Quick Update

[BackInTex]

I know its been two weeks and I should have posted sooner, but life has been hectic.

So, Monday two weeks ago I was told 'no hepatitis' and to go get an ultra-sound on my gall bladder and liver.

So I go to the doctor's office to pick up the orders, go over to the hospital and spend the requisite 4 hours for 45 minutes worth of procedures. Had to drink two bottles and that fantastic contrast solutions for the CT scanner. Yum!

I had the ultra-sound first, then the CT scan. After the CT scan the technician told me the doctor would get the results within 48 hours. Excuse me?!

So I leave the hospital and go back to the doctor's office. He sees me, and I tell him the 48 hour story. He smiles and says he'll call them. 15 minutes later he comes in and says "You've got gall stones." Also that one was completely blocking my common bile duct and it was causing all of the bile to back up into my liver and thus the decreased liver functions and the lovely yellow shade of my eyes and skin.

After consulting with two specialists (one gastrologist (sp?) and one surgeon) my doctor told me to go home, get packed, and return to check into the hospital for a procedure in the morning to remove the stone blocking the duct. Then depending on how that goes, maybe having the gall bladder taken out because it is choc-full-o-stones. And I will continue to have these problems unless it is removed.

So I leave the Dr. office and head home. My wife was going to the Astros game with a friend, so she decided to cancel to take me to the hospital. I said 'no, you are going to the game.' No reason to miss an Astros game just because I was in a hospital bed. She can come to the hospital in the morning after the procedure. Then I'll need some company. So she and her friend dropped me off at the hospital on the way to the game. The nurses loved that story.

The next day, the procedure went fine and I felt 100% better when I came to. But they decided to not take the gall bladder out just yet. I was pretty jaundiced and my liver was stressed so they decided to wait until I healed from the blockage.

So today I go back to the doctor and consult with the surgeon about scheduling the surgery. I think I'll have it done next week. It should be an outpatient procedure with about 4-5 days recovery at home.

All in all, this seems to be the best outcome; no hepatitis, no cancer, no liver failure.

I really notice all the restaurant ads now with all the fatty offerings. They turn my stomach to watch. What used to look so good now gives me mock pains in my gut. I'm not sure if that will change once I completely heal, but I doubt/hope I'll not return to my previous high fat diet.

[peacock2121]

Glad you are on the mend.

I am also glad that I have been out of the loop and was not worried about you.

[gsabc]

No complaints from here on the delay, as long as you're still around to post. Glad they found a real cause and that they, and you, are able to deal with it. All the best for what's left to be done. And it isn't all that hard to avoid the fatty stuff in restaurants. Even the worst offenders have some reasonably tasty "lower fat" choices now.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

As someone once said: Nothing Could Be Finer Than a Crisis That Is Minor in the Morning

[MarleysGh0st]

All in all, this seems to be the best outcome; no hepatitis, no cancer, no liver failure.

Very good, BiT!

A little crummy that you have to go back a second time for another operation, but these are pretty simple procedures. Did they say if the gall bladder removal will be laparoscopic surgery?

[earendel]

I know its been two weeks and I should have posted sooner, but life has been hectic.

So, Monday two weeks ago I was told 'no hepatitis' and to go get an ultra-sound on my gall bladder and liver.

So I go to the doctor's office to pick up the orders, go over to the hospital and spend the requisite 4 hours for 45 minutes worth of procedures. Had to drink two bottles and that fantastic contrast solutions for the CT scanner. Yum!

I had the ultra-sound first, then the CT scan. After the CT scan the technician told me the doctor would get the results within 48 hours. Excuse me?!

So I leave the hospital and go back to the doctor's office. He sees me, and I tell him the 48 hour story. He smiles and says he'll call them. 15 minutes later he comes in and says "You've got gall stones." Also that one was completely blocking my common bile duct and it was causing all of the bile to back up into my liver and thus the decreased liver functions and the lovely yellow shade of my eyes and skin.

After consulting with two specialists (one gastrologist (sp?) and one surgeon) my doctor told me to go home, get packed, and return to check into the hospital for a procedure in the morning to remove the stone blocking the duct. Then depending on how that goes, maybe having the gall bladder taken out because it is choc-full-o-stones. And I will continue to have these problems unless it is removed.

So I leave the Dr. office and head home. My wife was going to the Astros game with a friend, so she decided to cancel to take me to the hospital. I said 'no, you are going to the game.' No reason to miss an Astros game just because I was in a hospital bed. She can come to the hospital in the morning after the procedure. Then I'll need some company. So she and her friend dropped me off at the hospital on the way to the game. The nurses loved that story.

The next day, the procedure went fine and I felt 100% better when I came to. But they decided to not take the gall bladder out just yet. I was pretty jaundiced and my liver was stressed so they decided to wait until I healed from the blockage.

So today I go back to the doctor and consult with the surgeon about scheduling the surgery. I think I'll have it done next week. It should be an outpatient procedure with about 4-5 days recovery at home.

All in all, this seems to be the best outcome; no hepatitis, no cancer, no liver failure.

I really notice all the restaurant ads now with all the fatty offerings. They turn my stomach to watch. What used to look so good now gives me mock pains in my gut. I'm not sure if that will change once I completely heal, but I doubt/hope I'll not return to my previous high fat diet.

Wow, I missed all this while I was on vacation. Glad to hear that the cause was minor. It's a shame you have to go through another procedure, but if they do it laparoscopically it will not be a major ordeal.

[nitrah55]

As these things go, I guess this is on the good end of the meter.

I love the women dropping you at the hospital and going to the ball game. At least they weren't going to see "Mamma Mia."

Happy to hear you're getting better. Prayers will continue, however.

[gsabc]

As someone once said: Nothing Could Be Finer Than a Crisis That Is Minor in the Morning

I believe this was a Charles Osgood book title.

[Bob Juch]

I told you so.

After you have your gall bladder removed you probably will be producing so much bile that you will want to eat fatty foods to use it up. Stock up on the Charmin first!

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I am glad for your sake that the problem was fixed and it wasn't as serious as the doctors originally thought it was.

[geoffil]

I am glad to hear you are recovering and feeling better.

It seems like gallbladder issues have been the illness du jour for this bored.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

As someone once said: Nothing Could Be Finer Than a Crisis That Is Minor in the Morning

I believe this was a Charles Osgood book title.

It is, I always liked that title

[mrkelley23]

Never had gallstones myself, but you must have a high pain tolerance if you and the doctors were calling it unspecified abdominal pain. My wife described it as ten times worse than unmedicated childbirth, and when I finally called to have her taken to the ER, she was in fetal position on the bathroom floor and incoherent with the pain. Your manliness may have actually impeded the diagnosis, because the docs wouldn't believe anyone could confuse a gallstone with digestive pain.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Beebs52]

Wow. I'm glad it was what it was and not what it could be. Take it slow and easy.

[kayrharris]

Get well soon, BiT.

[ksbirchtree]

I really notice all the restaurant ads now with all the fatty offerings. They turn my stomach to watch. What used to look so good now gives me mock pains in my gut. I'm not sure if that will change once I completely heal, but I doubt/hope I'll not return to my previous high fat diet.

I had been wondering/worrying about you... liver problems can be very nasty. Glad it's "just" the gallbladder. Had mine out 19 years ago -- the old fashioned way. The laproscopic procedure is much easier. However, in the 2 weeks before surgery I did live on cottage cheese and toast -- the only things I could tolerate.

Christy, the other one who quilts

[SportsFan68]

All best wishes for a good outcome -- let us know for sure when so we can increase our good vibage output on that day.

[hermillion]

Whew! Glad they figured it out, and it was not as serious as it could have been. Baby yourself, and feel better soon.

And, I'm so glad the women in your life have their priorities straight!

[tlynn78]

Just, YAY!


t.

[mellytu74]

BiT --

So very glad to read that it's not more serious than this.

Good luck with the surgery and speedy recovery.

[silvercamaro]

Whew! Like everyone else, I'm sorry you were miserable for a while, but delighted that the diagnosis wasn't something far more dire. Feel good! Recover quickly from the surgery! Get yourself back to the ball park ASAP to celebrate!

[a1mamacat]

Glad to hear the news, and that it is relatively easier to fix than Hep.

Keeping up the good thoughts.

[AlphaDummy]

It isn't often that one could classify gallstones as Most Excellent News.

Glad to hear it wasn't something more severe. I was worried...