Went to the Doctor Today

January 21, 2003

Well, I went to see my PCP today, to discuss my problem with stomach acid. I

was armed with all my information, except my surgical records (which I am

picking up from the hospital tomorrow). He agreed that there is a

possibility that I have H. Pylori, and possibly staple line disruption. He

also concurred that there is no way to make a real diagnosis of H. Pylori in

me without doing another scope (I've already been diagnosed with it and

treated before, and once testing positive, always testing positive by

blood). Taking the least invasive tactic right now, he has put me on a brand

new treatment for H. Pylori. If it doesn't STOP the stomach acid problem and

gastric reflux, I am going to have another scope for a biopsy and look for

staple line disruption. My old surgeon (retired) told me last week that I

should not be having this problem. I think my PCP was a bit surprised that I

had done the research that I have, and knew as much as I did. I told him if

this didn't work, I'd be right back in his office, with my surgical records

in hand. I've already lost all my teeth, and I am NOT going to wait for

esophageal cancer to set in before we do anything else. I told him I KNOW I

didn't have a dissection when my surgery was done, but if there is any

indication of staple line disruption, I'm going to demand a revision.

On the other hand, I am blessed. At almost 21 years post op, this is a

minor, in my opinion, bump in the road. I weighed in at 155 today (I'm 5'10

and wear a size 8), and the doctor's nurse tells me that their scales are 5

lbs over. My ideal weight is 160. I'm approaching, in another 5 years,

going half of my life, at last, without someone telling me I need to lose

one single pound. Other than indigestion, I look and feel better at 47 (next

month) than I did for the first 26 years of my life.

As a funny story...a few weeks ago, they were having a party at the Elks

Lodge we belong to. Ages range from about 25 to late 70's. They asked me to

play Marilyn Monroe for a skit. And I was told, point blank, that they

wanted me to play the part because I had the best figure of anybody there.

:0 And that's without ANY plastic surgery. LOL. I'm in a sad crowd of folks.

Okay, I'm going on the H. Pylori meds. Will keep you all posted on the

results. By the way, H. Pylori is the bacterium that causes ulcers. It is

NOT WLS related. Skinny people have it too.

Jac

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