The resident asked me a few questions; he didn't know anything about me. He asked what kind of transplant I had, when, how it was going, etc. It really just seemed like he was trying to fill the silence while we waited on my nurse and doctor. Dr Wali rushed in. I told him about my pancreas pain and swelling and about missing my medication the week before. Concerned about the unexplained pain, he ordered an ultrasound STAT.
My nurse Linda explained they would do the ultrasound, and then I would need to wait for Dr Wali to determine if I would go home or require an admission. I was taken aback. "Admission for what?" Linda explained if there was a blood flow problem, I would need to be admitted immediately.
We found the ultrasound department, and I sent everyone else to lunch. It was already 2:30 and no one had eaten. I was pleasantly surprised; they called me in within 15 minutes. ... Hooray for STAT orders!
The tech started my ultrasound on my kidney side and it was pretty uneventful. Moving over to my pancreas was NOT. I am amazed at how much it hurt and how much she couldn't tell. She kept reminding me not to move. (I was really making my best effort, and she was applying pressure to an area that hurt without even touching.) At 3:50, she left to review the pics with a supervisor. At 4:00, she returned with two supervisors and they started again. They discussed what they could and could not see on the screen.
I could hear them, but I couldn't tell who was saying what.
I wanted information, but instead I heard uncertainty and it was unnerving.
I could hear them, but I couldn't tell who was saying what.
I wanted information, but instead I heard uncertainty and it was unnerving.
"That's her ovary, right?"
"And her pancreas?"
"That's not a pancreas. What is it?"
"Why is it wrapped around like that?"
"This is surely her pancreas."
"Is it pro-fused?"
"That's the iliac."
"That's a cyst, right?"
"Here's the thrombosis."
"Maybe pancreatitis."
"This is definitely arterial."
"The venal is ok."
"It's a sizable hematoma."
They went on for a while. Basically, I understood that they were unsure what they were looking at. I tried to rationalize that my insides look different than most people's. I uneasily left the ultrasound department at 5 p.m. The tech called me shortly thereafter and told me I was going to be admitted immediately per Dr Wali's orders. I ventured a "Why?" but she could only tell me that's what he decided.
I sent everyone else home; the kids can't be in a hospital room. I tried to get admitted quickly but got really slowed down as paperwork wasn't ready. I took care of some phone calls, ate dinner and talked to my nurse. She told me the ultrasound strongly suggested a blood clot, but they'll do a CT scan in the hospital to confirm. They will start me on an IV blood thinner right away because I am in an emergent situation. If the blood flow is cut off, I will lose the pancreas.
OMG - this is devastating. I had a pancreas now and I'm potentially going to lose it. I try to block out the overwhelming gravity of this revelation. I have to stay positive, I remind myself. I am grateful that action is being taken right away.
OMG - this is devastating. I had a pancreas now and I'm potentially going to lose it. I try to block out the overwhelming gravity of this revelation. I have to stay positive, I remind myself. I am grateful that action is being taken right away.
My nurse, the hospital and I have different opinions on the definition of "right away."
Within an hour, I had paperwork to fill out.
Forty five minutes later, I was assigned a room.
An hour and a half later, a resident briefed me on what to expect: IV blood thinners now, CT scan during the night to confirm clot, probably be on blood thinners for weeks to months, but it can be taken care of.
Two hours later, I received some treatment. I got an IV and a Heparin (blood thinner) drip. I remind myself to be patient; it's going to work. And I am grateful there's a solution at hand.
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