Everyone

[Guest guest]

Geri,

I can't remember if I had to fast or not for my ultrasound... But I did look

up the gallbladder in my Merck Manual, here is the address if you don't have

one: http://www.merck.com/

It says that pain, usually in the right upper part of the abdomen, is the

first sign of gallbladder inflammation. Go check it out, it says an awful

lot...

[Guest guest]

Every Ultrasound that I have had done of my liver, which have been many, I

was always told to fast. They sid they cannot get a good reading, if you

have food in the stomach. Lori C. AIH transplanted 3~11~97

RE: [ ] Everyone

>From: zjm@...

>

>Geri I have had 2 ultrasounds and was never told to fast.

>

> Pa.

>

>>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

>

[Guest guest]

Lori,

I had to drink 48 oz. of water before this last ultrasound (so they could

" see " the bladder) but they then told me to try to empty my bladder because

water can sometimes obscure the rest of the abdominal readings.

I already know I have cirrhosis. That's a " done deal " . Last time my

gallbladder became enormous, I was told that it was because my liver damage

stopped it's functioning, resulting in a back up there and in the bile

ducts. I don't have any of those symptoms now and I even continue to lose

weight - down to 147 lbs. from my high of 165. However, my abdomen remains

puffy and I still have that left sided pain.

Different doctors reacted to the last gallbladder enlargement in a very

assertive way. My current Hepatologist, I have a feeling, is so determined

to chalk me up as a major success story (because of lowered LFTs) that he

isn't going to see anything that will make him question the degree of

success. I'm really not sure what to do. I hate to step on any delicate

little doctor egos, but if I begin to have alarming symptoms, I'm going to

have to go elsewhere and there's nowhere to go except out of town. I worry

because now I'm taking meds that could mask symptoms. Prednisone can do

that, too. Also, the diuretics undoubtedly are keeping the edema and

possible ascites down.

Since I had and assume I still have stage IV cirrhosis, I'm wondering if

anyone with that degree of liver damage has also had experience with a

greatly enlarged gallbladder. Was yours that way pre-transplant?

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Hi Geri,

I can't help, even a tiny bit, with the gall bladder

mystery. My doctor was hoping to find a stone that

broke loose and was causing blockage somewhere along

the line, as the cause of my problems. That would

have been easier than dealing with a disease. Mine

was perfectly normal, no stones, normal size, until a

week before my transplant. One day, during one of my

regular ultrasounds, they couldn't find my gall

bladder at all. They tried from every angle and then

concluded that it collapsed. I was still in denial

and just said 'Hmm...', went on my way, back to my

hospital room, without a care in the world. It's

standard procedure to remove the gall bladder during

transplant, so regardless of the condition, I would be

without one anyway. P.S. I don't miss it, and can't

tell it's gone.

I'll be watching the posts, I would like to learn more

about it. I hope you get some answers soon.

Barbara Ann

AIH Transplant Recipient

[Guest guest]

Barbara Ann,

Two years ago they were convinced I must have a blockage that was causing

my gallbladder to stop doing it's " thing " but that wasn't what was happening.

If I felt sick I'd be worried, but I don't feel sick. Why buy

trouble? Still, nothing ever happens without a reason.

If it weren't that it would mean surgery, I'd love them to just take the

damned thing out and be done with it, but why remove a healthy (but puffed

up) organ?

I guess I'm hoping someone will tell me that some people have big

gallbladders and some people don't and either way is okay.

Incidentally, in 1997 when my gallbladder was so huge, they " cannulated "

the bile ducts (sounds like something you learn to do in cooking school)

and I lost 32 lbs. immediately afterwards, yet both the gallbladder and

bile ducts were " healthy " . Just not moving.

Ah, the mysteries we live with!

Take care,

Geri

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay, Im just getting to my email after being away

from it for a few days. Im sorry this is so delayed. I

too have the same challenges in the morning. I have to

pull myself out of bed at 530am after not sleeping

well and waking several times a night. I make myself

shower and drive to work. I spend most of the morning

trying to come up with some reason I could call in

sick. My employer has been very tolerant to my sick

time but I dont want to push my luck and I tell myself

what if there is a real sick day that I cant stay home

for. So, I go. I resent it and the people who make me

go. Its not there fault. I have been talked to about

my " bitchiness " as well. I seem to hunt and destroy

anyone who does something wrong.

Anyway, I do feel for you and your anger is yours and

there for important. I find this group is very

forgiving when it comes to venting and pity parties.

Your not alone even though IM not in Austin.

Hugs and try to take it one day or even one moment at

a time.

