Update

mp327
mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi everyone and good Monday morning.  I wanted to post an update on my recent scan, ultrasound and appointment with the gastroenterologist.

Unfortunately, my last round of kidney function blood work did not show improved numbers, so my internist ordered a kidney ultrasound for me, which I had on September 29th.  She has also referred me to a nephrologist, who I will see on October 22nd.  The good news is that I received a message from my internist's office and the US showed no abnormal findings, so I was relieved to hear that.  The scan ordered by the gastroenterologist to look at my intestinal tract also viewed the kidneys and the only finding there was a small cyst on one, which has been there on past scans and thought to be benign.  I will be anxious to see what the nephrologist has to say about all of this.  In my attempt to stay well-hydrated, I am feeling like a water balloon these days.  I am hoping my efforts will pay off and my creatinine and related kidney function tests will improve.  I don't know at this point if the kidney specialist will have me undergo any further testing or not.

I had the CT enterography scan on September 25th. I had to drink 3, yes 3, bottles of contrast in a 90-minute period before the scan--not fun!  I then saw the gastro doc on the 29th. to discuss the findings, which were insignificant.  He really has no explanation for the occasional blockages I have experienced, stating there could be several different causes.  He disagrees with my rad onc that my small bowel got some radiation when I had my treatment back in 2008 and that radiation damage is contributing to these episodes.  However, I consulted my rad onc back in 2013 after my hospitalization for a blockage and he definitely thought it was related.  I tend to agree with my rad onc.  Other than the gastro's differing opinion about that, we agree on everything else.  He was helpful in answering some of my questions regarding diet and advised me to not eat any peels from fruits or veggies (which I don't), steak, or raw produce.  Of course, he cannot guarantee that I will not have further episodes, but with careful attention to my diet, I may improve my chances of avoiding them.  He advised me to go to the ER should I have an episode in the future and told me that if I should have up to 4 episodes in a year's time, surgery should be considered.  However, we are going to do our best to avoid that!  He is not having me come back for any follow-up appts., but should I have problems or have to go to the ER, he will be the doctor I will consult.

Interestingly, he told me that surgeons do not like to do surgery for intestinal obstructions, due to the fact that it is a long and involved surgery and patients are at high risk for post-surgical complications.  So, I am determined NOT to go there!  I have taken to cooking my veggies until they are practically mush, then whizzing them in my NutriBullet to break them down even further.  I even thought about buying some baby food veggies, but I was at the grocery store yesterday and after looking at that stuff, I just couldn't do it.  lol!  The gastro doc told me that cooking veggies until they are mushy or pulverizing them will definitely help them move through my intestinal tract without problems.  He also mentioned buying some of the "Naked" drinks to get more nutrition, which I may try.  However, I prefer not to drink my fruits and veggies, so I'll have to see how that goes. 

I will post another update after I see the nephrologist on the 22nd. 

Martha

 

 

Comments

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #2
    thank you

    martha,  thankyou for the info.... hope your creatinine and etc goes to normal..... sephie

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    sephie said:

    thank you

    martha,  thankyou for the info.... hope your creatinine and etc goes to normal..... sephie

    sephie

    Thank you.  Me too!

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #4
    mp327 said:

    sephie

    Thank you.  Me too!

    Martha

    Hope all goes well on the 22nd & that your kidneys start behaving. 

    Liz

  • EvelynB
    EvelynB Member Posts: 72
    #5
    Martha

    It sounds like you are doing well so, hopefully, the kidney issues will clear up. I commend you for the way you are getting your veggies! Good luck on your visit to nephrologist.  

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    #6
    Glad to hear good

    Glad to hear good results...wishing you the best!

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #7
    Hi Martha

    After practically a gazillion years I logged on tonight and saw your post. I am so sorry to hear you are having kidney and blockage issues. What a bummer. This was also happening before I stopped logging on six months or so ago, except I don't remember the kidney problems.

