Tomorrow I go to the Mayo Clinic to meet with a "Rare liver disease" specialist. I am looking forward to it. I have been passing on the idea of going there for years, because most of my life, I had the idea, the Mayo was for really sick people. Not for stupid old me and my stupid old liver.
But lately, I have been feeling gross. Sicker than usual. Crabbier than usual. In more pain than usual. So I'm going. New symptoms make me nervous. And the nurse, who checked me in said, "sweetie, you ARE really sick." Not a good start down the road of positive thinking, but I'll work on that. Really I will.
In 1999 I was being treated by a doctor at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Paine. Seriously with that name? I know, right? He told me I would be lucky to make it to my 40th birthday. That asshole. But I was young. And 40 seemed a very long way off and kinda old. So upon hearing that diagnosis, I bailed from his treatment, and have been only followed by Gastroenterologists and my general practitioners.
But with new symptoms, I have no idea if it is A) liver disease kicking my ass. B) Old age. C) 40 years old is NOT that far away now. Shit.
So off to the Mayo. Finally. And they say, the only study they found from the U of M is one done on little ol' me in 1998. So...glad to have a specialist who knows what the hell is going on. Cause I only have 4 years left until 40, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. I hope they don't want to talk transplant again. No thanks. Not for me.
The best part, is Ryan and I will actually get to spend our anniversary together. Without kids. It will just be in Rochester MN surrounded by doctors. Meh...no biggie. We've done a lot worse I guess.
2 comments:
FUCK! Well, good luck, and tell me if you need a kidney. I'd give you my liver, but I'm pretty sure that you don't want it...
If you need prayers, more than I already have done, please let me know. My bio dad did the whole liver transplant thing down at Mayo back in 1998/1999 (ironic that this is when you had your first tests), his was because of Hep. C and some drinking didn't help the undiagnosed (initially) and then later diagnosed but kept drinking a little here and there, not chronically, but sure did like the liquid! Anywho...medically the procedure went well, he was not an ideal candidate but none the less they gave him one, meds work and he is still out there. My thoughts are with you Sue.
Heidi
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