2 for 1 Biopsy

How is it done? Why is it needed? How long does it take? Will it hurt?

All very good questions. And not that I have been though it, I have my answers! Here's how the day went.

I had to be there at 9:00am. Signed in and filled out a hundred forms. The usual sign here and initial here. Then I was taken back for a blood draw to make sure that my PT/INR levels were OK for surgery. Then off to pre op. To answer more questions and get my IV and all that fun stuff. And then it was off to the operating room. That's when things got fun. After explaining to the 3 Dr.s what exactly caused the need for a biopsy, things finally got rolling. They explained how a jugular biopsy worked, gave me a very cool hat to hold my hair in, hooked me up with some oxygen and turned on some good music. My neck was prepped and then they put this huge plastic tent over me. It was like being on the X-Files. Then came the margarita. My very own cocktail ;) Once that was in, I was off to sleepy land in no time. Only to be rudely awaken half way though.
I remember opening my eyes and thinking "that was easy" But then the Dr said that he wasn't able to get through. Something about veins dissolving. He said they were going to do it the old fashioned way though my side and then I was back off to sleepy land. I woke up in the recovery room, sore as hell, but was just glad to know it was over. After waiting around for another 4 or so hours, I got to go home.

Recovery wasn't was I was expecting. I figured Id be a little sore and have some discomfort. Instead I was walking around the house like a zombie. I couldn't straighten my neck for 3 days. I couldn't turn my head and I was walking bent over like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. But you know it wasn't the worst part. The hardest part was knowing that I wasn't going to be able to feed my baby until the anesthesia was out of my system. Which was only supposed to be one day, but was extended for 2 more days because of the contrast used in my MRI the following day.

So that was my experience with my first and hopefully the last time I have to do that. At least now if I do have to go though it again, I will know what to expect and wont be freaking out like I did this time around.

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Nervous much?

I'm having my biopsy today. And even though I know its not a big surgery. I'm scared out of my mind. All I cant think about it what if something goes wrong. Will the people I love, know that I loved them? Will they know just how special they are to me? Will they know how blessed I felt to have been loved by them? If my boys have to grow up with out me, will they know that they were the bright lights that kept my heart alive? Will Anthony remember my face and all the fun we have had. Will Alex know just how much I prayed for him and loved him?

My family has kept me strong. I couldn't get though any of this without them. David is my solid foundation. With out him I would have come crashing down years ago. My boys are everything to me. I want to have more fun with them. I have been so snappy with Ant lately. I promise to loosen up a bit and just enjoy him. Because he is so full of life and has such a good heart. And Alex. My baby. I cherish the time we spend together. Nursing has been such a blessing to my soul. I hate that I get frustrated at times. Because I really to love the time we are together. Those eyes melt my heart. I have been blessed. My sisters can always make me feel better and my brothers always checking up on me. Who would have though we would be so close after all that we have been through.

Together they have all given me faith. That what I have is something to good to lose now. Strength to fight because its worth fighting for. Love. They have loved me and I hope that they all know just how much I love them too!

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When it rains

it pours. Well I had a post all written out, but going back over it, it seemed to whiney. Im tired of complaining all the time. Yes what I have sucks, but it could be so much worse. And moping is bad for the soul. Right now I need a happy soul.

But heres a quick run down of my appointment with the Transplant Doc!

*Im over weight. Knew that, but Im working on it.

*Getting an MRI of the lump in my neck. Doc says its to hard to be a cyst or fat.
*Diagnosed with Hepatic Encephalopathy.

*Perscribed Latulose to help rid my body of toxins

*Having a Transjugular Liver Biopsy on Thursday...JOY. A wire going down my neck, through my heart and into my liver sounds like so much fun!

The biopsy scares the crap out of me. Or it could be the lactulose ;) Seriously, I think I am more afraid of the results of the biopsy than the actual procedure itself. Granted having a piece of your liver sucked out of your neck cant be any fun. Im just afraid of my bad news.

But thats my update and Im sticking to it!

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Coumadin Diet

Ok so originally my Dr. has said to limit my Vitamin K and to eat the same amounts everyday so that we could regulate my dose to that amount. My body however had different plans, resisted the coumadin and put me up at 12mg. My Dr has never had to prescribe this much, let alone to such a little person.

So anyways, now I am to avoid vitamin K. I'm struggling here, because there is VitK in EVERYTHING! And of course in all my favorite things. So what does this mean for me. It means, no spinach,okra, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, cilantro, thyme, basil or oregano. No spaghetti sauce, so no lasagna or pizza. NO kiwi, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, avocado or pumpkin.

There are a few things I can eat. For veggies I can have beets, eggplant,mushrooms, yellow bells,squash and turnips. Fruit I can have are peeled apples, bananas, citrus, pineapple and watermelon. I can have all meats and starches and dairy though. Cant have V8 juice, but can have all the vodka I want....HA!

So how the hell am I supposed to be eating healthy. I guess, meat, rice and eggplant. Of course the one thing Ive never eaten, is one of the few things I can eat now.

I'm off to find some good eggplant and squash recipes. If only I could have a bottle of Vodka along with it:) I can have an occasional glass of wine though!

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