Jody

--- kak <majuli@...> wrote:

> Whilst I'm throwing this pity party, could I also

> express how much I wish I

> could let go and give in to the fatigue, etc? Those

> of you with significant

> others, who can wander all night, stay in bed until

> noon, as horrific as

> that is, what if you had no choice but to start

> preparing for work at 6:00

> am, no matter what.

>

> I can see I have a great deal of anger in me. I

> won't apologize to the

> group. I shouldn't need to. Maybe there is one

> person out there who

> understands.

>

> One more time - anyone in Austin?

>

> KayK in Austin, AIH, PBC - also hypertension and

> hyothyroidism

>

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

> 1.) To subscribe send e-mail to

> -subscribeonelist

> 2.) To UNsubscribe send to

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<HR>

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>

=====

Jody Compton

Dance like no one is watching. Love like it will never end.

In search of answers..

[Guest guest]

You were talking about the fear of taking the drugs because of side effects

and all the problems associated with being sick. Almost forgot myself.

take care gayle

[Guest guest]

Peggy, I had my liver biopsy just a few months ago.

And I was terrified of what it might feel like. but I

can honestly say it was not that big a deal. It does

feel like the ear piercing but yet not as painful. I

have five holes in my ears and the biopsy hurt less

than all of them.

Good luck and try to just relax. I was giving drugs to

relax..perhaps you could ask for something like that

ahead of time.

Hugs

jody

--- MadamFood@... wrote:

> PEGGY,

> NO! NO! NO! IT IS NOT LIKE BEING SHOT!!!!!No

> wonder you are so scared!

> What I said was, It is sort of like a spring loaded

> " ear piercing gun " They

> position it on the spot, and it retrieves the tissue

> sample so fast, you

> HONESTLY DON'T FEEL PAIN I am anxious for you to

> write back to us and tell

> us we are right!!!!ha!ha!

> I totally understand where you are in your dread and

> fear of the unknown.

> The anticipation of such a thing isn't very much

> fun. Be brave, but let the

> staff know how you feel, they are suppossed to

> respond to you concerns.

> best of luck

> jenny jones

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

> 1.) To subscribe send e-mail to

> -subscribeonelist

> 2.) To UNsubscribe send to

> -unsubscribeonelist

> 3.) Digest e-mail format send to

> -digestonelist

> 4.) Normal e-mail format send to

> -normalonelist

>

<HR>

<html>

>

=====

Jody Compton

Dance like no one is watching. Love like it will never end.

In search of answers..

[Guest guest]

Yes, Geri, even fasting ultrasounds.

J

>From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: RE: [ ] Everyone

>Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 04:09:42 -0800

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>,

>><< I have had several ultrasounds in gall bladder area. None had report

>>of enlarged gall bladder. >>

>>Even fasting ultrasounds?

>

>Geri

>

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

><< text3.html >>

[Guest guest]

Thanks , for the link to the Merck Manual. I didn't find anything

specifically about an enlarged gallbladder without any other obvious

symptoms. There's got to be a reason for it, but on the other hand, maybe

not. Since I don't feel ill, maybe I should just not think about it

anymore. I'd really appreciate getting test results that show nothing

unusual. Wouldn't we all?

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

,

><< I have had several ultrasounds in gall bladder area. None had report

>of enlarged gall bladder. >>

>Even fasting ultrasounds?

Geri

[Guest guest]

Don,

The great gallbladder mystery just remain a mystery. As long as it's not

diseased, I guess there's nothing to worry about, but if this isn't par for

the course with liver disease, it makes me wonder what's going on.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

The function of the gall bladder is to store bile made

by the liver. When food leaves the stomach the bile is

squirted it into the duodenum to digest fats and

neutralize acids. In the absence of a gall bladder,

the bile is constantly squirted into the duodenum

through the bile duct, because there's no place to

store it.

Barbara Ann

AIH Transplant Recipient

--- susan johnson <shireen42@...> wrote:

> If you dont miss it, does it really have a function.

> How does the bile get

> into the digestive tract?

>

> J

[Guest guest]

Geri,

Well, things have gone from bad to worse today. Remember that I said I had a

flare up of symptoms after the U of M incident last week? Well I have been

getting progressively worse all week, to the point that I had to leave work

this morning because I felt so bad. I also had to get a replacement for

tomorrow, so now the job is really on the line.

Then I got a call from the man in my Ex-husbands office regarding the Cobra

insurance I was suppossed to be on. Principal told him that Cobra was not

available for me since they have less than 20 employees. So they put me on

some State Continuance Plan for 6 months only, starting from the day of the

divorce 9-8-99. Do you or anyone else know anything about this??? I'm gonna

have to call the ins co tomorrow, then the insurance commission.

