6 months 'til Christmas...
9 months 'til my Birthday...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
2008 - January
Jim and I start out the year with an organic diet. In December my mom had given me the book “The Great Physician’s Rx for Health and Wellness” by Jordan Rubin. The author tells his story of medical issues and while my issues have been no where near as severe as his, there were elements I could relate with all too well and it brought me to tears. So I am inspired to change my diet to natural, unprocessed foods and organic as much as possible for at least 40 days – if nothing else than to relieve my liver of some of its filtering work. Jim volunteers to do the same. I also decide to just cut out alcohol all together; so New Year’s Eve I had my last drinks. It took a while to get used to the diet as it is a lot of work to eat so fresh. But Jim and I were both feeling better AND losing weight.
January 7th - we met with the new liver specialist, Dr. K and I really like him. He’s easy to talk to, seems patient and motivated to get to the bottom of my case. I tell my story and explain how we are trying to start a family and hoping that more clarity on my liver situation would give Dr. OB comfort in proceeding with more aggressive treatment.
He has a preliminary guess as to what I have and it is called Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). We are excited at the prospect of having an actual diagnosis with a name and potential treatment. Dr. K will pull all my information from the first GI doctor and run new blood tests and wants to know how I feel about him basically starting from scratch. I told him I was fine with that as far as non-invasive tests were concerned, but wanted to pause before doing anything invasive (such as a liver biopsy) and really make sure I understand why it would be necessary. That was fine with him.
Alkaline Phospate: 701 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 139 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 194 [1-55]
Dr. K also asked if I had any rashes or other skin stuff. I pointed out to him a spot on my left shoulder and he didn’t think it was related to my liver and guessed it was ringworm. He couldn’t do anything about that so suggested I see my general doc.
January 8th - I called the Primary Doctor’s office and they got me in that day to see the nurse. She didn’t think it was ringworm and didn’t know what it was. So she gave me some cream to put on it so I could “wait and see”.
January 7th - we met with the new liver specialist, Dr. K and I really like him. He’s easy to talk to, seems patient and motivated to get to the bottom of my case. I tell my story and explain how we are trying to start a family and hoping that more clarity on my liver situation would give Dr. OB comfort in proceeding with more aggressive treatment.
He has a preliminary guess as to what I have and it is called Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). We are excited at the prospect of having an actual diagnosis with a name and potential treatment. Dr. K will pull all my information from the first GI doctor and run new blood tests and wants to know how I feel about him basically starting from scratch. I told him I was fine with that as far as non-invasive tests were concerned, but wanted to pause before doing anything invasive (such as a liver biopsy) and really make sure I understand why it would be necessary. That was fine with him.
Alkaline Phospate: 701 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 139 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 194 [1-55]
Dr. K also asked if I had any rashes or other skin stuff. I pointed out to him a spot on my left shoulder and he didn’t think it was related to my liver and guessed it was ringworm. He couldn’t do anything about that so suggested I see my general doc.
January 8th - I called the Primary Doctor’s office and they got me in that day to see the nurse. She didn’t think it was ringworm and didn’t know what it was. So she gave me some cream to put on it so I could “wait and see”.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
2007 - Copays, Copays and Copays
January – The year started out with a really ugly case of the flu. My tummy is really upset and never really gets better. The call also comes from the general doc with the ultra sound results which reveal that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This is why I have irregular cycles.
February - April – The “Voodoo” Doctor…now, I will try to describe what I mean by a “voodoo” doctor. This is the term I have come to use to refer to the chiropractor / naturalistic / homeopathic / etc kind of people that my parents have gone to for years. I can’t ever adequately explain what they do and that’s part of why I just say “voodoo”. I, too, have seen these kinds of “voodoo” people off and on at my parents’ suggestion and I do believe that their treatments can be helpful for some people; unfortunately I can’t say that I personally have had much success.
So I was resistant to the suggestion once again and this time my dad sat me down very seriously to urge me to go. Well, when a dad talks so earnestly, a daughter takes care to listen. I went to this doctor in February and she exuded confidence that she could help my tummy problems, my itching, and the conception process. By the time April rolled around, I had spent more money than I was happy about (as this was not covered by my insurance) and couldn’t point to one issue being improved. Too-da-loo Voodoo!
May
Alkaline Phospate: 631 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 148 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 178 [1-55]
June – GI doc decides it is time to do a colonoscopy. This procedure results in the diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) also known as Colitis. This month Jim and I also met with the OB-GYN for the first time. With the PCOS diagnosis, she puts me on Metformin which should help to regulate my cycles. This time the OB utters those favorite words of mine…“wait and see.”
