"This illness is to fatigue,
what a match is to a nuclear bomb.
It's an absurd mischaracterization!"
~Laura Hillenbrand

Pages

June 15, 2007

Hopsital Stay




Well, one week later - I made it through the weekend, but Saturday and Sunday I was so weak that I couldn't walk to the bathroom by myself. I know this stage is so difficult on my family.

I saw my Doctor Monday morning and she felt she needed to admit me to hospital. After several tests, it was determined that my bile duct from my liver was inflamed and I either have or had passed a stone.

I do not have a gallbladder so it's not a gall stone - its a stone (or stones) that have formed from the bile that's excreted from the Liver.

Today, I'm waiting to hear whether I get to go home or if I must stay for a procedure that is like an endoscopy but goes in and searches for and removes any stones.

The big issue for me is staying hydrated so that I have less of a chance of forming more stones. This is a huge concern for me at the moment, because I felt I was doing my best at this. I have a few more ideas to try, but my ANS deals with hydration differently, so I don't feel at ease with this issue.

I know the question in every one's mind - is this same problem I've been having for two years. The answer is NO. It's unrelated and the symptoms were very different this past week. Now, I'm not sure yet about the connection of the ANS dysfunction and the formation of stones. But my normal stomach issues have to do with delayed gastric emptying and this was a stone in the bile duct.

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me. It's amazing to experience miracles and think - I bet someone prayed for that - and then I find out, sure enough, someone did!

BTW - Yes, I'm writing this from the hospital! They have Internet access for patients right from the room! Pretty cool, huh?

TTFN,
Melanie


5 comments:

  1. Good Morning Melanie!

    It's nice to have a way to contact you, as I wasn't sure if you were "taking visitors" or not.

    I'm so glad to hear from you via e-mail, as I'm really inconsistent with the blog stuff. (You are so wonderfully techie, now.)

    Today is a work day for me. I'll be teaching moms and dads to be at Legacy, but I know that Jesus will be bringing you to mind throughout the day, so I'll be praying as I go. Praying now, too. And earlier this week, as are others who love you.

    May you have some rest today, dear lady.

    Hey, any errands I can do? I'll be in town Monday and Wednesday, through Washougal on Tuesday. Give me a ring or e-mail me. : )

    Take care,
    April

    ReplyDelete
  2. melanie...what a trial you are going through. I am SO SORRY. I do not want to sound cliche or glib but I know the Lord is right there with you keeping you safe within His wings. I will pray for you. I cannot even begin to grasp all that you are going through and your family as well. Hang in there...you are one of the strongest and Godly ladies I know.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have to say your paintings are AMAZING...I can not believe how you have progressed...unbeleiveable.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi April! It's so nice to hear from you!! Yes, I may have some errand for you next week... I will call you when I get home.

    Today I instead of the Endoscopic type procedure, I'm having an MRI- much less invasive. If no stones are seen I get to go home.. YAY!

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

    xox,
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Gena!!!

    What a sweet comment about my art! Thank you! That Tribute to Picasso was fun to do too - even though it's not my typical painting.

    I hope you scrolled down - I bet you saw the California Poppies! I loved that painting!

    Oh... I'm being taken now for the MRI... but just wanted to say Hi and thank you for leaving me messages!

    xox,
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete