Pretty on the inside…
Posted on August 26, 2008
Filed Under The "C" word, health |
Last week, the hubby and I spent a morning at a fine local hospital. The experience included drinking some sort of liquid mixed with 7-Up, waiting around, drinking more of it, then ultimately having a futuristic-looking medical machine, (that looks a lot like a Stargate ) take fancy x-rays of my insides.
The drink I ingested, called “contrast”, sort of lights up the digestive system so doctors get a super clear view of your digestive track. Oh and to be even more thorough, I was given an IV with a different sort of contrast. I wasn’t expecting a needle so when I found out about this little extra, my fight or flight response took over.
As usual when I encounter a needle, my entire being wants to jump up and run into a woods, even if my ass is hanging out of a hospital gown. But the logical part of my brain steadfastly commands my body, “STAY! STTTAAAAYYY!” much like the way I yell at my dog when she tries to lunge for a bag of spilled M&M’s .
The needle phobia is not helped when the dye is so thick you can feel your vein quiver as the gunk is injected. But just as the nurse predicted, my whole body soon grew warm and I got to experience the “pee in your pants” sensation, only without coldness and mess.
This past Friday I had a follow-up with a final specialist for “The Cancer that wasn’t Cancer“. He gave me the “offical” news. In a nutshell? I’m fine. Completely healthy, even. The doctor gave me permission to go back to my boozing, brawling, drug-filled lifestyle. (”Boozing” if you mean an occasional drink. “Brawling” if you mean fighting with a boy to do his homework. And “drug-filled” if you mean taking a daily dose of Zyrtek.)
Early cat scans weren’t very clear so when doctors saw a big white blob in and around the colon they assumed it was cancer. (But clearer tests done later that week showed a very, very inflammed and irritated colon. Actually a colon so inflammed parts of it weren’t getting enough blood flow. Yikes!) At one point, doctors still weren’t sure what was going on so they pumped me with antibiotics and waited. In that time at home and on antibiotics, the big white blob cleared up. The recent specialist is convinced it was a really just a nasty case of food poisoning.
Food poisoning. Sort of anti-climatic, yes? But I’m totally fine with that.
The support I received after this post was amazing. (Thankfully, the scarey ordeal is no longer “scarey” nor an “ordeal”.) But I wanted to thank everyone who took time to read the post and comment. So I’ll be thanking a group of people as a part of each post until I’ve thanked everyone.
So thanks to: Jennifer, Carrie, Suebob, Motherbumper, Melissa, Alissa, Nancy, Vdog, Assertagirl, Angie, Morning Light Mama, Maeve’s mom, Kel, Debbie, and Her Bad Mother.
Comments
40 Responses to “Pretty on the inside…”
Leave a Reply
Archives
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
- June 2005
- May 2005
- April 2005
- February 2005
- January 2005
Have you ever been so grateful for food poisoning?
I had a potential “C” scare this time last year. The fear inspired some powerfully positive changes in me and after an uneventful exploratory surgical procedure, the relief was the sweetest I have ever known. A new lease on life.
I’m so glad that you are fine. Now go booze it up.
Thank goodness! I was hoping for some kind of final resolution for you. Not knowing can be just as bad, sometimes.
Oh, and the nerd in me loves the “Stargate” reference.
Good grief. I’m so sorry you had to suffer for days for what turned out to be food poisoning. On the other hand, I’m sure it gives you a new and refreshed outlook on life.
I’ve been wondering how you’re doing! Glad for the update.
(My daughter called the CT scanner the “donut machine.”)
Well that is just the best news ever!!! YAY!
Wow, that’s one EXPENSIVE case of food poisoning! Expensive financially, but also so wearing emotionally and physically! I’m glad that’s all it was, but wow, what a scare!
I’m so glad you’re alright!
I love the boozing, brawling, etc!
I left something for you on my blog…
THANK GOD. Literally.
SO very glad that you are pretty on the inside. WHEW! Take care of yourself and happy boozing and brawling!
pretty on the inside is where it counts most
now pass the booze!
