Saturday, November 22, 2008

Testing 1, 2, 3

Howdy!

I'm starting to feel like I'm in an episode of House, M.D. where the team of doctors come up with several diagnoses and then finally come up with the right one just in time to keep their patient from croaking. This week I've been pushed on, poked, prodded, stuck, electroded, ultrasounded, echoed and wanded in just about every nook and cranny excluding my ear canals and my butt crack. The results are in, and I met with my doc yesterday to go over some of them.

First of all, I've lost 50 pounds in three weeks.

No sh*t.

I'm not sure that all of it was water, because I haven't been eating very much this past month, but whatever it is, it just emphasized how much water I have left to lose. My arms and hands look kind of twiggy, and my wedding ring slid off when I was doing the dishes the other day.

Then when I jumped out of bed the other morning, my jammie pants fell off. My heinie kind of disappeared, and my hips have shrunk.

But like I said, it just emphasizes where the water is. My belly is so big, it looks like I'm going to squeeze out a litter in the near future. It's full of water and gas. Yikes.

My left leg is almost completely normal. My right leg is still full of water. All in all, the doc thinks there may be another 15-20 lbs hanging out in there.

As for the test results:

The right side of my heart is performing normally. No sign of damage from blood clots. My kidneys, liver, spleen, etc are all functioning normally. No blood clots in my legs either.

And no gallstones. The tech kept poking and pushing with the wand and asking, "does this hurt?" After about the 4th time, my gallbladder started getting grumpy and I said, "well yeah, it's starting to hurt NOW".

The results from my echocardiogram were not as positive, but could have been worse. I DO have to say that I was apprehensive about the test itself----you know, having your breasts handled and flopping around unfettered is not a thrilling experience. But there was this cool little boob tray cut into the bed that my left one could fall into, and all I had to do with my right one was toss it over my shoulder like Zsa Zsa's fox stole (did I mention that with all the water loss I have two oddly shaped sacks of skin attached to my chest? I could wrap them around my neck like a scarf if it gets too cold out!).

Anyhoo, there are some electrical issues that may be a cause of concern and I'm seeing a specialist on Monday. The current thinking is that I might have had a small heart attack a couple of years ago when I first started getting symptoms that nobody picked up on. The left side of my heart is not performing optimally and will need a further look-see.

My heart is beating too fast, possibly because of the thick blood (from long-term oxygen deprivations or other reasons), even in a resting state. It is much lower than it was 3 weeks ago though. Doc has put me on some additional medication to try to slow it down a bit and to thin my blood. We'll see what the cardiologist has to say about everything.

I complained to the doctor about all the excess skin I suddenly have (it was all pulled tight like a sausage a few weeks ago, now it's really slack). I know it will take time to bounce back into shape, but I wanted to know what I could put on it because it's really itchy. The doc said I'd probably look like a California raisin when the water's all gone, but that we'd worry about that later.

Overall, the doc said my oxygen levels are great, and that all the test results came back much better than what he expected. He said he was a little freaked out when I came in three weeks ago, because I was practically blue. How could we have not noticed it? Was it that gradual?

So like I said, it could have been worse. I could have been this woman. Ack!!!!

Have a great weekend!

ATM

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad to get an update. It seems like things are heading in the right direction and I'm so glad they finally have a clearer idea about what is going on and how to treat it. Let us know what the cardiologist says.
I hope the men in your life are treating you well. They better be.
Rest and get better. You are in my thoughts and prayers all the time.
Sending love and lots of healing thoughts.
XXXXXXXXXX

Charlie said...

Very, very strange, Mom, what a possible small heart attack is doing to the body you know and love. And diagnostic tests, all of them, are such a pain in the patootie.

I hope you get back to feeling like the normal Attila—you're much too young to be seriously sick.

Jan said...

Good report. All that excess skin has got to be disconcerting, but better that being bloated. Seems the dr. is on the right track.

Ellen Seidman said...

Well, hello there, I just found this blog through Terrible Palsy. The name of your blog alone made me laugh, but then I started reading the posts and I was hooked! I'm sorry about your health problems, somehow you even managed to make them amusing. Thanks for perking up my day! I'm new to blogging, have a little boy with CP, over at www.lovethatmax.blogspot.com. Looking forward to reading more! You're on my blog roll.

Brenda said...

