My second visit to Miami

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

My day started out with a phone call from Miami saying my appointment was

cancelled with Dr. Tzakis due to an emergency liver transplant. Very

understandable, but I was lost. A few hours later Dr. Tzakis' secretary

called and said that when she had gotten to work this morning there was a

note from him saying that he would still see me, but during breaks in the

surgery, in the operating room. I was thrilled, as you can imagine. What a

nice man!!!

So we got there and they said that he could not see me, but that he was

sending his partner, Dr. Pinna, in his place. Dr. Pinna was very nice and

reviewed my records and xrays. He said I have AIH and needed to be started

on steroids right away, and that he would have them set me up with an

appointment to come back and see a hepatologist. He's a transplant surgeon.

Come to find out he didn't know about the fiasco of my first trip, but once

I'd told him he called Dr. Reddy and asked him to do him a favor and come in

to see me! I think it may have been Dr. Reddy's day off!

Dr. Reddy reviewed my records also and said that he wasn't sure, he needed a

few more tests, but probably either PSC or AIH. He said that the extreme

dizziness I had was not a symptom of AIH, maybe stress. It was so bad today

I had to hold on to my sister to keep from falling down. He was gonna send

me home then, but I asked if there was nothing he could do today? So he

ordered 3 more blood tests, ANA & AMA ( ANA has been positive, AMA negative),

and also a new one Immunoglobins. I did question him as to Dr. Pinna's

definite AIH diagnosis, but he was not sure himself yet. I did the blood

work there, and he is supposed to call me next Tuesday. He mentioned an ERCP

and a 2nd biopsy. Not a real personable man, but Dr. Pinna said he was the

best. Of course I'm not sure how friendly I'd be if I was called in on my

day off either!

So I am started there. I was not comfortable with leaving, since I was so

sick and now can't work. I guess I was hoping for an Rx. of Prednisone to

start me feeling well enough to work next week, and not be fired. Oh well,

we all know how long it takes to get a diagnosis...... I am so grateful to

these three Dr's for going out of their way for me.

I went to see Patty, but she was still in recovery, and they said she'd be

there awhile yet... I left her a note, but I really wanted to see her and

hug her neck... ((((((((((((((((PATTY))))))))))))))

, I know Dr. Reddy is your Dr. and that you love him, so here's hoping!

Joan, I'm sorry once again for not being able to make time for you, but it

took all day and my sister had to get home. She's gotta go all the way back

down there at 6:00 AM for the races in Homestead. She is such a doll, I

don't know what I would have ever done with out her.

So stay tuned next week for the continuing quest to find a diagnosis and

treatment....

Hugs to all,