And the Winner is..... A Bad Gallbladder!

I have been battling an ongoing medical issue for over 5 years.  After multiple tests, doctors visits and even a specialist, I finally got an answer that I already knew.  My gallbladder is not functioning.  

When I experienced my first attack five years ago I almost instantly knew what was happening.  My mother had her gallbladder removed around that same age, I had lost a large amount of weight and the attack was following a delicious but very greasy meal. The pain was very centralized to one specific area of my right side.  It had to be my gallbladder.  

After a brief doctor visit, I was scheduled for testing.  Once I finally got into that first ultrasound the attack had subsided, I felt great and we learned there were no gallstones.  Therefore, I went on with life until the next attack hit.  Another visit to the doctor with the same symptoms prompted blood work and scheduling another ultrasound.  Their belief was that with more than 6 months since the last one the results might have changed.  To no surprise from me the results were the same, and attack number two had subsided.  

The next attack resulted in a referral to a specialist to see what else could be done.  They were very hesitant to agree with my self diagnosis and wanted to rule out an ulcer.  Therefore, I was put on ulcer medication and sent home.  I was already post attack at this point so I can't say for sure whether the medicine helped or not.

I believe there was an attack or two that I let come and go without even going to the doctor out of sheer frustration.  However, the last attack occurred during a stomach flu last fall, and it was too terrible to ignore.  It resulted in a visit back to the specialist who said the next step was an endoscopy. Lo and behold my stomach was in great shape, and I was even given pictures to prove it.  They advised the next step was a Hidascan.  

Now you might say well why didn't you do the Hidascan then and not wait.  Well, shortly after the endoscopy was when I ended up in the hospital with my second DVT; therefore, more hospital bills were not high on my list, and of course we were way past the last attack at that point.  Amazing how different the priorities are based on whether currently having a gallbladder attack or post attack.  

So we get to this attack.  I rode it out for 10 days before finally giving in and making a doctors appointment.  He agreed that it had to be my gallbladder but felt no surgeon would talk to me without a Hidascan.  So today the test was performed, and within 2 hours of its completion my doctor called with the results.  My gallbladder is not working!!!

So finally we have the test results to support what I felt the answer was five years ago.  Surgery will be scheduled, and this series of attacks will end.  

I have felt at times that I was crazy and maybe I was making this up and wasn't in pain.  It feels good to know that I am not completely nuts.  

I feel the moral of this story is that when you know something doesn't feel right make sure you don't give up.  Sometimes you have to find the right doctor or the right test.  It is an awful feeling to know there is something wrong but nothing concrete to support it.  

It is important to allow your medical team to help guide you, but you must be an active participant. There were two times they wanted to do another ultrasound, and I demanded something different.  I refused to spend more money and come up empty handed once more.  

I am not excited about having surgery, but I am glad to finally have this resolved.  So don't give up, if you truly feel more needs to be looked at or tested.  It is your body, and you know it better than anyone.

Balancing Without Losing Myself

When I had my first blood clot 13 years ago it was a shock.  Sure I had read the birth control labels that you had a chance of clots and that smoking could increase that risk.  However, I never thought it could happen to me.  One of those things you file away and never comes to mind again.

In the months following my first clot I went through a lot of testing, and it was concluded that I did not have any genetic risk factors.  This clot seemed to logically be the result of birth control, smoking, being overweight and a long plane flight to Mexico without enough movement.  These things were easily eliminated or prevented in the future.  

Giving up smoking was tough at times and the thought of life without any hormones was rough; however, this all seemed very manageable.  I learned to get up and walk on flights and stop more frequently on car rides.  I was a bit slower to take care of the overweight/unhealthy part; however, over the years this became a very big part of my life.  

Many years later I found the only time my mind drifted to the clot was when my leg would swell and cause discomfort.  I never worried about another clot because the risk factors were eliminated or at least I truly believed they were.  

Fast forward to February 2016 and I am doing amazing. The fitness part of my life is right on track, I am eating well and things are just falling into place.  I am getting ready to sign up for my first mud run in a few years.  I am pumped up and just at the tail end of a burpee challenge.  

I wake up one morning to some abnormal swelling in my leg.  So here is where clot #2 enters my life. After a day of not really being concerned, the test confirms this is another clot and the present journey begins.  

I am currently six months post second clot.  We don't have much in the way of reasons for this one, except the previous clot and some borderline test results.  It is a bit frustrating not to have a concrete reason that I can just remove from my life.  I made the decision last week to remain on a preventative dose of the blood thinners.  This still does not sit well with me, but it appeared to be the most logical conclusion.  

Now begins the process of doing what I want but balancing the risks of another clot and side effects of this drug.  I love to travel, but I need to be more conscious of getting out on a regular basis.  I enjoy a few beers from time to time; however, I find that this can cause the leg to really be annoyed with me.  I love being physically active, hiking, doing race events, but I need to make sure I manage the risks of these things.  Here starts the balancing of risks and life.  I don't want to allow this medical condition to dictate my activities and enjoyment.  However, I must be aware of it in my decisions.

I want to continue doing what I want to do and pushing myself to explore areas outside of my comfort zone.  However, I will need to take more time to research and think through my next steps before I jump in.  This is just part of the balance to ensure enjoyment without too much unnecessary risk.

Throughout life we each face challenges of varying degrees.  Some are definitely more life changing than others and require a much tougher battle to fight.  However, each has to opportunity to change us or define us in a different way.  I want to remain focused in the face of these challenges and not get lost in them.