I'm happy to hear that all the poking and prodding have given you some answers. You take care of yourself up there, ya hear?

Green-Eyed Momster said...

I'm still worried about you. That's a lot of weight to lose in a few weeks. At least you don't have a worm in your brain, right?
I sure hope you get through all of this and you're feeling 100% well soon!!
Try some shea butter or pure cocoa butter on your skin. It will help with the itching. Your local health food store should have both.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hugs!!

Amie Adams said...

Holy crap! Have they checked your liver??

I'd be freaking if I was carrying around that much fluid.

Hoping you're seriously on the mend.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

Its unbelievable all the water you can hold in a body. Pee me a river....

Michelle Flaherty said...

All I can say is that I'm glad your doctor wasn't an actually Gregory House! Now that would have sucked! He's funny to watch but he wouldn't be fun to have!

Hon, your feet...I don't even know what to say. I hope you're more comfortable than you look!

Thanx for the update and I hope you have an even better one for us next time! Please feel better!!

just bob said...

Keep up your spirits ATM. We're all pulling for you!

just bob

Unknown said...

Uurgh! That poor woman, it makes me shudder to think about it.

Glad your condition is improving - although your poor leg looks so sore, I hope it's more comfortable than it looks. Hope you are back to normal asap!

Anonymous said...

I have been thinking of you and praying for you daily. I'm glad that you guys got an update, albeit one that isn't exactly what you want to hear. It seems like your doctors are being incredibly proactive regarding your health though, and that is pleasing to me.

Try and enjoy the holiday, sweetness!
xo ♥

H~ said...

Really really glad that things seem to be going a bit better and seem to be on the right track.

Hope everything continues to improve until you are at peak health! You are in my thoughts xxx

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've been through a lot! Glad to hear everything is looking good, especially your poor legs.

KL said...

Welcome to my world ATM!! Tests and more tests that never really show anything wrong. I sure hope that they get you back in top bunny slipper throwing shape!! HUGS to you!! (And the guys of course!)

Clippy Mat said...

wowser.
those poor feet.
you've certainly been thru the mill.
hope you feel better and get a good prognosis very soon.
great that you are blogging in spite of it. my kinda woman.
hugs :-))

Anonymous said...

Hey !
Just checking in and sending love - and best wishes for good/better/best health soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh that's great news that you continue to mend!

Chris H said...

Seems to me you have been to hell and back.... you really made me laugh with the boob mentions... I know that feeling! And no, they won't keep you warm wrapped around ya neck, get a scarf..... it will LOOK better!

Anonymous said...

Holy crap, sister!

Anonymous said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers all the time ((ATM)) xoxo

Joe said...

All I can add is good wishes and good luck.

Samantha said...

Hoping you're on the mend, take care.

Mia said...

I'm a shit friend. No, I'm the shit inside a shit friend. Ack, not sure if I should call with the whole turkey thing going on tomorrow.OK, now I'm thinking out loud and typing what I'm thinking and thats just pathetic and strange. I'll just call.

stinkypaw said...

Happy Thanksgiving, and I'm just thankful you're doing better overall and that you're NOT that woman - yuck!

contemporary themes said...

Whoa! I've not been in blogland for a while!

I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a rough go at it recently!

Saying a prayer for you now!

I hope all is better by now.

I got "wanded" recently. That ain't any fun what.so.ever!

phlegmfatale said...

My goodness, darlin', I hope you are well on the mend. THinking of you!

Anonymous said...

That does not look nice. I hope you're improving quickly.

Take care.

Grim Reality Girl said...

Ouch! Praying for you! Thanks for the update. I'm glad they seem to sorting it all out -- you are half way there! Hang in there your cheering section is rooting you on!

Big Pissy said...

Good lord!

Glad you're getting some answers.

Take care of yourself! :)

Anonymous said...

Take it easy, Attila. That's not the best weight plan to be on. Just sayin'.
I'm sending you good thoughts.

QueenofPlanetHotflash said...

OOMMGGGOSSHH,Attila if it's not one damn thing it's another huh
I am sending many blessings and healing thoughts your way.
I sure hope your face doesn't sink in like that gf that may cause issues in the bedroom lol

Catch said...

Hi, I came over from Pissys blog...sorry you are having so much trouble...I can certainly sympathize with you. I went through heart problems last year...I hope everything turns out for you. I am sending well wishes your way, I will check in on you..take good care of yourself