July – With the IBD diagnosis, GI doc has me start taking Asacol. My body revolts! Just days after starting this medication I am in EXTREME pain and feeling really bad. I wimped out one night while helping a friend clean her newly bought house, and the next day had to cancel on two social plans (and I HATE cancelling!) Jim and I decide I need to go to the emergency room. They do x-rays and tests and all the fun stuff they do. The steroid prednisone is added to the mix to help the inflammation, vicodin (which I quickly come to LOVE!!) as needed for the pain and some sort of anti-nausea medicine – just in case all them other drugs make me feel nauseated. Don’t I feel like a walking pharmacy?!?!?
Alkaline Phospate: 683 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 91 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 176 [1-55]
About a week after this hospital visit, Jim and I left for our big cross country road trip from California to Michigan and back – 18 days. It was full of adventures and while I didn’t feel my best, I wasn’t as bad as I feared I would be. Energy was one of the biggest factors, so we did some things a little slower, but I don’t think I ever had to not do something as a result of my puniness.
August – Had a follow up with GI doc and we adjusted some meds and did more blood tests. The numbers had come down quite a bit mostly due to the prednisone; but GI doc doesn’t like this medicine for long term.
Alkaline Phospate: 380 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 74 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 116 [1-55]
September – The first follow up with OB. No change to my cycles. Give it more time.
December – We met with the OB again. My cycles have not regulated from the Metformin and obviously we haven’t gotten pregnant yet. Unfortunately the OB is uncomfortable with the “unknown liver issue” and doesn’t want to put me on Clomid until she gets comfortable with that. She strongly recommends I get a second opinion on my liver.
Alkaline Phospate: n/a
AST/SGOT: 223 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 299 [1-55]
February - April – The “Voodoo” Doctor…now, I will try to describe what I mean by a “voodoo” doctor. This is the term I have come to use to refer to the chiropractor / naturalistic / homeopathic / etc kind of people that my parents have gone to for years. I can’t ever adequately explain what they do and that’s part of why I just say “voodoo”. I, too, have seen these kinds of “voodoo” people off and on at my parents’ suggestion and I do believe that their treatments can be helpful for some people; unfortunately I can’t say that I personally have had much success.
So I was resistant to the suggestion once again and this time my dad sat me down very seriously to urge me to go. Well, when a dad talks so earnestly, a daughter takes care to listen. I went to this doctor in February and she exuded confidence that she could help my tummy problems, my itching, and the conception process. By the time April rolled around, I had spent more money than I was happy about (as this was not covered by my insurance) and couldn’t point to one issue being improved. Too-da-loo Voodoo!
May
Alkaline Phospate: 631 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 148 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 178 [1-55]
June – GI doc decides it is time to do a colonoscopy. This procedure results in the diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) also known as Colitis. This month Jim and I also met with the OB-GYN for the first time. With the PCOS diagnosis, she puts me on Metformin which should help to regulate my cycles. This time the OB utters those favorite words of mine…“wait and see.”
July – With the IBD diagnosis, GI doc has me start taking Asacol. My body revolts! Just days after starting this medication I am in EXTREME pain and feeling really bad. I wimped out one night while helping a friend clean her newly bought house, and the next day had to cancel on two social plans (and I HATE cancelling!) Jim and I decide I need to go to the emergency room. They do x-rays and tests and all the fun stuff they do. The steroid prednisone is added to the mix to help the inflammation, vicodin (which I quickly come to LOVE!!) as needed for the pain and some sort of anti-nausea medicine – just in case all them other drugs make me feel nauseated. Don’t I feel like a walking pharmacy?!?!?
Alkaline Phospate: 683 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 91 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 176 [1-55]
About a week after this hospital visit, Jim and I left for our big cross country road trip from California to Michigan and back – 18 days. It was full of adventures and while I didn’t feel my best, I wasn’t as bad as I feared I would be. Energy was one of the biggest factors, so we did some things a little slower, but I don’t think I ever had to not do something as a result of my puniness.
August – Had a follow up with GI doc and we adjusted some meds and did more blood tests. The numbers had come down quite a bit mostly due to the prednisone; but GI doc doesn’t like this medicine for long term.
Alkaline Phospate: 380 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 74 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 116 [1-55]
September – The first follow up with OB. No change to my cycles. Give it more time.
December – We met with the OB again. My cycles have not regulated from the Metformin and obviously we haven’t gotten pregnant yet. Unfortunately the OB is uncomfortable with the “unknown liver issue” and doesn’t want to put me on Clomid until she gets comfortable with that. She strongly recommends I get a second opinion on my liver.
