It's A Wonderful Day

As I sit here with a lovely cup of coffee and it is near mid-day my heart is overflowing with ecstatic gratitude . Yesterday, I spent most of the day at the hospital in the Radiology Department undergoing what is called Small Intestinal X-ray with Follow Through.  Which simply means that following the dreaded barium swallow/prep , several periodic X-ray images are taken as the barium contrast medium passes through the digestive system .

This exam is following the Abdominal CT scan that may have demonstrated a "thickening of the small intestinal wall" which could indicate an abnormality (lymphoma--that C word again) .

WONDERFUL DAY  -  -  -  NO ABNORMALITY !!!

The day was very difficult for me .  I was alone (nothing new there) and the ingesting of the thick chalky barium became near impossible as I was about three-fourth of the way .  I have never been a quitter and I gave it my all .  When the attendant said I was starting to look nauseous we decided it was best to keep it down than to bring it all up !  It was truly AWFUL .  I was very lightheaded and a little confused throughout the testing and needed help getting to all the different rooms during the testing .

More importantly I did not have any catastrophic or embarrassing rectal incontinence issues . However , as I was leaving the hospital , IT HIT and I made it to a restroom with the help of a nurse who had a key to a private but close by restroom !  I made it in just the nick of time and it was manageable . Oh My, It could have been so much worse!  I guess that was my "silver lining" for the day !!!

By the time I drove home, I felt like I did not have another ounce of energy and I was so thankful that I was able to get the test completed .

Next Monday is my next doctor's appointment .  The Radiologist came down to see me at the hospital (he was so nice) at the end of the X-rays to give me the results and wanted to make sure that I will follow through with a Specialist regarding my spleen . He is the person that had read the CT scan .  All in all the hospital care was excellent . Another BIG blessing .

Thanks for following my journey with me.

Mary

P.S.  My Sweet Ivy has been Super Attentive since I got home .  Even lying down very close to me as if she is "keeping an eye on me".  This has not been her typical behavior!  It Is Nice .