We had an early start to the day. I went in for the endoscopic ultrasound. The nurses were very nice as usual, a little slow but nice. One of the doctors who helped perform the procedure was from Davis which was cool. They made the procedure very smooth and easy. When the sedative wore off, I then caught up with E.
She had great news. The ultrasound went great; the doctors found a tumor. It is in a region of the pancreas that is easy to reach so likely only a minimally invasive procedure will be needed to remove it. I am so excited. I would be dancing around and singing Tina Turner's (I'm so excited, I just can't hide it...) but I am still partly groggie from the sedative so I will stay seated for now.
I talk with the doctors again tomorrow. Meanwhile....I might hit the pillow and get back to sleep.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Day 4: Drama
Monday was filled with drama. After another blood test and a meeting with the doctor, I felt like we had found the tumor and was feeling better about the situation. But the afternoon flipped upside down. The surgeon was unconvinced by the low-resolution CT scan and wanted more tests to find the tumor. What was originally seen wasn't definitive. I was pretty bummed because if they didn't find the tumor then I likely had a problem with all of my islet cells in the pancreas. However, I was glad they weren't rushing to cut me open without being sure.
After these bad news, we went and had a nice dinner. Travis joined us and helped explain some of the medical techniques and upcoming tests which was very helpful. The food was delicious and I cooked my own meat on a 650degree rock plate in front of me. Good times. All in all the day was a rollercoaster but at least it ended well.
After these bad news, we went and had a nice dinner. Travis joined us and helped explain some of the medical techniques and upcoming tests which was very helpful. The food was delicious and I cooked my own meat on a 650degree rock plate in front of me. Good times. All in all the day was a rollercoaster but at least it ended well.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Day 2 and 3: Chilling out
The weekend was pretty relaxed with only a few surprises.
Saturday we had a very delicious and cheap brunch. Afterwards, I kind of took a wrong turn and ended up in a locked stairwell. Whoops! I managed to call the hotel and they kindly sent someone to find me. So I got out of that situation no problem, with of course, E laughing at me. After getting some work out of the way, that night we checked out the best burger spot in Rochester. It was delicious and thirst quenching. However, note, they seem to overuse Butter and Salt in these parts.
Sunday we pretty much walked all of North Rochester. The weather is getting a little better (30 degrees) so it was manageable. We also stumbled about a Indian buffet place that was pretty good. Now, we will get some good sleep before probably a long day tomorrow.
Saturday we had a very delicious and cheap brunch. Afterwards, I kind of took a wrong turn and ended up in a locked stairwell. Whoops! I managed to call the hotel and they kindly sent someone to find me. So I got out of that situation no problem, with of course, E laughing at me. After getting some work out of the way, that night we checked out the best burger spot in Rochester. It was delicious and thirst quenching. However, note, they seem to overuse Butter and Salt in these parts.
Sunday we pretty much walked all of North Rochester. The weather is getting a little better (30 degrees) so it was manageable. We also stumbled about a Indian buffet place that was pretty good. Now, we will get some good sleep before probably a long day tomorrow.
Friday, February 6, 2009
What a day
So it has only been Day 1, right. Well I guess Mayo knows how to move and shake.
This afternoon is all about progress. I had two doctors visits, some testing, and repeated a fasting study to hit a really low glucose reading. They already started getting blood work back in after an hour or two. Called me by the time I made it back to my hotel room with great news.
The blood tests do indicate I have an insulin problem. They are still waiting for results from a few time points but it looks like insulin. Which it's good to pinpoint a cause. I thought that would be it but they had a lot more to tell me. After reviewing my scans from back in Nov at school, they did see a mass on my pancreas (FINALLY)!! It is small but based on their trained eye they think this could be the culprit. I am overjoyed to find that rascal.
They will likely call back over the weekend or give me the rest of test results on Monday. But I am already scheduled to meet with a few doctors and a CAT scanner on Monday to talk about this mass and what to do next.
Isn't that amazing. Only 24 hours later and progress!
This afternoon is all about progress. I had two doctors visits, some testing, and repeated a fasting study to hit a really low glucose reading. They already started getting blood work back in after an hour or two. Called me by the time I made it back to my hotel room with great news.
The blood tests do indicate I have an insulin problem. They are still waiting for results from a few time points but it looks like insulin. Which it's good to pinpoint a cause. I thought that would be it but they had a lot more to tell me. After reviewing my scans from back in Nov at school, they did see a mass on my pancreas (FINALLY)!! It is small but based on their trained eye they think this could be the culprit. I am overjoyed to find that rascal.
They will likely call back over the weekend or give me the rest of test results on Monday. But I am already scheduled to meet with a few doctors and a CAT scanner on Monday to talk about this mass and what to do next.
Isn't that amazing. Only 24 hours later and progress!
Day 1: meet the doctors
We had an early start- first appointment was at 7:15a! Travis picked us up from the hotel and brought us to the Mayo Building- he's awesome! The doctor was VERY thorough. He asked all sorts of questions and took notes on everything I said. He even started a excel spreadsheet with all my glucose readings from my medical records! I was impressed.
He did suggest something that I found very humorous. He asked whether someone could be poisoning me.... everyone is a suspect!
The tests have started, along with tons of needle sticks. The nurses are great and have very cute MN accents, doncha know! I am starting off by re-doing the fasting test to confirm the numbers... I haven't eaten in 13 hours and I am craving everything. Anyone got a kit kat? Mmmmm... looking forward to some take-out. :)
He did suggest something that I found very humorous. He asked whether someone could be poisoning me.... everyone is a suspect!
The tests have started, along with tons of needle sticks. The nurses are great and have very cute MN accents, doncha know! I am starting off by re-doing the fasting test to confirm the numbers... I haven't eaten in 13 hours and I am craving everything. Anyone got a kit kat? Mmmmm... looking forward to some take-out. :)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Arrival
We just arrived in Rochester, MN this afternoon. Our trip from San Francisco went smoothly- no lost luggage or anything! Travis picked up from the airport and drove us to the hotel, which is right in the heart of Rochester. We are close to everything and because the buildings are all connected by skyway or subway, we don't even have to venture out-of-doors all that much!
The weather isn't too bad... just a bit of snow/ice on the ground, but it isn't extremely cold. Yeah, if you ever visit, watch out for the black ice. It almost got me.
Tomorrow is the big day. I have an appointment with the insulinoma specialist in the morning and I may have further testing later in the afternoon.
Thanks everyone for your support.
The weather isn't too bad... just a bit of snow/ice on the ground, but it isn't extremely cold. Yeah, if you ever visit, watch out for the black ice. It almost got me.
Tomorrow is the big day. I have an appointment with the insulinoma specialist in the morning and I may have further testing later in the afternoon.
Thanks everyone for your support.
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