That is the BEST case of food poisoning I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing about!
Food poisoning sucks, but is sooo much better than cancer!
Glad everything is ok.
YEAH, baby!
I’m glad to know things are pretty on the inside.
Very good news…now get to your boozing!
Wow, that was definitely not what I expected! I wonder what you ate that caused it (something you ate that Marc & Seth didn’t, I guess?)? As they used to say in the Tootsie Roll Pop ads, “The world may never know…”.
Glad you are doing better!!!
I am so relieved for you. I can only imagine how cool it must be to tell people, it was JUST food poisoning.
That’s an interesting turn of events! Congratulations on your food poisoning!!!
Just as long as it isn’t cancer, right? This is probably the first case of food poisoning I’v ever heard of where I wanted to shout for joy. I am so happy that you’re perfectly healthy.
I am so glad you are all right. Yay for food poisoning! (which, incidentally, is a phrase you really never use…)
Also glad Seth had a good first day of school. It’s always scary.
What a relief for all of you.
And thanks for the shoutout at the end of the post. Really, prayers and comments are the very least I could do.
I had an IV once, when I had my colonoscopy..I don’t like that feeling either.. ugg…
Little man was such a trooper w/ his needles when he was in the hospital for the burst appendix..
Food poisoning..that is interesting.
You’re kidding, right? You had food poisoning and they told you it was cancer?
Brilliant, doctors. Just brilliant.
It did demonstrate one thing (and probably more, though I wouldn’t want to speak for you): how freaking awesome the internet is.
Which is why I’m so sad to be saying goodbye to it.
I’m just so relieved! I don’t want anything happening to you.
Thanks for the update Lisa! I’m so glad that you at least found out what it is. Getting a diagnosis of, “We don’t really know what it was”, is scary. BUT definitely NOT as scary as Cancer. Even though you aren’t much of a drinker, I think it definitely warrants a bottle of wine to celebrate. ((HUGS))
Don’t you just wanna start singing “I feel pretty”??? he heh…
Glad you are well, healthy even. I would totally slosh a few shots to celebrate!!!!
hugs.
Hello my love….
So glad you are ok…..
Phew….
Hey the needle thing… I have to take so many shots for this surrogate thing….nasty shots three times a day in the butt…
1. I’m so glad it was just food poisoning! YAY!
2. I’ve had tests with the contrast you described — WOW was that a strange feeling. I seriously thought I’d wet the table. It was disconcerting to say the least! Some medical tests are simply insane and you have to experience to really believe it. Know you are not alone
I’m so glad this is over for you…and hope you have your spirit back……but what a pain in the ass this probably all was, huh?! These circumstances in life, though, seem to always be for a reason - whether you believe in “for a reason” or not. Life is darn crazy. Glad you’re well!!
What a relief! So glad to hear you got such great news.
I am so glad it all worked out for you, I don’t know you but the thought of such a young mom having to go through the cancer scare just broke my heart.
I had forgot all about the contrast in the iv when they did my CT scan that found my Pelvic Mass, but yea they said it will give you the peeing sensation..that was really weird huh?
Anyway, just very happy for you.
Food poisoning? I’d take it ANYDAY over cancer. Of course, I recently did and while it was miserable, it was nothing in comparison!
I never thought of it as a Stargate! Great imagery!
I am SO glad you’re okay!!!!
[…] out Midwestern Mommy’s “cancer” was actually food poisoning. Thank goodness. What a scary […]
Oh, thank GOODNESS. I am sending virtual cocktails your way…
Well that is a crappy way to find out you have food poisoning! (no pun intended) I am glad that is all it is and hope all your testing is done for quite some time. Stay happy
Yay! Glad you’re okay! And really impressed that you know what Stargate is.
Really.
Just so relieved for you, Lisa. Pfew!
Oh my! I’m so far behind in reading. I’m glad that everything turned out ok. I can’t imagine your relief. SO glad you’re fine and well!!!