Something is amiss
Not sure what is going on with my health lately, but something is definitely wrong. I haven’t been able to figure it out, so I thought I better write it down before I forget in case it’s important later. On Sunday, May 7th, I had a sudden increase in abdominal swelling … probably 3-4 inches left, right, and out - all along my lower gut, and some up the middle as well. It really freaked me out needless to say. I had just started a new course of medication 4 days prior, and had over-exerted myself that day reorganising the shacks outside. At the time, I presumed that the swelling was a result of one of those 2 things. I noticed that my face was also looking swollen. Getting worried. I tried in vain for a week to get a hold of my liver specialist - an impossible task given that there is no answering service at his office or clinic. Eventually I manage to get the secretary on the phone and she informs me that he is on vacation and won’t be back for at least another week. I enquire to see if there is someone else there who i could consult for some medical advice, the secretary refers me to a nurse there, who later consults another doctor (the one who originally diagnosed me in the hospital). They tell me that the swelling is definitely not normal and is not a result of the increased medication, and that I should go to emergency to get checked out. 10 days have now passed since the problem first appeared, with no signs of it subsiding. So, the next day I’m off to the hospital.
Having gone through emergency before, I was smart enough to get in early and was served fairly quickly. The ER doc listened to my symptoms and poked around a bit, agreed that I should get some blood work done and also recommended that I get an ultrasound done just to be safe. Uggg, I hate ultrasounds! Sticky, slimy mess … laying on the table for a long time while they ram the wand thing into my gut over and over trying to see something. Not only humiliating, but also makes me sore for days. But needed to do something. The blood taking was a disaster as well. The ER nurse insisted on putting a shunt into my hand in case they needed more blood later or needed to hook up an IV. Unfortunately she was not at all adept at doing this - stuck me with that huge, long needle and tried to poke a vein. Probably spent 3-4 minutes sliding that needle around inside my hand before trying somewhere else. It stung like a SOB and my hand not only swelled up afterwards, but is still black and sore 4 days later. Anyway, finally tried another place and took some blood off to get analysed. (the second shunt fell out during the ultrasound BTW. lol figures!). Results? Ultrasound checks out, almost the same as the last one. No pockets of fluid building up anywhere, liver and portals same size. The blood work … well, not surprisingly, they screwed it up. The sample was hemolysed (blood cells ruptured) - no doubt due to the mess the nurse made of my hand on the first attempt. But the results were still low enough to determine that my liver function wasn’t in immediate jeopardy. So what the heck is going on? They have no idea. 
They recommended that I start measuring daily to see if the swelling increases or decreases … and tell me to take it easy. Easier said than done.
So no idea what is wrong, but convinced something is up. Besides the swelling and the increased tiredness/exhaustion lately … I’ve also been nodding off occasionally while watching TV. I haven’t done that since before I was diagnosed last november. Some research on the web and it’s obvious that this nodding off could be liver related … of course it could also be a symptom of blood sugar problems or a dozen or so other problems. All I know is that it’s scary and I don’t like it. Other than that, my eyes have been hurting and bloodshot when I wake up in the middle of the night and in the morning. Seem to be fine during the day .. just a little sore if I’m watching tv too long with my glasses on. *sigh* Just have to keep a watch on things and wait for my next doctors appointment … 1 month or so.
Other than that, the downward spiral of my life continues. My car broke on the return trip from the ER. Left front brake pad broke and grinded away at the disc — it’s pretty much seized up now and no money to get it fixed … and none expected for some time. Sister’s finances are hard hit this month also, with 2 large bills for Nicks dental work, and bills that haven’t been kept up with for the past couple months. Still waiting on some documents so I can file for bankruptcy … get about a dozen calls from credit card companies daily. Anxious for that to be over with. No money for groceries and certainly nothing for anything extra. I’m in the hole at the bank, using overdraft for bills that cannot wait. I had thought about picking up a small tent and stove and heading off somewhere for a weekend or week and do some camping. But even that is a luxury I cannot afford at present. Searching for something to break the monotony of the daily grind. I’m really behind in replying to emails as well, have at least 4 from good friends that I want to get back to ASAP. Waiting for a good day so that I don’t come off as too depressing. lol. Some of them have been waiting a month or 3 .. so I guess I should stop waiting for that improbability and just get it done! lol
