Posted 10/26/2012 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
So here's how it went:
Mon., Oct 22nd, I arrived at Mayo Davis Lab at 7 AM. I got called back for fasting blood work about 7:45. The first person who tried to get a vein couldn't get it. The 2nd person got it, but blood stopped flowing after 4 vials. There were 10 that needed to be done. I normally have labs drawn by 2 particular phlebotomists at Cannady Lab. I got a volunteer to push me over there (trying to avoid long walks due to my rt. knee pain.) Arrived to find it was SRO and was told I'd have to go to the back of the line. I nixed that idea and got a push back to the Davis lab to at least do urine collection and get a container for 24-hour urine. I got that done and then went to my fasting ultrasound appt. at 9:15. Following that, I went back to Cannady Lab, which had mostly cleared out. Neither of the two guys who usually take my blood were there, so I took my chances with someone else, and she was able to get a vein.
I had some time to kill before my appt. with the Transplant Coordinator at 1:30 PM. I made some calls and read, but couldn't eat as I had to be fasting for the MRI. When I asked about hep C treatment, the TC said I would have to be at a Grade 4, Stage 4 scarring before I could get hep C treatment, as the treatment causes problems with Prograf. It seems that they won't do it until it's absolutely necessary on a post-transplant patient. This just makes no sense to me.
I had the fasting MRI at 5:30 PM with contrast. The nurse had some problems finding vein access for the IV contrast. I held my arm under running hot water for a minute, and she did manage to find a vein. The MRI lasted 35 min. or so. My knee began hurting while I was in the tube...whether from having to lie still or from the cold, I don't know. I got out of there about 7:10 PM and called a neighbor to pick me up, as we had prearranged. At first, he didn't think he could as his lights wouldn't work. Turned out to be a loose wire and he got it fixed and picked me up. Got home at 7:45 PM. Talk about a long day.
Tues., the 23td, I had prearranged with another neighbor to go with me to the biopsy. They require someone to be with you. She went with me the last time, also. Since she doesn't drive, either, we took a cab there and back. As noted earlier, the biopsy didn't hurt much. They kept me to monitor me for 3 1/2 hours. Everything has gone well, with no bruising or other problems.
I have slept a lot the past two days. Was able to move all other appts. to Nov. 11th and 12th.
I've mentioned that my TC called today and said the MRI was clear. She woke me up from a nap, so there are things I wanted to ask about that I couldn't remember. Will write them down and ask when I see her on Nov. 12th. When I again expressed my disappointment about not being able to start treatment, she said to discuss it with the hepatologist the same day I see her next month. If they wait that long, I could again have HCC and not be eligible for treatment.
I'm just glad that the testing is behind me for awhile.
Hugs,
Connie