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NOT SURE WHERE TO POST-STOMACH PAIN LEADS TO CONFUSING ER VISIT HELP!

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Posted 5/1/2011 4:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone ... I'm new to this forum and am wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this:

Last night, I took my 47 year old husband to the ER. He has had severe gastrointestinal pain for the past week. We assumed he needed his appendics removed or had a blockage in intestines. At the ER, they ran a scan on his stomach organs.

Today (12 hours after arriving at ER), a doctor finally gave us the results of his scan. He told us that there WAS inflammation in the appendics area, but also, they found spots on his liver. He went on to explain that COMMONLY, these spots are malignant tumors. That my husband likley has cancer in his intestines that spread to his liver.

Now, this doctor has not done a single test yet and can't until Monday, when the specialists will be there to run two tests:

A colonoscopy to "find" the cancer

Biopsy the spots on the liver, which are nearly always malignant.

He said to my husband, "You probably have stage 4 liver cancer. That's the END stage".

After the doctor left the room, we both cried. It felt like he had just signed my husband's death certificate. I've been devastated all day ... until I read a couple of articles on the internet stating that spots on liver are not ALWAYS malignant tumors AND found some posts from people with exact same symptoms who are fine. No cancer.

Now, I'm confused as to why this doctor was SO certain that my husband has cancer. There were two interns in the room with the doctor, so I'm wondering if he said all of that to "teach" the interns how to diagnose.

I would sincerely appreciate any answers that I can find. If you need more info on symptoms, please let me know. I'm a wreck mentally today and am typing through tears. I hope this makes sense!

Thanks.

Sarah
Posted 5/1/2011 7:33 AM (GMT 0)
Sarah, You're right they need to do more tests as they can't tell without doing a liver biopsy or a colonoscopy. I think I would ask to speak with a GI Dr. who looks after both the colon and the liver procedure. Also I would get a copy of his blood work and check out the liver enzymes the GGT, Alt. AST, Albumin and Bilirubin, PT, CBC,HCt, urea and creatinine and other blood test that a Hematologist would have to see him if they are high and see if these tests are outside the normal range. I know this must be distressing but there are many factors that have to be looked at here. Of course I'm not a Dr. but of course you need to see these Specialists to get a complete diagnosis. I hope everything is okay. Rest up this weekend as next week will be busy for both of you. Take care and praying everything will be alright. Sara
Posted 5/1/2011 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. Sara -- And thanks for your advice. Interestingly, because my husband was involved in a car accident in 1/08, he has had lots of medical tests for several different things. Including recent CBC -- the bloodwork came back fine and he also had a clear chest x-ray recently, too. He had surgery to correct nerves in his shoulder and arm in 2/09 (accident related) ... again, nothing out of the ordinary was found.

I have some serious doubts about this doctor. Most of the time, doctors won't speculate on a diagnosis until tests are complete and am livid with him for providing us with so much info. He knows we have a 5 day wait. The stress alone is killing me and can't be good for my husband.

As I said, I'm wondering if he was trying to show off in front of the interns. This is not a teaching hospital. I guess all that I can do now is pray and I'm so thankful that you will be praying, too.

Thanks so much for your input. It's really appreciated.

Also, it looks as if you're in some severe pain yourself. I will be praying for you as well. I hope it works since I'm not devoutly religious!

Thanks and YOU'LL be in my thoughts.

Sarah
Posted 5/5/2011 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to everyone for your support and advice.

We got the biopsy results today.  The liver growths were, in fact, malignant.  There's also a growth on his colon. Next Tuesday, they're gonna remove that, too.  That same doctor told me that it WILL be malignant.

They'll treat him agressively with chemo and we're determined to keep a positive attitude.

God will watch over him.  I just know it.  I cannot lose him.

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