THEN, my X called and said that he would RE-MARRY me in order to keep the

insurance. That was very nice ? of him, but oh God please don't let it be

the only way. He was so abusive that I felt grateful to have finally been

free of him. I am in the PITS, big time...

[Guest guest]

Oh, , I am so sorry for the lousy things that have happened to you

today. What a lousy bunch of events to coincide. I pray that you will find

the insurance you need and lose the ex you are better off without. And most

of all that you start feeling well enough to keep your upcoming appointment.

You have a disability and it is well-known where you work. It would be

unconscionable for your boss to take any action against - and perhaps it

would even be actionable on your part.

I'm thinking about you, sweetie. You have been a lot of help to me.

KayK

[Guest guest]

thans jody for your support peggy god bless

[Guest guest]

,

Have you contacted your local doctor and updated him about what's going on,

just in case it's something that might need immediate attention? I know

you weren't getting any help, but don't let yourself get into too much risk.

Just two more days until Miami. Get through tomorrow, and hopefully

whoever goes with you will do the driving and let you try to rest during

the trip.

Your employer could be walking a very thin line if they tried to let you go

because of illness. You do have some legal protection on that score. If

you're working on a contract basis or have an " at will " employment

agreement, it could be tricky. My son just reluctantly signed an " at will "

employment contract and he's not at all comfortable with it.

I sent the group a file I have on COBRA. It does say that companies with

fewer than 20 employees are exempt, but does your ex's employer have fewer

than 20 at all locations or is it a one-location company? And are they

counting all employees including brass? It sounds like they're trying to

be difficult. I would contact COBRA directly and ask some more questions,

and definitely talk to the State Insurance Commissioner's office, just to

make sure you aren't being jerked around (not that anyone would do

something like that, hm?) You also should contact the state agency that

handles the Continuance plan.

That was nice of your ex to offer. I told my husband about it and he asked

me if your ex was maybe trying to use this to get back together? But even

if you had no other options, be sure that you would remain under his

insurance coverage without getting caught in some pre-existing condition

provision. Usually there's open enrollment once a year (I think) and a

plan has to take all dependents and can't hold them to pre-existing terms

if they've been continuously insured. I don't know all of the

technicalities, but insurance companies have deep pockets and they will

pull out all the stops if they don't want to cover a potentially expensive

enrollee.

The last thing you need is to go back to an abusive situation. I hope your

ex isn't proposing a reconciliation, like living together? At least he's

showing some heart and that sounds like an improvement over what you were

going through a few months ago.

When you're in Miami, depending on what they find, why don't you contact

their Social Services Dept.? I don't understand the psychology behind it,

but you're in a better position to ask for medical financial assistance

while you're insured than you will be if you're not insured. Now you'd

just be asking a rhetorical question and they're less apt to hedge, don't

you think?

Either way, , put yourself on auto-pilot through Thursday, then see

those good doctors who are waiting for you in Miami. Surely our social

structure isn't so broken down that sick people have to drain their energy

reserves trying to get a little help?

Take care and keep smiling. You've been so uplifting to all of us, I hate

seeing you " down " now.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Kay K,

Thanks for the kind words... I don't feel any better physically today, but

mentally I'm resigned to the fact that life isn't fair. I can't afford to

let myself stay upset so I'm trying to keep it at one day at a time... Having

the support of all of you wonderful people helps so very much....

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

:

Just to let you know when they let me go at work I called a lawyer and asked

if they could do that. Yes if they offered me some sort of job for the hours

I could work. My doctor had me down to 4 hours a day and wanted down to two

so they offered me a job in the warehouse two hours a night running reports

on the computer. I said no thanks not during dinner time. It wasn't worth

getting dress for 2 hours. I would not had no insurance, vacation or

nothing. So I took the total disability.

Sue AIH

Wisconsin

[Guest guest]

,

It sounds to me like your ex owes you big time! If you can get back any of

what he owes you just by being on his insurance, go for it.

About your employer, call the Florida State Human Rights Commission. It's

a start - if you can get through to someone. Tell them your situation (in

theory at this point) and ask them what your recourse is. Also, your

bargaining power is much better while you're still working. Easier to get

them to keep you than make them take you back. I worked with a woman a few

years ago who had cancer and almost died. Our mutual employer, of course,

tried to get rid of her but she took action and they had to keep her on and

" accommodate " her. Your illness should qualify as a disability and the

doctors in Miami are most apt to give you supporting documentation. You

have some protection if you're considered disabled. I also worked with a

woman who'd had a kidney transplant, and she also was accommodated by our

employer. She worked the hours she could and they had to keep a position

open for her. It's illegal to fire someone because they are ill or miss

work because of illness, but many people don't pursue their rights. There

are attorneys, for that matter, who specialize in litigation for wrongful

termination and some of them will take a case on contingency (they only are

paid if they win). Some of them are " flakes " but not all. Let me think

about this some more - I've done some research on the subject for my son

but it's been awhile back. His company had to reinstate him (though he

didn't go back) and pay him profit sharing and bonuses for the period after

they wrongfully terminated him.

