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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Labs and other sucky stuff--uggg!!

**UPDATE** I had the labs drawn right before they closed at 5pm but they are done. My best friends who are both doctors (Laila and Laura--twins) were real happy to hear my doctor was not holding back. Besides the new labs and the liver ultrasound, he is also sending me to a liver specialist so he is really covering all the bases. Laura was also happy to hear about the labs he ordered for today as they were pretty detailed and should really get to the bottom of things and at least point us in the right direction. Hopefully this will all be nothing major. Laura says people have elevated liver enzymes all the time and sometimes it is just a one time thing and they go back down-- who knows but she said it could be a number of relatively minor things that cause the enzymes to elevate. I am praying for the minor things.
I hate to admit that the anemia is not a huge surprise to me and I'm sure the tests will direct them but sadly I have to admit the anemia is not a surprise. Most of my blog readers know that I had gastric bypass surgery over 8 years ago (weight loss surgery). I was almost 300 pounds and I think I currently weigh in the 150's range so I lost anywhere from 140 to 150 pounds. When you have the surgery you are supposed to take supplements for the rest of your life. You are supposed to take iron pills because the post gastric bypass body does not absorb iron the way a normal body does. So basically, after surgery there is a very large handful of pills that you are supposed to take daily. I hate pills. I despise pills and have an abnormally strong gag reflex and any odd smell or taste triggers the reflex so naturally taking the supplements (including the iron) was very difficult for me. I lasted taking the supplements for about 2 to 3 years until I just realized I seemed fine without them-- yes I know that is the stupidest thing most have read in a while but I was thin and all my labs were great and I felt great so I thought I could discontinue the supplements and be fine. Well, that may not have been the case and maybe it took 5 to 6 years to catch up to me but I can probably guarantee the anemia is due to me not taking my iron. Then to compound the problem, I eat very little meat. I just am not a meat eater. I pick meet off a lot of my food and I just am not a huge carnivore. Not that I am opposed to meat-- I do eat it, I just don't eat much. I eat a lot of carbs and vegys but not meat. So, that makes the iron thing even worse. Like I said, the anemia thing is not a big surprise but the other stuff is. I guess we wait to see what happens tomorrow when we get the labs back.
By the way I got the approval on the MRI and will be scheduling it tomorrow first thing. I am going to try to work myself into a cancellation so I can get it done ASAP and I'm going to try to get the liver ultrasound moved up as well.
So dear friends, thanks so much for your support on this. It is so odd to be writing this stuff about me. I literally have always been totally healthy-- even at 300 pounds I was still healthy-- just really obese. This is very strange but I know things are going to be just fine. I will update the second I get my labs back from today and let you know when I get my MRI and ultrasound scheduled.
Thanks again for your support!!!
**Previous Text**
Kevin thinks I am absolutely crazy for posting this stuff but it makes me feel better knowing there are people out there who are sharing this and supporting me.

I got a call from my doctor today expecting to hear tests were normal and we would just proceed with the MRI for the sake of ruling out things. Well, labs did not come back as expected. I guess I am severely anemic (I was at 9.7 and normal is 12) and my liver function tests are all elevated. My doctor does not know what or why this is because in the past all these tests have all been normal and nothing seems to have changed so we are a bit confused. Anyway, they quickly scheduled me for a liver ultrasound (actually I think they called it an abdominal ultrasound) on Monday morning at 9:15am. We are still waiting on the approval on the MRI but my hope is to have it right after or before the ultrasound. So, this was not good news and I am a bit freaked about all of this. I have always just been such a healthy person and to all of a sudden have funky things happening is just strange.

I'm going to get my labs pulled right now (literally I found a place open till 5pm so I'm gonna go now to get those over with) and I'm going to stay on the ultrasound and MRI to see if they have any cancellations this week so I can get in sooner. Anyway, I will let you know how things turn out but prayer would be appreciated.

23 comments:

  1. Christy, I am so sorry you have to go through this stuff and I know how the mind goes crazy with thoughts. I will pray that you can get the tests sooner to rule out those crazy thoughts. I have no experience with those issues directly but send good thoughts and positive outcome! Good Luck!
    Sharon in NC

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  2. I am sooo sorry girly..
    You are in my thoughts and prayers..
    I love ya girly..
    They will figure it out and you will be back to yourself in no time..
    Tell Kevin we have to give you love too...lol...
    Hugs..
    Keep us updated please..

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  3. Oh Christy....we will have you in our prayers! Going through tests is scary stuff and the waiting certainly plays games with your mind!
    Hugs from us....and do keep us posted so we can continue to pray for your needs!!

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  4. So sorry to hear about your elevated tests. Hoping and praying for a speedy recovery for you!

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  5. Sorry to hear about the test results....I am glad you are not sitting around and waiting....there is nothing worse than having to wait and wonder!! I hope that they get you in sooner!