Alkaline Phospate: n/a
AST/SGOT: 223 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 299 [1-55]
Monday, June 16, 2008
Fun with Flowers and My Camera
Saturday Jim and I worked really, really hard around the house. We were both EXHAUSTED!!! Then Sunday was a beautiful day that it was nice to just relax a bit and I decided to bring out the camera to capture some of my flowers that are so beautifully blooming. I have always had a hard time getting gardenias to grow and it makes me so sad because my mom has always had them and my grandma loves them. So it was only right for me to grow them, but the plants would always die. Well, I am proud to say that I finally have beautiful white gardenia buds. And the fragrance is just AMAZING!!!
My dad has also been on my case to learn how to use the macro lens I bought from a friend a few months ago. Either I'm really not using it right, or it's much more limiting than I ever imagined. You really can only capture a very teensy-tiny area, and getting it to focus can be almost acrobatic at times (not that it's a problem, I'll just have to get used to it). But here are my morning glories in the glorious sunlight.
(imagine the angelic chorus here)
Isn't the sunlight here just gorgeous?!?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
3751 San Diego Steam Excursion
Ever since the San Diego steam trip on June 1st, Jim has been sharing with me tons of photos and video from all the various sources. This one I had to share as it is an excellent news piece that really captures the spirit of that day. I really feel it comes the closest to being able to share with you what the trip was like. Makes me so proud of all of hubby's hard work.Just click on the link below (it may be a little sticky, but I did get it to work). Keep your eyes peeled when the reporter is in the cab, you may see a familiar face…
Rare American Steam Locomotive Back in the Southland
Rare American Steam Locomotive Back in the Southland
Sunday, June 8, 2008
2006 - Lots of Tests
January – Blood tests again – YAY! The results? Elevated liver functions (LFTs). One went up, two went down.
Alkaline Phospate: 239 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 42 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 77 [1-55]
I stopped taking the pill and any other medication for anything to try to cleanse my system of junk – including pain relievers – that might affect my liver. Pretty sure I cut back on the alcohol too; I can’t remember if I cut it out all together at this time.
April – Blood tests. LFTs skyrocketed up. Way up into the wild blue yonder.
Alkaline Phospate: 553 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 97 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 215 [1-55]
GI doc says, well it can take a while for the birth control to flush out of your system. “Let’s wait and see” (these were to become my new favorite words) and do more blood tests in 3 months.
July / August – LFTs still up.
Alkaline Phospate: 611 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 94 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 163 [1-55]
Time for a liver biopsy. The biopsy is an interesting procedure. I'm awake and they locally numb the area on my right side just below my ribs. One guy is watching through ultrasound while another sticks the needle (or whatever) in that numb area. He grabs a couple pieces of my liver and viola! It's done. Then I have to spend the rest of the day laying on my side to make sure I don't bleed to death (dont' you love the drama?! It's just means you get waited on hand and foot - YIPPEE!!) But all in all it's a pretty simple procedure, just not one you want to do very often.
The biopsy confirms that I have hepatitis. Now, hepatitis simply means “inflamed liver.” There are many different types of hepatitis. And lucky me, mine is of the “non-descript” (my next favorite words) variety. I ask if we can name it after me. :) GI doc doesn’t know how I got it. He says it may get worse, it may not. We’ll “wait and see” – there are those lovely words again.
September – Shortly after moving into our new house, hubby and I decide to officially start trying to have a baby. Jim was very emotionally moved by the death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. He felt a strong wave of how precious life is and didn’t want to waste any more time. I think also finally being established in our house, it was like we finally had all our ducks in a row.
November / December – I haven’t had a period for a very long time. I am hopeful that I am pregnant and hope to be able to share the news with family at Thanksgiving. But pregnancy tests keep coming back negative and I don’t really feel I have pregnancy symptoms. I finally call my general doc, and he sends me for blood work which confirms I am not pregnant. The next step is to schedule for an ultra sound at the end of December. At some point in here I am also put on progesterone to kick start my cycle again. The day after Christmas, I have the ultra sound and I also started feeling pretty lousy by that evening.
Alkaline Phospate: 239 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 42 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 77 [1-55]
I stopped taking the pill and any other medication for anything to try to cleanse my system of junk – including pain relievers – that might affect my liver. Pretty sure I cut back on the alcohol too; I can’t remember if I cut it out all together at this time.
April – Blood tests. LFTs skyrocketed up. Way up into the wild blue yonder.
Alkaline Phospate: 553 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 97 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 215 [1-55]
GI doc says, well it can take a while for the birth control to flush out of your system. “Let’s wait and see” (these were to become my new favorite words) and do more blood tests in 3 months.
July / August – LFTs still up.
