An update

    Ok, after many roadblocks and walls, I am going to update you on my status.   On Friday, October 29th, I am having a TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portalsystemic Shunt) procedure done.  The cut into my neck and thread a wire through my veins(Transjugular) to my liver.  They then proceed to drill a hole through my liver from my portal vein to the hepatic vein(Intrahepatic Portal Systemic).  Then a tube (usually made of Gore-Tex) is place in the hole to keep it open (the Shunt).   This procedure will lower my portal hypertension.  The portal hypertension causes me to have esophageal varices, which 3 years ago ruptured and caused me to nearly die by bleeding out.  The procedure will lower that pressure and should eliminate those varices.  It will also allow the rest of the engorged blood vessels in/on my stomach and intestines to shrink.  My spleen will also shrink (I have an enlarged spleen).  My white blood cell count will increase.  It is consistent,  but low.  Low enough that if I had any surgery, I’d require a platelet transfusion.  The pressure could also be causing damage to my kidneys.  They are working fine now, but long term, no one knows.  The risk of death for the weight loss surgery I want will be reduced from 20% to 5%.    The benefits of the TIPS procedure outweigh the risks by a substantial amount.   So, I drive out to Cleveland Thursday Oct 28th, have the procedure Friday, stay over night, and released Saturday to drive home.   On to weight loss surgery. Pending Insurance approval, I have a date of October 1.  I will have to be there on September 29th and stay until the following Monday.  Then it’s home for 2 weeks of R&R, after which, I can go back to work.

OMG...I'm so sorry that you have to go through such trials to get ready for the surgery.  Good luck...please keep us updated.

Rosemary

Glad to hear you are getting the help you need.  Surgery will be really soon for you!!  Let us know how you are doing!!