I'm sorry I haven't been around to update what's been going on with me health-wise. I so appreciate all of the support and kindness I received from everyone while I was in the hospital 
-- it really helped me get through everything...
As far as what was found, there is still a lot that is up in the air. I originally went to the hospital because I had been feeling short of breath for weeks. I then started to feel dizzy, light-headed, and as though my heart was beating too quickly and much too hard. I have been sick on and off since before Thanksgiving. It was a sinus infection that lingered and I had been feeling unwell for a while. Therefore, I didn't put much stock in the fact that I was still not feeling well months later. I had seen the doctor a couple of times and had been on two courses of antibiotics. No one thought much of it -- I think we all thought it was a viral infection that just wouldn't quit. But, after a while, my friends became more convinced that I needed to go to the hospital. And, on Wednesday, when I was still wheezing, extraordinarily tired, and having chest discomfort, my doctor agreed and I was sent off.
Originally, it appeared that I had a mild case of pericarditis. I've had it before and know it generally runs its course and can be treated with rest and anti-inflammatories. An echocardiogram confirmed the pericarditis and I was set to go home. But, the doctor urged me to stay as my lab results were off. My WBC was normal, but I had a high sedimentation rate which could signal anything from anemia to inflammation to cancer. My liver enzymes were also elevated and I did prove to be anemic. For the most part, everything else looked okay. But, because I have some other medical conditions, the doctor was concerned that I could potentially be dealing with something along the lines of an autoimmune disorder. And, lupus was his first thought. This was not a new idea as it's something my doctor has been considering for some time now. But, I've been resistant to additional testing and I have not wanted to see a rheumatologist. But, as a result of this hospitalization, I will be exploring all options in the coming weeks and months.
While in the hospital, I had an EKG, an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of my gallbladder, a HIDA scan to determine gallbladder function, and an upper endoscopy. The results of the EKG were normal aside from a slight rapid heart rate. The echo showed mild pericarditis. The ultrasound of my gallbladder was negative, but the HIDA scan showed that my gallbladder does not fully contract and, as such, is not functioning properly. The endoscopy showed a healing esophageal tear and a large non-bleeding esophageal ulcer. Repeat blood tests were done, but many of the results were not available to me at the time of my discharge. For now, the plan is to meet with the surgeon who did my appendectomy in 2009 and to follow up with my regular doctor and cardiologist. And, as far as seeing a rheumatologist, a referral was made and I will be meeting with a new team of doctors (hopefully) within the month. It's a lot, but, aside from being fearful at times, I am in good spirits.
Physically, I'm still weak. I have aches and pains which I tend to obsess over. My lymph nodes in my neck (right side) below my jaw are swollen and I have a lump in one of my salivary glands that is acting up. My right ear is clogged and crackly, my throat is a bit sore, and I am developing a cough, but that's no big deal. I am still wheezing and short of breath, but I am breathing easier these days despite the pericarditis. I was on heavy-duty medication while hospitalized and it's difficult getting off of that and back on to my regular meds. But, I'm back to work (and thankfully did not miss any work during my hospital stay) and feeling okay. And, as far as I'm concerned, okay is pretty good. I am having some difficulty in maintaining my weight through all of this, but I am managing as best I can. More than anything, my struggles right now are emotional. It is a lot to go through a hospitalization and then come home to a world of unknowing, but I feel like I am in a good enough space to be level-headed. That doesn't mean that I am not afraid or unsure, but it does mean that I'm handling it as best as I can.
I'm not up to going into specifics where every blood test or scan is concerned. But, since you've all been offering such kindness, support, prayers, and vibes, I felt as though I owed you an update. Thank you all for all you do and for being here for me and for so many others. It means more than you know...
-- it really helped me get through everything...As far as what was found, there is still a lot that is up in the air. I originally went to the hospital because I had been feeling short of breath for weeks. I then started to feel dizzy, light-headed, and as though my heart was beating too quickly and much too hard. I have been sick on and off since before Thanksgiving. It was a sinus infection that lingered and I had been feeling unwell for a while. Therefore, I didn't put much stock in the fact that I was still not feeling well months later. I had seen the doctor a couple of times and had been on two courses of antibiotics. No one thought much of it -- I think we all thought it was a viral infection that just wouldn't quit. But, after a while, my friends became more convinced that I needed to go to the hospital. And, on Wednesday, when I was still wheezing, extraordinarily tired, and having chest discomfort, my doctor agreed and I was sent off.
Originally, it appeared that I had a mild case of pericarditis. I've had it before and know it generally runs its course and can be treated with rest and anti-inflammatories. An echocardiogram confirmed the pericarditis and I was set to go home. But, the doctor urged me to stay as my lab results were off. My WBC was normal, but I had a high sedimentation rate which could signal anything from anemia to inflammation to cancer. My liver enzymes were also elevated and I did prove to be anemic. For the most part, everything else looked okay. But, because I have some other medical conditions, the doctor was concerned that I could potentially be dealing with something along the lines of an autoimmune disorder. And, lupus was his first thought. This was not a new idea as it's something my doctor has been considering for some time now. But, I've been resistant to additional testing and I have not wanted to see a rheumatologist. But, as a result of this hospitalization, I will be exploring all options in the coming weeks and months.
While in the hospital, I had an EKG, an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of my gallbladder, a HIDA scan to determine gallbladder function, and an upper endoscopy. The results of the EKG were normal aside from a slight rapid heart rate. The echo showed mild pericarditis. The ultrasound of my gallbladder was negative, but the HIDA scan showed that my gallbladder does not fully contract and, as such, is not functioning properly. The endoscopy showed a healing esophageal tear and a large non-bleeding esophageal ulcer. Repeat blood tests were done, but many of the results were not available to me at the time of my discharge. For now, the plan is to meet with the surgeon who did my appendectomy in 2009 and to follow up with my regular doctor and cardiologist. And, as far as seeing a rheumatologist, a referral was made and I will be meeting with a new team of doctors (hopefully) within the month. It's a lot, but, aside from being fearful at times, I am in good spirits.
Physically, I'm still weak. I have aches and pains which I tend to obsess over. My lymph nodes in my neck (right side) below my jaw are swollen and I have a lump in one of my salivary glands that is acting up. My right ear is clogged and crackly, my throat is a bit sore, and I am developing a cough, but that's no big deal. I am still wheezing and short of breath, but I am breathing easier these days despite the pericarditis. I was on heavy-duty medication while hospitalized and it's difficult getting off of that and back on to my regular meds. But, I'm back to work (and thankfully did not miss any work during my hospital stay) and feeling okay. And, as far as I'm concerned, okay is pretty good. I am having some difficulty in maintaining my weight through all of this, but I am managing as best I can. More than anything, my struggles right now are emotional. It is a lot to go through a hospitalization and then come home to a world of unknowing, but I feel like I am in a good enough space to be level-headed. That doesn't mean that I am not afraid or unsure, but it does mean that I'm handling it as best as I can.
I'm not up to going into specifics where every blood test or scan is concerned. But, since you've all been offering such kindness, support, prayers, and vibes, I felt as though I owed you an update. Thank you all for all you do and for being here for me and for so many others
. It means more than you know...
