My *lovely* update

Monday: Call PCP to have a follow-up to last weeks hospitalization (chest pains - ruled to be non-cardiac, elevated liver enzymes). Appointment scheduled for next Tuesday. ARGH! Husband calls PCP. Got me appointment with NP for Thursday afternoon (hey, it's even in the same week how about that... whoo hoo!) Tuesday: PCP's office doesn't call cell phone - calls home and says "Can I come in at 3?" I don't get the message til late morning. Appointment goes to someone else. I call pissed off at the world. I do however get appointment Thursday afternoon with doctor herself. Better than NP. Determine that my problem seems to be my stomach. I cannot eat that much at one sitting anymore. Still have off and on light chest pains (that move around but is not gas). Stomach is sore (aka hurts a bit). Got some acid reflux going on. Call gastroenterologist's office at 9:30 to get appointment. Leave message. Wednesday: No call backs from any doctors. Thursday: Late morning. No call from gastro's office YET. Call again. Get told "It can take 2-3 days for them to call you back but they are good about calling back." HUH? Explain my situation..."chest pains...yadda yadda". Am allowed to leave yet another message. As of 5 pm today... STILL no call back. Afternoon - go see PCP. She got discharge info from hospital so she knew I was there and I fill her in on all the gory details. She thinks it probably is stomach aka our plumbing revision. She wants CT scan. She had another bypass patient that had a folding over bowel issue. She didn't hear lots of bowel sounds outta me (I did go potty this morning so I think that is working okay). She says I should definitely see endo. That he'll probably do an endoscopy. I tell her of issues getting gastro's office to call back. She says she'll call them. It was after their hours so who knows if it'll even matter. She ran liver enzymes, pancreatic enzyme values and selenium levels (I had a deficiency in this on my last labs) to follow-up on stuff. So, tomorrow I need to: 1. Schedule yet another CT scan 2. Get voodoo doll that looks like gastroenterologist's office staff and get busy and stick the snot out of it... Have a nice day. At least I still have a sense of humor through all of this... if not, I shudder to think what I'd be doing if I didn't...

OK Kathy! Enough of this stuff! Knock it off will ya!! Doctors don't give out frequent flyer miles! I have a question though...If our pounch doesn't make acid the way our remnant stomach does, how do you end up with reflux? I've heard of other people getting that but never had anyone to ask...just curious... Anyway, hope you get all this junk straight SOON! You're wearing me out...gonna have to go take a nap! Christine

We still produce some acid just not the quantity we used to. But you have raised a very interesting question, my dear! I dunno the answer! Oh, I wish I had this all straightened out too. Rest well, Kathy

Hope your feeling better soon. And your in my thoughts and prayers.

My goodness, Kathy. Sounds like a busy week. Hang in there! Jill

Hey YOU! Tell ya' what, you work on the CT appointment and I'll haul over some voodoo dolls for you to look through. Is next Saturday soon enough? Got 'em in about 10 different sizes, shapes, genders, etc. Heck, I'll even provide the PIN's, that's just the kinda friend I am. Sorry to hear, yet again, there are PROBLEMS still to be determined with more tests to follow. Man 'oh man - the constant visits to doctors, for both you and Rich, have got to be taxing your patience and overall positive attitude. I can imagine the aggra that comes with it all and the "unknown" is probably the most challenging part. This is gonna sound TOO simplistic, I know, but could it be ULCERS? Hang in there, yah yah, easier said then done - see you next Saturday - Lei

Lei, I'm really thinking as well as hoping it is simple as an ulcer. However, I have been on ulcer meds for over 2 months (carafate and protonix). I had pouch pain back in March so I've been on them for quite a while. It got better and then this happened. Looking forward to those voodoo dolls! Appreciate the fact you'll share them with me and even provide me with the pins. What a great friend, you are!! Hugs, Kathy

Hey Kathy, I'm so sorry your having all these problems. I have been having stomach issues lately too. I had my gallbladder taken out in Nov 2004 but continue to have 'attacks' like I did before my gallbladder was taken out. Had a couple really bad ones while I was pregnant. My sister who had WLS 3 weeks before me is having the same issues. Last Thursday the doctor ran some test to check my pancreas, liver and to test for the bacteria that causes ulcers. They called me Tuesday and told me that the bacteria level that causes ulcers was really high so they put me on Prepac for 2 weeks. They also said my iron and B-12 levels were really low so I'm anemic now. I do take my vitamins every day and they even had me up my B-12 but that doesn't seem to be working so I'll probably start getting the B-12 shot. Anyway, I'm told I have an ulcer but then they turn around and say that an ulcer 'should' not be causing the upper abdominal pain that shots through to my back. These attacks end up making me so sick that I can't keep anything in my stomach. Last week I had an attack Monday evening and was not able to eat again until Thursday. I go back on the 29th once I finish the Prepac and we'll go from there as far as what the next step will be. By any chance are you having any 'attacks' like I described above. Seems like I've heard of several WLS people having the same type of pain/problems including me and my sister. Again, I hope things get better for you and they figure out what is wrong and get it fixed. Hugs Teresa

My prayers go out to you. I love you, dearly, and appreciate your updating us on your progress. Side note: I have stuck with my PCP for 7 years, and one reason is ... when I call in the AM, I'm in that day! Also, he's right across the street from me, since I moved offices two months ago. Yesterday, when I went to see hime about this infected eye problem, he tells me he's thinking of retiring... especially since his wife's business is doing so well! Yikes! Take care and looking forward to seeing you soon! hugs, Tammy

Kathy, I don't get it, you look so healthy!!! What is this business!! But I will say this, and I mean this in a totally good way, it couldn't be happening to a more knowledgeable person!! For me, I am so easily confused with medical things I would be going in circles!! Okay, so I'm making my appointment for bone density today, and my appointment with a dermotologist for some new moles that have appeared. That is my medical update for the day!! Hope I can do it!! I'm so not as organized as you!! love donna