Ok so since we’ve last seen each other I have been to a few doctors and had a few tests done. I went for my MRI’s…again and made it through the whole thing this time. Happy yes, but my buddy Joe was not there to tend to my every need. The really sweet girl at the desk was there though and she definitely remembered who I was. She cheered me on like an NFL cheerleader man. How can you not go through with it with that kind of support? So I remembered to ask for music this time and with the help of Bob Marley and Destiny’s Child annnnnd 2 valume I did it. She was so proud of me the girl at the desk. LOL. It was very sweet of her to give me her moral support and for that I thank you front desk girl. So later that day my Dr. called me with some good news finally. No active lesions, no new lesions and there was slight improvement. I was so happy to hear this news.
Now the swiss cheese brain is out of the way onto the liver, stomach, and lungs. The liver is fine; the 4 month rash had nothing to do with my liver. The gastro actually chuckled a bit when I told him that my dermatologist thought it could be from my liver. I still need MORE blood work and a sono but I am in no rush for either. Next the pulmonary. Who would have thought I would get answers to my stomach issues from? Not me that’s for sure…but I did. I have been having trouble breathing and heaviness in my chest for a while. My heart is fine so it isn’t that. My PFT (pulmonary function test) was perfect, blood pressure down, and lungs sound clear. The nurse asked if I had a recent chest x-ray so I told her I had a pre-op in February so she called for a copy. The Dr. looked at my test results and asked why I was there so I told him. Then he looked at the chest x-ray and asked why I had it done, so I told him. He then proceeds to tell me what it said, which no one else did. Apparently my lap band has caused more trouble than it’s worth. He tells me that my stomach and esophagus are up in my chest along with a hiatal hernia. He then proceeds to tell me all of my symptoms before I could tell him. He hit the nail on the head. My duodenum is pushing on my trachea and that’s why I can’t breathe.
So something to help fix one issue caused a whole bunch of new issues. It’s never a dull moment. He also said that unfortunately this could be a permanent problem. GREAT! I have enough permanent problems; I would like this one to go away. The treatment, eat standing up…yes like a horse, stand for twenty minutes after eating, and you guessed it more medication. At this point my pill case is looking like a bag of skittles. A change in diet as well, no chocolate, caffeine, tomatoes, lemons, anything acidy. He’s trying to kill me I tell you. I need to repeat the x-ray in October and hopefully my stomach drops. Who says that in a normal conversation? I do apparently. Hi I’m Susan; my stomach is in my chest. Only me I guess. If it can happen, it usually does. SO this is where I am at as of today. Happy trails everyone.
