My medical procedures, potential diagnoses and the month of April.

On Wednesday, I had an EGD and colonoscopy to determine the source of severe stomach pain, exhaustion and sudden weight gain.  Potential diagnoses ran from cancer to Crohn's.  It was nerve wracking, particularly the prep which involved drinking an extremely uncomfortable amount of nasty solution in two different time periods.  I think the very worst part was the extreme migraine it gave me and my inability to take anything the morning of the procedure.

The procedure itself was surprisingly easy.  I'd never had biopsies done (aside from the biopsy of hives in 2011 but that's a bit different).  I've also never been under anesthetic.  Needless to say, I was terrified.  While I joked with the staff and tried to maintain my cool, I developed a feeling of weights on my chest and they had to bring my husband in to calm it.

But once I was in the room and they administered the anesthetic I was out.  I did wake up in the middle of the procedure, but because I was able to react quickly (my eyes opened, I barely noticed the monitors and said "I'm awake."), they got me back out pretty quickly.  I officially woke up as they were wheeling me out of the room.

They say it takes 15 minutes to come out of the anesthesia they administered.  They also said I beat their record for coming out of it.  Bonus, since my primary fear of anesthesia is that my mom has a terrible time waking up from it.

There are no "official" words yet on what's causing my symptoms as I'm still waiting on test results, but I can tell you what the doctor told me.  He said that he saw no obvious symptoms of cancer, so we can likely rule that out.  We also ruled out diverticulitis, ruptured polyps and ulcers.

However, when you enter the lower part of my stomach, there are these "fingers" that help you digest food.  Mine are red and blunted, suggesting Celiac disease.  They took a biopsy.  Actually, they took several biopsies.  I'll have the results for those in 7-10 days from Wednesday, which makes it somewhere between the 2nd and the 5th of April.

In addition, they didn't see any symptoms for Crohn's in my stomach or bowels, but they couldn't access my small intestines obviously.  Because of that, I have another very minor procedure on the 3rd.  The doctor made it clear that Crohn's is still a moderate possibility since many of my symptoms match the disease.  Having it in just the small intestines is less common but not terribly unusual.

Then, on April 29th, I'll be meeting with a GI nurse to go over my final diagnosis and plan.  If I have Celiacs and/or Crohn's, I'll be referred to a dietitian to help make my diet congruent with my diagnosis.  I don't expect to have to make many changes since I keep a pretty clean diet (sans the very rare cheat day here and there).

During April, I'll be seeing an endocrinologist to work on my hypothyroidism.  While I'm level, I've never had an ultrasound of my thyroid to check for nodules.  I don't think I've had many of my vitamin levels checked in some time.  So I'd like to get everything under control there.

In addition, I'd like to see a derm about getting my psoriasis under control and checking out that spot of inflammation on my stomach.  It's never returned to mole form like it was several months ago, but it's still a patch of ever-so-slightly discolored skin and I want to make sure it's safe.

On top of this, I begin my exercise class on April 1st.  I'll also be nabbing a community center membership and going with my friends to work out on a regular basis.

While I was talking to my GI specialist after my procedures, he made note that it seemed like my stress levels were off the charts given some of my symptoms.  He suggested that I take a vacation or try to slow down.  Aaron and I talked about it and I think I'm taking off from character design only during the month of April.  I have the first week booked, but the last three weeks will be focused on my health.  This gives me time to run between the GI specialist, endocrinologist and dermatologist while working on exercising.  I could continue to work during this month, but my stress levels would remain high and I would be risking my health.  I'm not thrilled about taking the time off, but it's for the better.

As far as what that means for this blog, I'm not quite sure just yet.  I may have to totally reevaluate my goals over the next few days and update my year plan.  I still want to lose weight, maintain a garden and pay off 1/4th of Aaron's loans (my "Big Three"), but my career and personal goals may have to be shifted a bit.

Things have been surreal.  While I'm still waiting for answers, it's a relief to finally be on the road towards them.  And that's about all the update I have for now.

I Don't.

I don't regret fighting. It means that I felt I was something worth fighting for. I don't regret apologizing. It means that I can recognize my faults. And I don't regret walking away. It means I can forgive myself and others without losing my self-worth. I wash my hands of all of it.

Life Update Sunday, er, Thursday (v 3.13.14)

It has been forever since I've updated!  At least, outside the realm of health, anyway.  I have a ton of pictures of the pets to share, including a video, and some life updates.

However, before we get to that, I do want to touch on my health for just a moment.  I did get my ultrasound of my gallbladder back and it came out normal.  Sounds like nothing looks enlarged or inflamed, and I don't have any stones.  My blood work also came out normal.  Clear tests are a great relief, but they also feel like a smack in the face - so what the heck is wrong?  My EGD and colonoscopy appointment for the 26th still stands.  I'm not exactly looking forward to it, but on the bright side, I'll be really well cleaned out.

The first week in March was probably the worst part of whatever's going on with me.  I was absolutely exhausted all the time.  Dehydration and blood loss were giving me headaches, nausea and some crazy comas.

During that time, I temporarily resigned from my volunteer jobs.  I'm still on for TARA as an emergency volunteer.  I did sign up for ESFOA's adoption event on the 1st despite feeling poor, but had to cancel when I got a last minute gig.  I got the e-mail for this week's volunteer date, but I'm not going to sign up for it.  I think I need a few weeks off from volunteering so I can recuperate.

Tuesday of last week marked things getting a bit better.  I finally felt good enough to call for an eye exam so I could get contacts.  This would be my first pair of new contacts since my 2013 autoimmune scleritis incident.  Not only were they able to get me in same day, but I was able to get an all-clear from another eye doctor on my scleritis and walk out with new contacts!  I swung back by our complex, picked up Charli and we celebrated with some Headrush coffee.  One health problem conquered.  Just a few more to go!

Artie got his groom on a few weeks ago and he feels so much better!  We booked him to get groomed when the weather warmed up, then we were suddenly hit with a last-minute cold front.  Poor little guy.  Left him cold.  I'm glad he knows how to curl up into blankets on his own.

We also had a freak day where it was 70 in the afternoon, and ended in freezing rain.  Apparently, Apollo had never experienced rain hitting the sliding glass door.  Hilarity ensued. 

I am feeling better today, though it likely comes from sleeping for 24 hours straight.  I only got up for dinner around 6 pm, because bacon, but I quickly went right back to bed afterward.  I officially woke up at 11pm last night and have been on an impressive roll ever since.  I cleaned the apartment from top to bottom, walked the dog two miles, and took my LEARN lecture on paganism and Wicca from 10% to 80% complete.

Speaking of which, that's still happening on the 19th.  It's a closed lecture, but I'll let you all know how it goes!

I even found time to sit outside and watch the sun rise this morning.  Of course, not without an audience...

Next week is going to be hectic!  Really, everything starting Saturday is going to be crazy.  Saturday is the Liithi Lushede Coven public Ostara ritual, Sunday's the Pagan Garage Sale at Aquarius, I'm covering for a volunteer on Monday, Coffee Coven Tuesday night, my LEARN lecture on Wednesday morning, then my new Circle's Ostara ritual on Thursday.  There's not a single day next week that I have any down time once you factor in work.

This is his "Take me outside, pleeeaaassseee?" face.

This is "Take me outside, damn you" face.

Tonight is Mystic Treasure's Vision Board class.  I think I may have to pass.  I've been up since 11pm last night, so I highly doubt I'll still be with it at 7pm.  I really wanted to go though.  I guess I'll have to see how I am.

And with that, I think I need to get back to finishing off my LEARN lecture and working on commissions.

Though I think I might make some bacon first.  Mmm, bacon.