updatey-cakes

[mamajoan]

Apparently no one cares, but whatever, I'm updating anyway.

My appointment with the gastroenterologist this morning went well. Amazingly, the form that I faxed last week did its magic, causing the hospital to send my records over to the gastro's office; so he actually had read up on the various procedures I went through last year regarding my gallbladder and related ducts and so forth. He had a few theories about what could be causing my ongoing "episodes," although of course it's hard for him to say for sure since the episodes are infrequent and there's no obvious trigger. But he took some blood to test for a few things, and scheduled me for an ultrasound in a couple of weeks. He also strongly suggested that I try harder to stick to a low-fat diet in the interim, siiiiigh. :(

Apparently the working theories are a) a stomach infection unrelated to the gall bladder stuff, or b) gallstones (they CAN form in the liver, as previously established here, but he said that's pretty uncommon) or c) unspecified other problems related to my ducts. He said, which I hadn't realized although now it seems obvious (insert forehead-smack here), that the little hole the other doctor cut in my duct during the second ERCP (endoscopy) has probably closed itself up by now, so possibly the problem is a gallstone trying to pass through that opening but not having enough room to do so. He seemed to feel that a repeat ERCP might be necessary but he wasn't going to say for sure until he sees the results of the tests. The blood tests will tell him whether I have a stomach infection and/or am jaundiced; the ultrasound will give him some idea of the status of that opening in the duct. And then we'll see.

So think good thoughts for the results of these tests, although I'm not sure whether that means "hope they're negative" or "hope they turn something up"...how about "hope they turn up something that's easy to treat without major dietary changes"? ;)

Also, he asked me whether anyone in my family has ever had stomach cancer, and I said no, but later I remembered that my father had some kind of bizarre, very rare form of cancer that I think might have been stomach-related. (metafrantic if you're reading this, do you remember?) So I might have to call him and get the details on that, although, I don't know as I want to start thinking that way just yet, if you know what I mean. sigh.

In other news, Ruthie's first day at daycare seems to be going well. She was clingy at first, but loosened up once she saw the Cheerios ;) and even more so when they put on some music (she danced along with several other toddlers -- the cute was indescribable) and then she discovered the miniature slide, with miniature steps leading up to it, that they have in the toddler room, and she was hooked. So I slipped out, which earned me a lecture from the assistant director of the center. I know that the slipping out method of leaving a child at daycare is generally frowned on, and truthfully I'm more in favor of the matter-of-fact goodbye myself, but I also feel like it's wrong to interrupt once she has gotten involved in playing, just to say goodbye! I fear I expressed this poorly to the asst.dir. ;) but whatever.

Anyway, I called to check in when I got out of the doctor's office, and they said that Ruthie went out for a walk with the other kids and enjoyed it, and was, when I called, being put down for a nap (a little earlier than the others -- she was tired). So I said I'd check in again after naptime. The asst.dir. said that I shouldn't leave Ruthie there all day on her first day but should pick her up after nap; I guess it's true that it could be a lot to handle on her first day. OTOH if she's doing fine, why not leave her? So I guess I'll see how she's doing when she wakes up.

Whew! what a day. I need a nap.

Comments

[as2.livejournal.com]

I care! I care!

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Thanks Luke ;)

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

I care too. :-)

[orbitalmechanic.livejournal.com]

It says good things about your daycare that they're serious about acclimation and proper parent involvement (TM), even if it is in the form of a scolding. :)

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, definitely. And calling it a lecture was probably a bit of hyperbole -- she was very earnest. It was cute, I guess. She did loosen up a bit when she learned that I have an older child.

[queenalia.livejournal.com]

i have to slip away from sam when i leave him at the gym daycare. i've tried all sorts of variations, and that's the only one that works.

sigh.

why can't our perfect children follow the perfect parenting handbook?

Hi .....

[wisansace.livejournal.com]

thought i'd write and say a few words of encouragement. hope things are looking up for you and your little family. one day at a time hun; and one minute at a time. this is how i do it; and have taken care of my children this way. i don't want to get inot anything that will hurt. as i know there are others who will say bad things about you and your children. sooooo, keep strong and do what you must to have a happy home life with your children as much as you can afford to do for them. and know i'm thinking of youa nd your little ones. do take care.

[morgan-dhu.livejournal.com]

Hey, I care! I always read, it's just that I rarely respond. however, I do think about you.

Oh, and here's some "hope they turn up something that's easy to treat without major dietary changes" vibes.