Liver Problem - UPDATE

[Guest guest]

Hi Gang,

They couldn't do the Cat Scan 'cause I'm too FAT for the machine, not that I

wouldn't fit INTO it, but that I would break the gears that move the table.

Sheeessh! D/H and I waited and then 2 minutes before my appointment I'm told

to go down and see my doctor.

This is what Dr Shikora told me: When the other doc looked over my

gallbladder ultrasound Tuesday...he saw a spot on my liver. He then called

told him this info over the phone! So Dr Shikora scheduled the Cat Scan.

Then Wednesday....he checks out the written report on my ultrasound. It says

my liver is unremarkable, in other words, nothing wrong was detected. So, Dr

S is pissed to say the least!!! He wants to know why the discrepincy (sp) in

the reports!!! He promised me he was going to get on the phone Wed.

afternoon and talk to the doc who gave him the info over the phone. If there

is/was a spot it most certainly should have been noted in the written report.

Of course I broke down and cried and he said to me,

'You went crazy on me yesterday and last nite didn't you? You were worrying

weren't you?' Well...'ya, how could I not? I've waited one very long year

for this and to possibly have it snatched away at the last minute, (some of

you have had this problem as well) possibly because I had cancer? I

couldn't get my mind around that idea. So he scolded me, but he was as happy

as I was with the written report. He's such a luv!

Dr Shikora can't say for sure that I don't have cancer (we all know that) but

he said he was so sure that I didn't, that he isn't canceling my surgery this

coming Monday. I don't display any of the symptoms, and yes I was on birth

control pills in my younger days, and it might be adhesions or a bundle of

blood vessels or a benign cyst or maybe something else that won't cause me

any harm.

He also said this was the first time in 9 years that he's had a patient (and

he's done over 800 surgeries) with a liver problem. Not only that...but he's

had 2 patients within 2 weeks!

What Dr S is going to do is have that doctor give my liver an ultrasound scan

while my belly is open. Do it right on the liver, right on the operating

table, no going thru all my blubber first. That's how sure he wants to be,

even though its an extra risk for me for a site infection, he'd rather know

absolutely if anything is wrong with my liver. Like I said, he's extremely

thorough and I'm very glad for that. My PCP who recommended him was right

about him and all the other info I researched about him was true also. He's

a stickler for detail and strict about the way he does things.

Now...for all of you guys!!! First, forgive me for not responding

individually, I am much too drained.

My heart is so very full of love for all of you who responded with the

kindest of words and thoughts, who gave me hope and encouragement and prayed

for me. I cannot express the depth of my emotions when I read your emails.

You induced me to have confidence in myself and my doctor. I felt elated,

exhaused, relieved and yes, I was crying, all at the same time. But mostly

my heart was filled with more love than I've ever felt before.

You wanted me to see this setback in only a promising light when all I could

see was darkness. I cannot thank you all enough, I truly can't. I'm

reaching out to all of you and enveloping you all in a group hug and a

smattering of kisses.

Thank you again from the depths of my heart.

Hugs and Blessings,

Rose

Pre-Op

August 14th

Dr Shikora

Boston, MA