Hurray! We'll be keeping an eye on you!

Hi Gala Dear Sister my heart goes out to you. It is bad enough not to feel good but to have to deal with so many that don't seem to care is awful. I hope this new test will reveal what this mass is and it will be something easily taken care of. You hang in there. I keep you in my prayers. Have a better day today!!! Alfie

I had my 3 mon. appt. yesterday. I was really hoping to see my surgeon - who my appt. was scheduled with. However, he was running an hour and half behind and they were starting to reschedule his afternoon appts. it was so bad. So when I showed up an hour early - because my Diatitian appt. was rescheduled because she was sick -- and I was already in town....*have you kept up w/this? LOL* They took me back and told me that I would see Debbie the PA. I saw her awhile ago and she was the one who told me I was eating something I shouldn't be to be sick all the time. Anyway - I bit my tongue and said sure send her in. But I expressed that I "REALLY" wanted to see Dr. Sunby. I told her what was going on. She went out in the hall and talked to Sunby. Then came back in and said "he was just in there your liver is just fine. there were no cysts on your liver and even if there were people live w/them all the time. No need to have the Contrast CT scan." I said "good don't want to anyway" We talked about my weightloss. She feels it is very good and what I am doing is fine. My B-1 is rather low and so she rx thiammine for that. I mentioned a few other things and then was on my way. I talked to the Coordinator for a while which was a good morale booster that I needed. On my way home my PCP - Mary called. I told her what Dr. S and Debbie said about the CT scan and she said that the cyst on my liver wasn't the only reason why radiologist reccom. more testing. She was very vague and said that there was also an abnormal soft tissue mass on my bladder. She encouraged me to keep the CT scan and was going to discuss it w/2 of the other drs in her office. Then today I made the appt. w/urologist. I got the run around to begin with and then just said "I've had it. If you can't/won't make the appt w/o seeing the CT scan then forget it. I will call my pcp and she can make the __ appt. I am more than frustrated if you can't tell and ready to throw in the towel". The nurse was very nice and said she was sorry. I had tried to explain to her what has been going on and she didn't listen. just kept saying she needed the ct report. after i lost my cool she was more willing to listen. So she made the appt. w/Dr. Hahnfeld for next Friday. She asked me to bring the films with me and so forth. Then later in the day she calls back when I was on my bus route. I return her call -- My appt. was changed to earlier in the day. Because she called the hospital and talked w/the radiologist and got the report and films of the CT from Monday. The appt. is now for a cystoscopy. Because there is concern of "mass" on my bladder. She also didn't go into detail just said the test on monday is crucial. Then Mary (pcp) calls back last this afternoon. Told me what was going on and why it is so important. Apparently there is what is called -- I am not spelling this right I know because I can't find any info on the internet about it..... "Uracho Remanent" If anyone knows what this is or how to spell it please let me know. Mary told me that it is when the umbilicus and bladder don't separate after birth like they are supposed to. In return causing a cyst that will get infected and cause problems later on in life. I said "Well, gee I'm 30 yrs old don't you think it would have caused more problems before this" She said she didn't know. Just knew this is what it was and that if this "thing" doens't go away on its own like it should have it generally requires surgery. Okay - see I know now why she didn't say anything. So that is my rambling update. If you got this far bless your heart!! Gala 305/242/???? 5"4'

Good to see you doing so well. Dehydration can be quite a problem. It will be hard but remember to sip, sip, sip all day long. It's easier to prevent the dehydration then it is to recoup from it. You will probably do through a "mourning" phase for food. That's pretty normal and for me at least it passed. Do what the doctors say and pamper yourself just a little bit. Good luck - Melody

Hello Everyone!! I am officially 1 week out & doing great!! I returned home last Saturday from the hospital & was very low key until yesterday. Oh, I am still taking it easy but, I am up walking more & feeling pretty good about myself. Thanks again for all the good wishes. I will go to the doctor tomorrow to have my staples out & see what I weigh. I had a little dehydration problem the day after surgery & was retaining fluid. The wonderful staff a Crosby Medical Center took care of me & I hope I have lost most of that fluid. They got most of it off that next day. But, said it would take a little time for my body to catch up. I will keep you posted on my results & progress. Liz S Post Op 10-07-2004