Alkaline Phospate: 611 [27-142]
AST/SGOT: 94 [1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 163 [1-55]
Time for a liver biopsy. The biopsy is an interesting procedure. I'm awake and they locally numb the area on my right side just below my ribs. One guy is watching through ultrasound while another sticks the needle (or whatever) in that numb area. He grabs a couple pieces of my liver and viola! It's done. Then I have to spend the rest of the day laying on my side to make sure I don't bleed to death (dont' you love the drama?! It's just means you get waited on hand and foot - YIPPEE!!) But all in all it's a pretty simple procedure, just not one you want to do very often.
The biopsy confirms that I have hepatitis. Now, hepatitis simply means “inflamed liver.” There are many different types of hepatitis. And lucky me, mine is of the “non-descript” (my next favorite words) variety. I ask if we can name it after me. :) GI doc doesn’t know how I got it. He says it may get worse, it may not. We’ll “wait and see” – there are those lovely words again.
September – Shortly after moving into our new house, hubby and I decide to officially start trying to have a baby. Jim was very emotionally moved by the death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. He felt a strong wave of how precious life is and didn’t want to waste any more time. I think also finally being established in our house, it was like we finally had all our ducks in a row.
November / December – I haven’t had a period for a very long time. I am hopeful that I am pregnant and hope to be able to share the news with family at Thanksgiving. But pregnancy tests keep coming back negative and I don’t really feel I have pregnancy symptoms. I finally call my general doc, and he sends me for blood work which confirms I am not pregnant. The next step is to schedule for an ultra sound at the end of December. At some point in here I am also put on progesterone to kick start my cycle again. The day after Christmas, I have the ultra sound and I also started feeling pretty lousy by that evening.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Intro to Web Design
Last night I started a new class called Intro to Web Design. It's a quick 5 week course online teaching the basics of HTML. Off and on I have wanted to learn some web design stuff, but didn't really feel I had the time to focus on it. Also, Jim works on our family website every now and then and I would love to have more knowledge to be able to help in that process more than just writing the text for pix and stuff. Then of course there is this blog which I would love to dress up better. So you may see some changes as I play around.
I've already been called a "blogging nerd" by one of my supportive friends. ;-p
As I was leaving class I realized how much I really was looking forward to learning something new. It reminded me that years ago I envisioned that some day I would love to take different classes just to learn different stuff - underwater-basket-weaving anyone? I guess I'm at the place in life now. YIPPEE!! Bring on the knowledge!!
I've already been called a "blogging nerd" by one of my supportive friends. ;-p
As I was leaving class I realized how much I really was looking forward to learning something new. It reminded me that years ago I envisioned that some day I would love to take different classes just to learn different stuff - underwater-basket-weaving anyone? I guess I'm at the place in life now. YIPPEE!! Bring on the knowledge!!
Monday, June 2, 2008
2005 - In the Beginning
May / June – After one month of wedded bliss, I became aware that I was itching - a lot. The itchies moved all around but I had no rash; it was causing me to create scratches on my skin. Maybe I was allergic to something – hopefully not my husband! I saw my general doctor, he ordered blood tests and recommended I take Clariton to relieve the itchies. The blood tests came back normal with the exception of elevated liver enzymes. Hoping it was a fluke (maybe I had had some alcohol too recently) we did a second test. Not a fluke - still elevated.
Alkaline Phospate: 163 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 37 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 72 [1-55]
So I was then referred to a gastroenterologist (GI) who could specialize in what might be happening with my liver.
August – I met the liver specialist (GI) who ran more blood tests. Guess what – yep, elevated liver numbers.
Alkaline Phospate: 195 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 66 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 112 [1-55]
At this time in life I was working full time, trying to finish my college degree, and four-months newly married. I was also on birth control. GI doc said the pills could be causing my liver to be inflamed. I wasn’t ready to risk the addition of kids into the mix yet and I would be done with school in January – I would go off the pill then. So we wait.
Alkaline Phospate: 163 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 37 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 72 [1-55]
So I was then referred to a gastroenterologist (GI) who could specialize in what might be happening with my liver.
August – I met the liver specialist (GI) who ran more blood tests. Guess what – yep, elevated liver numbers.
Alkaline Phospate: 195 [Normal range: 27-142]
AST/SGOT: 66 [Normal: 1-45]
ALT (SGPT): 112 [1-55]
At this time in life I was working full time, trying to finish my college degree, and four-months newly married. I was also on birth control. GI doc said the pills could be causing my liver to be inflamed. I wasn’t ready to risk the addition of kids into the mix yet and I would be done with school in January – I would go off the pill then. So we wait.
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