I filed a complaint against an employer through the EEOC back in 1972 when

I found out that I was earning less than half the pay all the men in my

department were earning. It was air cargo operations, a male dominated

field, but I had more experience and more responsibilities. Once the EEOC

got involved they couldn't fire me and in fact it was like I had a

red-white-and blue angel on my shoulder for the next 11

years. Incidentally, they not only doubled my salary but they had to

re-evaluate the salaries of every woman in the company (1200 employees) and

it cost them a bundle. In addition, they boosted my position to management

though they never would have let me manage people - I was too much of an

advocate for people who were being s * * * * * d on the job. I finally

quit the job in 1983 and they actually kept me on salary for a month,

asking me repeatedly to reconsider and come back. But I was burned out and

think that company and it's politics triggered my current illness! This

kind of action is very rough on the person who undertakes it and I wouldn't

recommend it to anyone who isn't strong enough to follow it through. I

couldn't go through it again, but victory was sweet - because I was

RIGHT!!!

Speaking of working - my husband hasn't been able to work for more than a

year because of his back and today got a call from the CEO of an

engineering firm who asked him if he'd consider working part-time. Bob's

an electrical engineer specializing in high voltage (electrical

transmission lines and those big electrical sub-stations that blight the

landscape). It gets tricky here because he already has a job and is

collecting good disability pay plus all of our medical, dental and life is

paid in full, but when that runs out, they will surely let him go. The

tricky question here is whether he will be giving up his non-job by

accepting a part-time position or what. Lord, what we go through sometimes

to survive!

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

thanx carolyn for bringing that to my attention...i did a virus scan and hv

no viruses on my comp....phew!!!!

>From: " Carolyn Wilkinson " <evinmoon@...>

>Reply- egroups

> " " <LiverSupport-legroups>

>Subject: [ ] Everyone

>Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 10:59:52 -0800

>

>Hello Everyone,

> I hate to bring this subject up again but I received an e-mail

>last night between 9:48 & 9:54 pm in between & Karishma's e-mail and

>all the other for 5 or 6 above and below were from the group. In between

>the two was the " HaHaHa " virus' e-mail. Someone out there still has that

>virus. I didn't open it, in fact, I now have my computer set to not open

>any e-mail, only preview it. Everyone needs to check their computer for

>viruses. It's not destructive just aggravating. I don't mean to point

>fingers, and Karishma, just bringing it up for everyone to check

>their computer. We don't need any unwanted guest like viruses. Thanks

>for letting me open my mouth...Carolyn... Keep smiling. You never know

>who's life you will touch with a simple smile.

________________________________________________________________________________\

_____

Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/24/01 9:40:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, gefox@... writes:

Hi..... just letting you know I`m still around... Been kind of tired a

lot lately and didn`t feel like writing, but I`ve been reading all the

posts.

I'm glad to hear things are going well.

Harper

[Guest guest]

does anyone live near San , Tx. or College Station, Tx.?

[Guest guest]

I didn't realize I was preaching size 4 every day. actually crap I won't say

anything, I'm tired of the bitching too. The whining about whoa is me I gained

a pound, whoa is me I didn't lose weight, whoa is me, whoa is me. It works both

ways . I'm a bit fed up with it as well, so why don't we all stop the

bitching and find something positive to discuss, huh?

aW

Not listing due to bitching

Re: Trudy shopping

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 8/3/01 8:51:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> > TeacherGator@a... writes:

> >

> >

> > > Trudy -

> > > what is your secret? That is my problem, at least when I

was

> pre-op I hated

> > > shopping and buying huge clothes. Now, I HAVE to buy

anything

> that looks

> > > good, so my husband would like to know what your trick is!

LOL

> > >

> > > : )

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> > I don't know about Trudy but my secret is having no money. I

> went into the

> > Gap the other day and tried on and looked so fab in their

size 4

> dark denim

> > boot cut leg jeans I am in LOVE WITH THEM!!! I have been

> obsesssing about

> > them ever since I tried them on!! But having no money they

are

> still at the

> > Gap hopefully thinking about me! Until one day we will

finally

> belong to each

> > other.

> >

> > Busching

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Go for it )

Love, B. and girls