Some Good News ! ! !

The Slab Bacon

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« on: March 04, 2012, 01:57:39 PM »

As many of you know, for the last 2 years I have been battling with some health issues. After bleeding out and dying twice, I finally got good news from my doctor.

I was diagnosed with liver disease 2 1/2 years ago and this came as a total shock to me as I haven't drank alcohol for 29 years this year. Unfortunately it is a byproduct of having Type-2 Diabetes, playing it off and not taking care of your self.

This condition has left me with a condition called Esophageal Varices which are varicose veins / arteries in your esophagus. (This is a common byproduct of liver disease) After 1 minor and 2 massive attacks where I vomited blood until I bled out. Then the EMTs hauled me out of here they were unable to get a BP on me and had pretty much given me up for the worst.

After being treated at a local neighborhood horsepistol I was told that there was nothing they could do, and my only hope of survival was a liver transplant if I could get one. Their liver specialist told me that If I got out of there to get my afairs in order that I didnt have long on this rock. That was pretty crushing news for someone who was always a tough guy!! It left me feeling very drained and helpless.

(Here is where It all changes) Thanks to my loving wife (that I often refer to as the "war dept") who was determined not to give up on me, started inquiring around for a liver transplant. She / we battled with my insurance company to cover it and after the threat of death and dismemberment, they agreed to it. This quest for a liver transplant took us to Johns Hopkins Hospital here in Baltimore. After many tests and consultations with their liver specialist things changed.............

On one of our consultation visits he floored me with a remark: "I got some good news for you and also some bad news" After receiving a years worth of the worst news (including the passing of some close friends) I said to give me the good news first. He said that I was ineligible at this time for transplant. I said if that is good news I'm terrified at the "bad news". He said: "well, the bad news is that you will probably have to work until I was 65." I looked him with a very puzzled look and said how is no transplant good news??

He said that my liver, although damaged is still functioning pretty well as long as I dont overwork it. Then I asked him : "Well what about the bleeding and the varices?? I have survived 3 attacks of something with a 25% survival rate?" He looked at me very confidently and said: "We'll patch them up and you will be good to go".

Well......................... After the 6th endoscopic proceedure friday, and a grand total of 41 rubber bands being put around my esophageal hemmrhoids. (that is exactly what they amount to be) These are no fun, and you are a sick, nauseated, hurtin puppy for a few days after (and unable to eat anything). He has released me!! And told me to schedule an appointment in 6 months for follow up and maintenance if necessary. It's about time for a little good news.! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I have been a bit groggy and dopey for the last 2 days trying to shake off the cobwebs from the anesthesia, but it's over for a while! !

I just want to thank all of you that have kept in touch with us through the whole mess! God Bless you all from both of us!

And to those of you who are having health issues, do not play them off, get it taken care of, and most important of all- - seek the absolute BEST medical care you can get!! The right doctor / hospital can make all of the difference in the world. The "liver specialist" from the local neighborhood was a babling idiot!! and that hospital did everything wrong and came within inches of finishing me off! My new liver specialist at Hopkins is the man!! He / they dont play!! They get it done!


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