Here's a recap of events since February:
My annual liver check with my gastroenterologist resulted in me
getting a baseline test with new technology that was non-invasive. The
results of this test indicated that I have severe fatty liver
infiltration, and severe scarring on my liver. These indicate that I'm
at risk for more damage and liver cancer to occur. (Don't fret, it's
worse than it sounds...laugh. It's OK. I know things will be OK.)
When
I got the results from my gastroenterologist, I was told he wanted to
put me in a study in San Antonio. Well, that was a flop. I was not
accepted because I'm still on Tamoxifen (the medicine I take daily to
help keep cancer away). The nurse at the study center had the nerve to
tell me when I'm off of Tamoxifen for a year, I can come back to see if
there is a study that fits with my situation. (I call my situation,
Medical Unicorn Goddess, or MUG.)
After
mulling over this fantastic news (sarcasm), I took a step back and
reached out to the doctors at MD Anderson. I explained my medical
history and the recent result of this test. While cancer is not active
in me, thank goodness, I was determined to get a second look from a
group of doctors that took care of many that I know/knew.
The
team there was/is fantastic. They got me to the right group. Set up an
appointment and at the end of March, I was on my way, with Jeff. When we
arrived, I felt cared for from the minute we checked in at the Rotary
House (hotel attached to the hospital). I'm so blessed we could stay
there and was able to get my lab work done in the hotel. I had a great
meeting (about 2 hours) with the physician assistant and the doctor.
They asked questions, I asked questions and many things were revealed
that helped me know that my gastroenterologist was fired. The test
results didn't feel right and I was glad I went to get another point of
view on my MUG. Being there, I had a lot of information to process.
The
doctor ordered lab work looking at specific markers and said he would
call me with results. When he said he would call me, I expected to hear
from the physician assistant. Not the case. He called me himself and
gave me the news that I'm on the high end of normal - basically the
razor's edge of tipping into the danger zone.
Even when we returned home, I was still trying to decide what next step I was going to take.
I
mulled over what to do and then here comes May 1st. My appointment with
my primary care physician for my 3 month diabetes check up. I shared
the information with her about my visit at MD Anderson. She had not
received the lab results and asked me to reach out to get them.
May
2nd - I was able to get the files from my MD Anderson portal and send
to my primary care physician to review. While going through my day, the
nurse called with my lab results and said that I'm on track and met all
my goals - A1C is in line (which was MOST important). Hopefully in
another 3 months, she will reduce the number of meds I'm taking.
May
3rd - The nurse at my primary care's office called to say that my
doctor would like me to go to see a specialist at the Texas Liver
Institute, which now has an office in Austin. Now we are getting
somewhere. Appointment to be scheduled soon.
Whew! That was a lot of information. I hope all of this makes sense.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I'm hopeful that the next specialist will be able to bring me answers.
Item #9393: Be better than you were yesterday. Even if this means picking up your socks or washing your dishes.
I love your guts!
