Just got back from the doctor.

[rbnyc]

Actually, I just got back from seeing a movie by myself after seeing the doctor.

So the deal is, I have GERD, a hiatal hernia, an esophageal ulcer, and an esophageal ring. I'm at high-risk for esophageal cancer. I was in the process of addressing these problems when I got pregnant with my son. So I canceled some tests (radiology) and told my doctor I'd get back to him when I was done breast feeding.

So today I finally went back. Turns out, there were some things he either didn't tell me or I didn't understand from the endoscopy and colonoscopy I'd had when I first saw him, because in addition to the above, I have an ulcer in my colon, a deformity in the valve at my ilium, and he found something in my stomach that I can't remember the name of that's a disease indicator for the small intestine.

So I have a lot of GI crap going on.

I get an esophageal biopsy and an endoscopy next week.

Then, I get to swallow one of those camera pills. Only 10 doctors in the country are allowed to use them, and you have to be mighty fucked up to qualify.

That's me.

So, if it were you, would you be looking up diseases of the small intestine on the internet and try to guess which one you have. Or would you just try to relax, put it out of your mind and take things day by day?

It's kind of tough.

I'm scared. But I'm glad I'm addressing these problems finally, I have to get healthy for my son. I love him so much. I don't want to be sick and I don't want to lose time with him.

A friend of mine died from cancer this week--and my mom just had a scare.

Well, my husband and son are still at Grandma's, so I just wanted to drop in and talk it out a bit.

BTW, I saw Land of the Dead. I wish Kheph were here.

Love to all.

Thanks.

[dolo amber]

1. Ugh.

:(

Please keep us updated, Rene. :hug:

[rbnyc]

5. I will.

:hug:

Thanks.

[XanaDUer]

2. Hang in there

:hug:

[rbnyc]

6. I will! Thanks.

:)

[XanaDUer]

9. And I agree about symptom surfing

it can make you crazy. Take a deep breath and in a few days look up what you feel you need to know.

Or, ask your local librarian to do it for you. :)

[SarahB]

3. Oh man,

I hope everything turns out okay. I'll be thinking about you. :hug:

[rbnyc]

7. It's good that I went back and am doing something now.

I just have to believe that I'm taking care of things in time. I actually tend to be a very lucky person.

I'm a little sick of hospitals tho.

;-)

Thanks.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Rene, don't symptom surf!

As a sufferer of Health Anxiety, I can tell you that it'll only make you feel worse. Try to relax, and keep your mind busy with other things. :hug:

[rbnyc]

14. That's another reason I came here.

I googled "Diseases, small intestine" and then stopped myself and fled to the Lounge.

Thank god for this place...and you!

:)

[blondeatlast]

8. Oh, darlin', I wish I had the words. So sorry.

Take care. If you need support, we'll be happy to see you in the Chronic Disease forum, where commiserating is our raison d'etre.

:hug:

[rbnyc]

15. I didn't even know there was one.

Thanks!

[LynneSin]

10. Sweetie Pie, I'm here for you - call me if you need to talk

:hugs:

[rbnyc]

17. I love you Lynne!

I'll definately call you when I get biopsy (JUST ROUTINE) results. And I'll post.

You're wonderful.

:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

11. Renee. Relax.

You won't know anything until the tests are completed. Just have faith that you are doing the right thing by getting all of this medical care. Follow through on all tests, and then do what the doctor tells you to do.

My 75 year old father beat esophageal cancer last year. Years ago, it was considered a death sentence.

So many advances have been made in medicine. No matter with what you are diagnosed, you have a wonderful chance--given your age and your eagerness to get these tests--to beat it.

There are many non-life-threatening GI problems. I wouldn't worry until I get a diagnosis.

[rbnyc]

18. You are exactly right.

And I'm so glad to hear that about your father!

I'm a fundraiser for a breast cancer non-profit, so every day I work on positive support for women at high risk for and with breast cancer.

It's a good atmosphere to be in. I learn so much from the volunteers who are mostly survivors.

Thanks.

[jilln]

12. Sorry you're going through all that...

and I think the best thing you could do is to take things one day at a time until you know exactly where you stand, but also do your research. I can't tell you how many people I know who have had further medical problems because the doctor missed something or whatever. Your best defense is to stay calm but be well informed, without letting your research upset you. Good luck.

[rbnyc]

22. That camera pill will take 50,000 pictures of my small intestine.

That's pretty amazing.

Thanks for your post. You're right on.

[Democracy White]

13. Hope all will go well

Medical problems are a bitch.

Hang in there you will get through it. :hug:

Dee

[rbnyc]

24. Thanks Dee

Yup. They sure are.

I'll get through.

Thanks.

:loveya:

[greeneyedpookie]

16. Oh Sweetie

hang in there. I have faith that this is just a scare. I do not talk much, however I have been here and have read all of the troubles you have gone though and was elighted when I saw that you were pregnant with your son. (got quite upset about the fridge incident, but didn't say anything.) You will have a full, enjoyful life with your husband and son, more children to come and many grandchildren. You are a beautiful person, and all the love shines through you.

GEP

:bounce:

On Edit: darn spelling!!!

[rbnyc]

That was so sweet. Wow!

I came here to get positive and get a grip and cheer up and say hi to all my favorite friends. Thanks so much for posting. I've accomplished all of that now!

:D

[greeneyedpookie]

45. Anytime hon,

anytime. :pals:

I have gone through some of the things that you have. To a certain extent. It would be a very long story. You have made it past some major hurdles, and have gone through with flying colors! Which I believe that this too, will come to pass, with the beautiful flying colors that you had with your pregnancy and with the wonderful gift of your son.