    You are in our prayers and keep us posted!!

    Lisa

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  6. Sending positive vibes all the way to California!!!

    Think good thoughts (although I know how hard that can be).

    We're here for you!
    Snick :)

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  7. I have been thinking of you and am sorry to hear this news. DO you take a lot of Tylenol? My Mom used to take it and it caused her liver functions to be elevated. PLEASE let us know. I will pray for you and worry until I hear good news!!!

    Kim

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  8. Oh Christy,
    I am so sorry to hear this. I will be thinking of you. I hope the tests turn out well and you are able to deliver good news soon.

    Rachel

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  9. Girl....I will be praying for you. I know it is SOOOO overwhelming to have tests done and then have to wait for the result. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Disease (a thyroid disease). Anyway...while I was waiting to find out what was wrong...I began to stress out SOOO MUCH! Then the Lord showed me how bad the stress was for me and how it could actually make me more sick. Anyway...the scripture that he showed me was in proverbs. (I can't recall the exact verse)...but it says "those who know the name of the Lord will trust in Him". So...what He was speaking to my heart was in areas that I was having trouble trusting Him...are areas and parts of his character that I don't know of him very well. In my case....I didn't know him as Jehovah Rophe "The Lord my healer"....because I wasn't trusting Him in that way. so I began to really press in and focus on the Lord as my healer! I believe that for you too!!! While you're waiting...just meditate on who HE is in your life!!! He is YOUR HEALER!!!

    I pray for wisdom for the doctors and peace for you...but more than anything...I know that you are the Healed of the Lord!!! Trust HIM....your Jehovah Rophe!!! I'm praying for you!!! Hang in there and keep us posted!!
    Blessings,
    Buffi

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  10. Christy, I am still praying for you. I have anemia also but the good thing is as long as you get the iron intake you need that solves it. However, I have also noticed I feel weak when I wait a long time in between meals.

    I had NO IDEA that you had gastric bypass. That came as a total shock.

    Don't listen to Kevin..lol..you're not crazy. It is good for the mind to share and it also allows us to pray for you.

    I hope you get good news with the liver test and MRI.

    Thinking of you.....

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  11. Don't know if this helps, but my mother had this situation last year; mysteriously elevated liver function. They ran all kinds of tests and found nothing and it corrected in a couple of months. I hope the same for you and that you don't worry too much in the meantime.

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  12. Hi Christy!

    I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I had elevated liver functions several years ago. Two different doctors told me it was because of the amount of Advil and Aleve I had to take to minimize some major shoulder and back pain I was experiencing (1,200 - 1,800 miligrams per day as subscribed by a completely different doctor). As soon as I stopped taking it and they retested about a month later, the levels were back to normal.

    Take care and keep us posted.

    Linda
    Bruce's Mommy

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  13. Christy,

    I am lifting you up in prayer right now! Praying for wisdom for the doctors and for peace for you & for health! That you can return to being healthy again & live a normal life!!

    Hugs,
    Sara

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  14. So sorry you are going through so much. Take care. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

    Janet

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  15. Thanks for the update!!! We are continuing to believe for the best!!! I look forward to hearing!!! Until then...You're in our prayers!!
    Buffi

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  16. So sorry you've had to go through all of this. You will certainly be in our thoughts and prayers! Hoping you feel much better very soon!

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  17. Christy I am so worried about you. I've been keeping you in my prayers and will continue to do so, I'll also be adding you to a couple of chains. Please know you have tons of love and prayer out here. Many many hugs my friend.

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  18. Christy,
    I'll be praying for good results on the MRI. And take those Iron pills. I'm a nurse and I'm the worst about this too as I'm always borderline anemic. Maybe there's a liquid form that wouldn't be so bad or try the new chewable vitamins. There's even chocolate flavored ones.
    Julie

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  19. I am praying for you girl. You are so lucky to have two best friends that are doctors, I know that must give you comfort. It would me! :)
    Please keep us posted!

    LA

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  20. I'm so sorry to hear about all you're going through! Definitely keep us posted, you have a lot of support and prayers from your blogger friends!

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  22. Christy I'm so sorry about what you are going through right now. When Julianna was born my liver enzymes were elevated also. At the hospital they told me it is normal for them to go up and down from time to time, and mine have in the last 2 years. I think when mine are high I get a bitter taste in my mouth. I had it all the time right after she was born, but don't ever get it anymore unless I'm sick. Well, hang in there, lady! You are a beautiful wife and mother and we are keeping you in our prayers. Love, Marcy

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  23. Christy-

    You are definitely in my prayers during this difficult time. I had lots of migraines a number of years ago and remember how hard all of the tests were. I am so glad your medical team is taking action and running all of the tests. Hang in there and know there are lots of us rooting for you all over the country. Hang in there and keep us posted. We are here to support you.

    Hugs,

    Lisa R

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