Dawn B.
7th Year anniversary
Aug 02, 2012
Wow! Long time...
Aug 04, 2010
I'm far from the poster child of post-op behavior, but I think my success is largely to do that I've found balance in my life that I didn't have before and that's supported by the fact that my body doesn't me to eat to far off track without making me pay for it. :o)
My upper abdomen pain returned, so the exploratory surgery didn't solve the issue, but at least the pain no longer goes off the richter scale and the the episodes often can be stopped very quickly. They really seem to be related to excess gas most of the time. Who knows, but I haven't gone back to the doctors as they all said there was nothing else they could do.
I hope all who read my blog find it helpful and jus know that you, and no one else, controls your post-op success.
Happy 4th Anniversary!
Aug 21, 2009
On some really good fronts - I've lost 10lbs in the last 6 months - with no conscious effort on my part so am I down to 138 - only 3 lbs above my original goal. Now, 3 years ago when I reached it my heart hated being that low so I raised it to 140-145, but so far I'm doing good. I'm also dating for the first time in 14 plus years! The things that come up with that is kinda weird. How many 46 year old women have to ask their doctor of 14 years about birth control for the first time?
I'm still doing well as far as the upper abdomen attacks and I finally got a cortisone shot on Aug. 12th so my low back in feeling much, much better; just in time for school starting up again.
Goals for this next year - to continue where I'm at. I seem to be successful doing what I'm doing. We have such a great tool and I'm thankful that it's one that was available for me. Now I just need a similar one for money and my life would be perfect!
Update time...
Jul 03, 2009
I'm still maintaining between 140 & 145 - usually right in the middle, so I'm quite happy. I can't believe I'm coming up on my 4 year anniversary.
Endoscopy
Feb 18, 2009
Well, after a joke of a scheduling mess I had my endoscopy today. The only issue was minor gastritis. Dr. Reddy took a biopsy to check for h. pylori and we'll decide what the next step is when that comes back. The only issue on the bloodwork was slightly elevated liver enzymes again. - In other words, still something is irrating that area of my body, but we don't seem to have a clue what.
1/2 the results are in...
Feb 16, 2009
Abdominal Pain Update
Feb 13, 2009
Well, the attacks continue - mostly what I call 1/2 attacks. The burn pain ramps up but doesn't become the stabbing pain. I've only had 1 of those since December. I finally was able to see Dr. Reddy - the GI doctor on Wednesday. He semi-read the 3 pages of notes I sent ahead, asked some questions, and pushed around my stomach/liver area. His thought - probably stone in the bile duct and I quote "The problem is how we get to it." Had a repeat of the CBC, Lipase & Amylase blood work and a MRCP that afternoon. Now I just wait for the results. He did say that if they come back normal then we'll either have Dr. Stone or him do an Endoscope of the stomach.
Yet another attack...
Jan 20, 2009
Blood Work Update
Jan 14, 2009
Well - guess I received good news today. Dr. Nichols left a msg for his assistant Cindy to pass along to me that said "blood work is looking better" and then I was asked what I want to do next. How do I know?! When I asked how much better so that I could try and make a decision she didn't know as she didn't have my chart in front of her. So, I decided that I'm going to ask my primary to request a new MRI of my midback since in 2000 I had protruding discs at T7 & T8 which is where the nerves come out for the gallbladder & pancreas. Maybe there's a chance they've gotten worse and they could be the irritant. If I have any more attacks then I'll either have Dr. Stone (Dr. Nichol's partner that specializes in upper GI) scope to see if there's an ucler &/or go back to the gastroenterologist.
Pancreatitis (???) Udate
Jan 08, 2009