GEP

:bounce:

[flamingyouth]

19. I was just thinking of you last night.

Hadn't seen you around in a while.

Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. Here's hoping for a speedy and painless recovery. :hug:

[rbnyc]

27. Hey babe!

Thanks.

:hug:

And I'll drink to that! :toast:

[bigwillq]

20. I would relax.

No need to get all crzy trying to figure out what you have. No amount of research and information will prepare for potential bad news.

I would relax, spend time with the fam., etc.

I would wait until the doctors give you an actual diagnosis before you go and investigate.


I wish you the best.

[rbnyc]

28. You're right.

I'm trying not to speculate at all. I was starting to, and then I decided to come here instead. Thanks for being here.

:)

[bigwillq]

40. Always.

:hug:

[MuseRider]

21. Rene it is so good to see you!

Do not symptom surf or if you do realize that 99% of it will not apply to you. My husband has similar problems. He has taken meds and done what they have asked him to do check up wise and is just fine and feels much better than he did. It is not always as bad as they might make you feel.

It is scary but you can do it. You are hardened already to this kind of medical crap so hang in there, hug your sweeties and just try to relax. It most likely will amount to taking some meds and a few extra check ups.

It is so good to see you. I must miss when you check in here because I am always so pleasantly surprised when I get to see you. I hope everything else in your life is going well. :hug:

[rbnyc]

30. Hi!

Thanks. I will probably have a little surgery for the hernia, but that's pretty routine, and will help with the reflux a lot.

I like my doctor.

It's good to see you too. Sorry I'm not around much, but when I'm at home, I spend time with my son. And when he goes to sleep, I either go to sleep or every once in a while remember that I have a husband. ;-)

:hi:

[MuseRider]

37. That is exactly

how it goes at this point in motherhood! It will ebb and flow and one day you will find yourself like me, kids are gone and you have the time once again to do other things.

Hug those sweeties for me, K?

[madrchsod]

23. take a break from the medical stuff

been there- done that and it`s best to focus on other things.save up your energy so you`ll have enough when everything gets sorted out. ya, day by day....

[rbnyc]

31. totally.

thanks.

:hi:

[Darth_Kitten]

25. take it easy for now.

:hug: I'm sorry. :(

[rbnyc]

33. Thanks Kitten

Me too. I'm sick of stuff being out of sorts. Ii just want to enjoy life.

Well, it could be so much worse. Obviously compared to most people in the world, we're all truly blessed here.

:loveya:

Edit: typo

[Darth_Kitten]

46. that's the spirit!

You'll beat this thing, I'm sure. :)

(not to make light of your sickness of course) :(

Just rest, relax, and look after yourself. :)

[Tallison]

26. I'm an RN w/some GI & oncology experience. Email if you have the time, and

I can give you more specific feedback from what you've described than I'd be able to here. [e-mail]. Take heart, and I hope you're feeling better soon!

Edit for spelling.

[rbnyc]

38. Thanks. I'll write. (nt)

[u4ic]

29. Best wishes to you

I hope all turns out well. :hug:

I agree with those who state not to symptom surf...been there, done that. With GI problems, the last thing you need is more stress!

Those cameras are very thorough, so whatever is ailing you, it will be found. Sounds like you're in good hands with your specialist.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

35. rbnyc , hang in there. I know what you mean about symptom

surfing!? Try practicing some deep breating exercises to relax. You're in my thoughts.

Incidentally, I just had an endoscopy this week. Turns out I have gastritis (add that to my ulcerative colitis, and well, I got a whole lot of "itis" going on?!). I'm waiting on the results of the biopsy that was taken from the endoscopy. Oy yoy yoy!

[rbnyc]

41. You're right about stress!

Yeah, I think the camera pill is kind of cool.

:)

Thanks!

[salin]

32. Having no medical knowledge

I can't give words of comfort - or otherwise...

All I can do is send my love - and tell you again how much I admire your strength, and your dedication and love of your family which seems to inspire your strength to peak to even higher highs.

((((rbnyc))))

[leftofthedial]

34. good luck!

get it taken care of.

I had all the stuff in the "GERD" sentence. It sucks, but you can treat it.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

36. You may want to read this......

www.molocure.com

[indigo32]

39. Awe man

you have been through enough my dear
:hug:
I'll be hoping for good things for you.

[Rabrrrrrr]

42. Yikes! Sorry to hear it.

Sounds like a lot of nastiness. Not very fair, really. Best wishes to you, and I hope all goes well!


And I wish Kheph were here, too. I miss him. The movies this summer seemed to have all been made for him.

[rbnyc]

43. Family is home! I'll be back later

Thanks everyone!

[yewberry]

44. Okay, don't panic.

Really.

A little history: I have problems similar to yours. When I had my first endoscopy, I had 12 esophageal ulcers. Barely functional LES, GERD, scar tissue up to my eustacian tubes, full-blown Barrett's disease, a diagnosis of "30x more likely to develop esophageal cancer than average," and the prospect of annual biopsies.

It's okay. I'm okay. I only have to have biopsies every three yesars now, and have few symptoms.

Manage your symptoms; if you don't, it gets worse. Get your biopsies. Don't go crazy looking things up, because these problems run the gamut. There is a spectrum of damage, and you don't know where you are until you've been poked, prodded, tubed, and photographed.

I'm sorry. Don't let it make you nuts. Love your family.

Good luck, and I'll be thinking of you.

[NV Whino]

47. Wow, not fun.

Which is a bit of an understatement. You will want to get a second opinion, too. This is no slur on your doctor, just insurance and I'm sure your doctor will understand.

[UrbScotty]

48. Hugs and warm wishes.

:hug: