More or less. From what I have been told, it will still take about a week or so to get any results from pathology. But the thing that had been a more immediate concern, i.e., the process involved with doing the biopsy, is done and over. And, quite honestly, I am now not sure what the hell I was so stressed about.
Ok, that's not entirely true. Having a needle that has to be long enough to reach whatever organ is being examined stuck into you is never going to be a very appetizing thought. I have tattoos, have had multiple piercings...but that doesn't mean I want those needles going any deeper, know what I mean?
I was surprised yesterday to learn that the procedure I had viewed on YouTube (and posted videos of in my previous post) has actually been modified at some hospitals. As explained to me by my attending nurse, instead of making an incision on the right side and inserted a fairly large needle (which is hollow to allow smaller needles to be used in collecting biopsy samples), they use a CT scan to find the exact placement of my liver had me follow some basic breathing exercises in order to pinpoint how the liver moves and the best place to insert the needle. Before all of that, I was given an IV with a mild sedative to relax me (which was awesome, by the way...), but not enough to put me out. After determining exactly the best spot to go in, the surface of the skin (and slightly deeper) was numbed with shots of Lidocaine. The biopsy needle was positioned and inserted. As expected from the overview the nurse gave me, I did indeed feel a bit of a push when it went into my liver. Four samples were taken and then we were done. Had to hang around for about three hours of observation and blood pressure monitoring, but then Amy and I were able to head out and go to lunch. Soreness started kicking in a bit in the afternoon and I crashed for a bit, the adrenalin rush that accompanied my anxiety having been depleted. Still a little sore today, but not horribly so. At least now I know what is involved in the event I have to do it again which, lets face it, is highly likely given my condition.
Now it is a waiting game for the results. This biopsy was mainly to determine if any cirrhosis is present in the liver, a condition brought on by the hemochromatosis. I am hopeful as my gastroenterologist told me that no growths, spots, or sign of liver cancer were indicated in my ultrasound or MRI, nor any early indicators of cancer shown in the plethora of blood work I have already done. Next Thursday I have my first phlebotomy treatment. I think I will try to record it and hyperlapse the whole thing to post...
Hey Sean, what's a phlebotomy treatment? Is that the blood letting thing you referred to? I was recently diagnosed as having a fatty liver.....not a lot but a bit. I guess I should cut down on red meat, too? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteYep. Phlebotomy is the blood letting treatment. I have to have it done weekly for a few years, then periodically, probably, for the rest of my life. I was also diagnosed with fatty liver. The great thing about that is that it is totally reversible. But don't try to lose weight too fast; a gradual and slow loss is recommended. And even though I have been a lifelong carnivore, eating my red meat as rare as it can be legally prepared, I have to acknowledge that cutting it down or out entirely is perhaps something everyone should consider. I am a big believer in moderation and doing what works for you in your personal life, so I will never tell someone they HAVE to eliminate anything. For myself, I do not eat steak or ribs as much anymore and have replaced dishes that call for hamburger with ground turkey or chicken. I have always been a big guy, but I think I can already feel the difference the small changes are making.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice....yeah, small changes will make all the difference, I think! Let's make it a GOOD life....and a long one! :-)
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