Hi Ladies -
It's been awhile. I'm sure you all thought I had once again flaked out on the whole blogging thing. Au Contraire! I have been sick!
What follows is a boring but accurate account of my life since September and a reason that I haven't been doing much typing!
I have been really sick with stomach pain, diarrhea, projectile vomiting, and weight loss (12 lbs. in 3 weeks). I consulted an excellent Gastrointerologist at the local hospital - and let me take a minute to say that I was treated like royalty and received the BEST care at the hospital- who recommended tons of blood work. Turns out, I am completely deficient in B12 (kind of a big deal) and Iron (another big deal). He recommended an endoscopy, which was not successful because my pyloric sphincter has narrowed due to scarring from excess acid. So, second endoscopy performed on Thursday. This time, they inserted a balloon and widened the opening to 13.5 cm (normal is around 15, mine was 8) and took biopsies to check for Crohns, Celiacs, and Tropical Sprue (look the last one up). After a one night hospital stay, I am home! We do know that I have the H. Pylori bacteria that is responsible for peptic ulcers. Actually, most people have the bacteria in their gut and it never causes an issue - lucky, lucky me. Right now I am on 2 antibiotics, a huge vitamin, an antacid, and B12 shots every day for a week. I also have had an IV iron infusion. Waiting on the results of biopsies which will tell us if I have Crohns, Celiacs, or Tropical Sprue (look that up).
I am feeling better, I think, and I am cautiously optimistic. I had my first outing in about 3 weeks today (that wasn't to the hospital or doctor). Made it all the way to the mall! Had lunch, walked around for a bit, and am now exhausted beyond words :) But I did it!
So, that's where I've been and what I've been up to and this is where my mind has gone lately.......I really want to cry (no worries, it's a side affect of B12 depletion), and I want to go HOME. I hope this is a fleeting thing but honestly, it will depend on the results of the biopsies as to whether I continue here in India. I don't want to be here if I have Crohns. I may not even want to be here if I have Celiacs. There are NO gluten free products here. NONE. If it is Tropical Sprue, this is the best place for me because no one in the states will know what to do with me. Having said that, the only way you get Tropical Sprue is to live in a "tropical environment." There ya go. Do I stay or do I leave?
I am tired of being sick. Tired of being tired. Joel has been SOOOOO wonderful! He is such a good care giver!!!!! I am really blessed that way! I miss my kids, I miss my friends back home.
That's the sad, sad story for today. Thanks for letting me vent and I hope next time I blog, I will be more upbeat!
Be good to yourselves,
B
It's been awhile. I'm sure you all thought I had once again flaked out on the whole blogging thing. Au Contraire! I have been sick!
What follows is a boring but accurate account of my life since September and a reason that I haven't been doing much typing!
I have been really sick with stomach pain, diarrhea, projectile vomiting, and weight loss (12 lbs. in 3 weeks). I consulted an excellent Gastrointerologist at the local hospital - and let me take a minute to say that I was treated like royalty and received the BEST care at the hospital- who recommended tons of blood work. Turns out, I am completely deficient in B12 (kind of a big deal) and Iron (another big deal). He recommended an endoscopy, which was not successful because my pyloric sphincter has narrowed due to scarring from excess acid. So, second endoscopy performed on Thursday. This time, they inserted a balloon and widened the opening to 13.5 cm (normal is around 15, mine was 8) and took biopsies to check for Crohns, Celiacs, and Tropical Sprue (look the last one up). After a one night hospital stay, I am home! We do know that I have the H. Pylori bacteria that is responsible for peptic ulcers. Actually, most people have the bacteria in their gut and it never causes an issue - lucky, lucky me. Right now I am on 2 antibiotics, a huge vitamin, an antacid, and B12 shots every day for a week. I also have had an IV iron infusion. Waiting on the results of biopsies which will tell us if I have Crohns, Celiacs, or Tropical Sprue (look that up).
I am feeling better, I think, and I am cautiously optimistic. I had my first outing in about 3 weeks today (that wasn't to the hospital or doctor). Made it all the way to the mall! Had lunch, walked around for a bit, and am now exhausted beyond words :) But I did it!
So, that's where I've been and what I've been up to and this is where my mind has gone lately.......I really want to cry (no worries, it's a side affect of B12 depletion), and I want to go HOME. I hope this is a fleeting thing but honestly, it will depend on the results of the biopsies as to whether I continue here in India. I don't want to be here if I have Crohns. I may not even want to be here if I have Celiacs. There are NO gluten free products here. NONE. If it is Tropical Sprue, this is the best place for me because no one in the states will know what to do with me. Having said that, the only way you get Tropical Sprue is to live in a "tropical environment." There ya go. Do I stay or do I leave?
I am tired of being sick. Tired of being tired. Joel has been SOOOOO wonderful! He is such a good care giver!!!!! I am really blessed that way! I miss my kids, I miss my friends back home.
That's the sad, sad story for today. Thanks for letting me vent and I hope next time I blog, I will be more upbeat!
Be good to yourselves,
B
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