[SeptemberMorn]

Tomorrow morning I get my last test results for my kidneys. Keep prayers and positive vibes going for me, ok?

[bebop]

you got it hon! good vibes coming your way!

[SeptemberMorn]

Nothing new on the results. Guess what it turned out to be was a confirmation of the original blood work that caught the problem. Low end normal number for kidney function is 88.1% Mine is at 41. Not much to do at this time but to keep taking the water pill I've been on for some time anyway. They don't look to start dialysis until it hits 3%, I think it was.

She just wants me to watch my sugar intake and protein intake. The three oz of meat a day that the diabetic diet calls for is good enough. Or is that a meal? I'll have to look it up to make sure.

I've now got an appt with the endocrinologist for the 15th of this month. My dr said he'll want to see me first and then set up the time for the biopsy. I'm not looking forward to that. Anyone had a thyroid biopsy?? What is the proceedure?

Ah, well... Guess the news could have been worse.

[wickedwings]

never had a biopsy of anything, although i came pretty close to getting a brain biopsy! i doubt having a thyroid biopsy will be that bad as they will anesthesize the area before they start (you might want to ask before the procedure). sending you good thoughts and hugs.

[SeptemberMorn]

Ooooooooohhh!! A brain biopsy!!! You're kidding!! Right!?

But... but... to anesthetize the area... that means another needle... IN MY THROAT!

LOL Nah... I'm not really that scared. I'll manage just fine. It's just the thought of it... (shivers!)

[Danialla]

I have had a thyroid biopsy, and it really isn't that bad.

They numb the area and then take a very long, but very thin needle and stick it in...well yes, your neck (thyroid to be exact). You feel a bit of pressure but not really pain.

Good luck and take care!

[January]

I've had one, Tomi. They put you on a table that's slightly tilted and put a rolled up towel under the back of your neck so they can get to the area easily. They use an ultrasound to make sure they get the exact spot they need.

They use lydocaine to numb it. You'll feel pressure, but it's over soon.

[Danialla]

Wow, I never got the table treatment, but the nodule was pretty big so they knew just where to go.

What was your outcome January?

[wickedwings]

well, no. my neurologist talked about me getting a brain biopsy a year ago before i was finally diagnosed. sorry, it sure is very freaky. but, i'm sure you're going to be ok. anyway, even though they do brain biopsy pretty well, i'm just glad my brain doesn't have to be touched.

[lenjan]

I've had two bone marrow biopsies -- they have to dig around in your hipbone -- it's so bad they knock you out, none of that sissy local anesthesia!

I had oral lidocaine for weeks because of tongue and throat ulcers so bad I couldn't even talk -- mmmmmmmm, lidocaine . Works really well, and quickly. I'm sure the topical form is the same way!

[Danialla]

Yes Candybear, the topical (no needles Sept: ) numbing medication they apply to the throat really works well. Really Sept, only pressure no real "pain".

Take care and keep us posted.

[SeptemberMorn]

(Using Quick Reply here )

Okay... you guys have helped me feel better about the biopsy... as long as they don't push down on my adam's apple! LOL Guess they wouldn't have to do that if the needle is sharp, eh? I'll SUE if it's not!

What were the results of these biopsies? I hope they were all negative. Did any of you wind up having to have surgery?

[Danialla]

My biopsy came back inconclusive for cancer but the dr wanted to take it out anyway . I really had to think about it because dealing with a mood disorder and thyroid meds worried me. After a 2nd Dr. said the same thing I decided to have it done. Lucky I did because it did turn out to be cancerous.

The surgery went very well......not bad at all, and I have had numerous surgeries for comparison .

Thyroid cancer itself is one of the best cancers to have (if that makes sense). Very easily treated.

I hope things work out for you. Please keep us posted.

Take care everyone

[SeptemberMorn]

Thanks, Daniala, for answering my questions. I'm not too concerned about my thyroid, but still the "C" word is worrisome. I know I can live without my thyroid quite well. It's just going under and having my neck cut on that doesn't thrill me much, ya know? LOL

I've been on Synthroid for about 30 yrs so, to me, it's not like adding yet another pill to my "diet." Who knows. I might be better off without it.

Thanks again for all the info you've provided in such a positive way.

[January]

Tomi, my lydocaine was injected into my neck. It just stings a tiny bit. I didn't have to have surgery. I just get to feel like I'm choking all the time.