    I know I sound like a broken record, but I have learned to absolutely love drinking Green Vibrance with 25 billion probiotics. It contains organic freeze dried everything in the world greens. Then I choose foods carefully for minimum side effects and don't worry if I am getting enough fruits and vegetables. I know I am and they were freeze dried raw so that is even better. Cooking often robs the veggies of nutrients.

    I also ad psyllium husks several times a week and then don't have to worry about fiber either.

    But sometimes you can do everything well and still not get the results you want. All we can do is the best we can do. You are the smartest girl on the board, I think. You always know how to help all of us, so you will figure this out. I think it is a good idea to do all you can do to avoid surgery.

    Take care, my dear.

    Fondly,

    Sandy

     

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #8
    Martha

    Thanks for the update....you certainly have had a rough time with the blockages.  I commend your for you patience in trying to figure it all out.  It'd be hard having to prepare vegi's like you describe.  Hope your kidney "stuff" gets straightened out soon too. 

    Thoughts & Prayers,

    Tracey

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    TraceyUSA said:

    Martha

    Thanks for the update....you certainly have had a rough time with the blockages.  I commend your for you patience in trying to figure it all out.  It'd be hard having to prepare vegi's like you describe.  Hope your kidney "stuff" gets straightened out soon too. 

    Thoughts & Prayers,

    Tracey

    Thank you!

    Thank you, each and every one, for your words of encouragement and support!  It means the world to me to have you all in my corner cheering me on.

    Sandy, I was really glad to see you back on the board.  This place hasn't been the same without you!  You have been on my mind so many times and I was hoping that all was going well for you.  I'm so, so happy you are doing okay and I hope you enjoyed your road trip.  I will take your suggestions into serious consideration.  I am willing to try anything to avoid surgery, as I think that will just add to my problems with the intestinal issues.

    As for my kidney issues, I am still hopeful that this all relates to hydration, or lack thereof.  I have never been a big water drinker and perhaps this is my body's way of giving me a wake-up call.  I really do need to do better in this regard.  I am also going to bring up the issue of scan contrast with the nephrologist and get his take on how this might have damaged my kidneys.  If he feels that it's a contributing factor, then I will have to have a talk with my oncologist's office about the scan he has ordered for me in February.  I will see the kidney doctor on October 22nd.

    I keep putting off filling out all of the paperwork for that appt.  As my medical history continues to have all of these add-ons, it gets quite depressing!

    Thanks again to all of you and welcome back, Sandy!

    Martha

  • 0626june
    0626june Member Posts: 73
    #10
    mp327 said:

    Thank you!

    Thank you, each and every one, for your words of encouragement and support!  It means the world to me to have you all in my corner cheering me on.

    Sandy, I was really glad to see you back on the board.  This place hasn't been the same without you!  You have been on my mind so many times and I was hoping that all was going well for you.  I'm so, so happy you are doing okay and I hope you enjoyed your road trip.  I will take your suggestions into serious consideration.  I am willing to try anything to avoid surgery, as I think that will just add to my problems with the intestinal issues.

    As for my kidney issues, I am still hopeful that this all relates to hydration, or lack thereof.  I have never been a big water drinker and perhaps this is my body's way of giving me a wake-up call.  I really do need to do better in this regard.  I am also going to bring up the issue of scan contrast with the nephrologist and get his take on how this might have damaged my kidneys.  If he feels that it's a contributing factor, then I will have to have a talk with my oncologist's office about the scan he has ordered for me in February.  I will see the kidney doctor on October 22nd.

    I keep putting off filling out all of the paperwork for that appt.  As my medical history continues to have all of these add-ons, it gets quite depressing!

    Thanks again to all of you and welcome back, Sandy!

    Martha

    Martha

    So hoping all goes well for you.  You are the giver of hope on here and are such a tremendous help to us.  Sending hugs and good wishes your way.

    June

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