~My Liver Biopsy Day~

Well my liver biopsy was far from fun! My morning began with a dear friend picking me up at 6:15 a.m. My husband would be at the hospital later as he was staying home in the morning (to leave around 7:30) to get our son ready for school.

It was dark. My friend and I laughed as we talked about how glad we were that we were both stay at home wives and didn't have to be out on the roads when it was dark. We saw several road kill creatures and laughed about how we were glad they were dead and not alive and meeting us on the road. My friend and I had a good conversation on the way to the hospital.

We arrived at the building where I was to register and I felt like an old out of touch lady as I was guided to a kyask (a "jukebox" looking computer thing). I had no clue as to how to  use the thing so I needed the assistance of the lady behind the desk (anyhow). "They" are all trying to be less personable but finding out that people are still needed. Anyhow, I typed in my info and up popped my name and what I was there for. The lady then told me to take a little remote device (like the kind you get waiting for your table at a restaurant). My friend and I waited in a large waiting area. She said it seemed peaceful. I guess she had a more sunny outlook (grins). All I saw were spaced out seating arrangements.

We chatted. My little remote thing went off with all the red lights blinging on the sides. My "escort" had arrived. He took my friend and I back to the out-patient surgical area. I got all comfy on the bed after clothe-prepping. I could keep everything on but had to change into a hospital shirt thing that tied in the back. I could even keep my jewelry on.

So, there we were...gabbing and my male nurse arrived. Luckily I have a port for him to get my blood work from and he didn't have to fish for a vein to do the blood work. Ports are handy! He got me all prepped for the liver biopsy and told my friend she could stay there and that the procedure would take about 20 minutes. I would return to that curtained room  for about 3 hours while he made sure I was okay. My husband and friend would be waiting for my return.

My friend gave some encouraging words as my nurse wheeled my bed out through the curtain. We entered the room where the biopsy was to take place. It was just a little room in the hallway of rooms that had a variety of scans (x-ray, CT, MRI, ultra sounds...). He parked my bed and got me all hooked up with the blood pressure cuff and the finger thing that monitors your oxygen. I was connected to another tube through my port too...soon the "light" anesthesia would kick in. 

He made a phone call and suddenly this group of people emerged through the door. My surgeon introduced himself by shaking my hand then he asked me my name, date of birth, and what I was there for...had I been in a more humorous mood I should have made something fun up. The ultra sound technician also introduced herself and told me what she was there for. My nurse got on my left side. There were two people behind my surgeon. I had no idea what they were there for. Maybe they were there to rush the biopsies to the lab. There was also a lady at the end of my bed who told me she was there to learn and asked it that was okay. Sure!

The numbing shot punctured my skin near the liver. The surgeon tried to find the tumor first with the ultra sound rolling thing. I heard him say, "I can't find it!" So the technician took over. "There it is she said." The surgeon began his work.

I have been told that I just gab and don't know what I am saying when under even the "light" anesthesia. I know my surgeon said...several times..."I can't get it." So I KNOW I told him about how difficult it was for my neurosurgeon to get my brain tumor too. I told him it was really hard and he had a difficult time getting it out. I had to stop talking to wince!

As he fished for and nabbed the tumor...it felt like I was being punched in the gut! I tried to count how many times he went after that thing and lost track...I know at least 6 times. It was horrible pain. It wasn't a sharp pain it was like...as I said...being punched HARD in the gut as he applied extreme pressure each time he went for it. My head began thinking of stupid men who get in fist fights and how their guts must hurt.(I actually pictured a western). Maybe that was due in part to the anesthesia. What I know is that I squeezed...GRIPPED hard...two fingers of my nurse each time my liver was attacked.
I heard the surgeon say, "there is a capsule around it." I took a mental note of that to ask the doctor from U of M Thursday.(no doubt it will be on the report).

It was finally over and my nurse wheeled me back to the out-patient lay-over area. My husband and friend were in there. My nurse gave me some instructions for later and told me I'd be there for about 3 hours. 

My sweet friend excused herself and I thanked her for driving me and for being there for me. So now it was just my husband and me in that curtained room. I could hear mumblings from other curtained rooms. According to my husband, I ramble when I am coming off of anesthetics. I am sure I don't (grins). 

The three hours...seemed like three hours. Time did not fly. Finally it was my time to be released. Instructions were repeated. My nurse made sure I could balance when I got off of the bed. I got out of the hospital shirt thing, dressed, and was off.

I was to take it easy the rest of the day.My precious friend who drove me for my biopsy had also made us a delicious dinner. I was all set to kick back for the rest of the day!

Thank you to those of you who prayed for me on this day and to those of you who were encouraging! I will see a new doctor from U of M Thursday. She should have the reports but likely not the slides from the biopsies yet.

So, I begin again...my family and I begin again...sorting proper treatment...having a variety of appointments...

It's true...my mind is renewed daily when I ask Jesus to renew it. It's kind of, but not quite, like having a "la la la" mindset....Peace and Joy....that's what it is....

Peace and Joy!