[(JD)]

What did they find out Tomi?

[Danialla]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
January said:
Tomi, my lydocaine was injected into my neck. It just stings a tiny bit. I didn't have to have surgery. I just get to feel like I'm choking all the time.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

That is awful!!!! I have that due to a brain malformation and I HATE IT! The enlarged thyroid just complicated that matter......although it didn't help it out much once removed .

You have my sympathy January!!

[SeptemberMorn]

That's a bummer, Jan! Why wouldn't they take it out?

I get that choking sensation sometimes, too. I think it's grown since the ultra sound.

[SeptemberMorn]

You didn't read back far enough, Sky. Nothing yet.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:

I've now got an appt with the endocrinologist for the 15th of this month. My dr said he'll want to see me first and then set up the time for the biopsy. I'm not looking forward to that.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

[ECHOES]

Tomi, good luck on the 15th. And take all your questions with you so you can get them answered and have some peace of mind about what to expect.

It sounds like you have very competent and caring doctors looking out for you!

[SeptemberMorn]

Thanks, Echoes! Yes, I fully plan to write my questions down and then read them off one by one to the dr. My primary doc is very nice, thorough and caring. I'm quite pleased with her.

It's the pits getting old, ya know? Everything starts to give out on you. LOL

[January]

Thank you Daniella and Tomi. They said if it's not cancerous, they just won't take it out. I constantly feel like someone's hands are around my throat with the fingers in the front choking me. I have to tilt my head back and swallow my meds that way. I can't get them to go down any other way because of the thyroid and I always feel like I'm going to drown when I'm drinking the water. I also have to sleep with my head tilted back to relieve part of the pressure so I can go to sleep.

[SeptemberMorn]

I saw the endocrinologist today for the first time. It was quite a shocker in several ways. First off, the nurse told me to take off all my clothes and put on a gown. Ha! No way was that happening! I didn't feel like I even needed to take off my shirt!! Guess I really felt vulnerable because I came so close to telling the nurse to bring my husband back to the examining room... but I didn't.

Another shocker... the dr didn't keep me waiting at all!

Third shocker... after he asked me all kinds of questions about history, heredity, past surgeries, so on and so forth, he did the physical exam, limited as it was due to the fact that I wouldn't take off all my clothers.

Fourth shocker... he started at my head, checked every nook and cranny and finished off with my fungus eaten toenail! After that, he made himself comfortable and studied the thick folder of my medical records.

Fifth shocker... my pituitary gland is slightly enlarged because it has extra water in it. HIS first indicator as to why I'm so heavy.

Sixth shocker... my thyroid is working fine in spite of the nodule.

No shocker... the nurse is scheduling the biopsy. No shocker... I'll probably have to stay after them.

Seventh shocker... He's going to push for a gastric by-pass as much as he's going to push for me to stop smoking. At that time, they will repair my bladder and the hernia... but he said it's dangerous to take out the cellulitis, do a liposuction and belly tuck???

By this time, I was gathering my jaw off the floor so I didn't ask him why it was dangerous...

After I got dressed and opened the door, I could hear my own dr talking. I also heard the endocrinologist. My dr responded laughingly and said "Who's the primary care doctor here?" I feel bad for her, but someone FINALLY addressed some pretty important issues!

I also have an appt with a diabetes "educationist" for my diabetes.

Can we say "overwhelmed"??

[wickedwings]

Huuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh???? you're right, that's a shocker. or a bunch of shockers. lol. why is he sending you to a diabetes educationer if you already know how to deal with it??? i don't get it. sorry, if you're feeling overwhelmed. i know i would be. hang on, septie!

[SeptemberMorn]

LOL My head is still reeling. Thing is, I really don't know much about diabetes, just that I have to watch what I eat, like sugar and carbs that turn to sugar.

Everybody tells me "take care of your feet". I do! I go barefoot all the time and I wash them when I take a shower and most times when I come in from working in the yard. LOL

Wish he could give me a pill to take care of the pituitary so I don't have to have a gastric by-pass! I guess there isn't a pill for that, though.

OWWWIIIIEEEEEE!!!!! Just went to let the cat in and the front door didn't open as much as I had intended for it to and I rammed into it with my electric chair and caught my right leg between the door and the chair!!!!