Update

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