Sorry for the delay in letting you all know how Wednesday went. Read on, you'll know why.
Firstly, I received my results from my chest CT and it was clean. Thank goodness.
I was very nervous before the Biopsy. I have never done anything even remotely like that before. I've never had any surgery or anything. It's strange because before things happen in my life (like performances usually) I am not nervous. I only get nervous after the fact. This kind of thing I guess is different.
My dad took me to the hospital for my biopsy. We weren't exactly sure where to go but they had said Radiology when they told me about my appointment, so we went down there. (It was a little struggle for me because I was tired and nauseated, so it took me a while to get anywhere) They directed us upstairs to the surgery/op check in. Then we went to the waiting room but it really was probably less than 5 minutes before they called me back.
I had to change into the fabulous paper gown that if positioned right would show my backside. I sat in the bed and my dad and I waited for a bit before people came and started asking all the questions. Not much happened except the nurse seemed all excited to learn that I was mormon. [In asian accent]"Oh, you a moe-mahn? Oh!" She kept saying it over and over.
I got to the hospital at like 1 and I didn't get rolled down to CT until 430. I had to lay on my stomach on the bed part of the CT scanner machine. My arms were above my head on the table. The blood pressure cuff went on one arm while the IV drip was in my other hand. They put heart rate monitor tabs on my back. They said they were going to just make me sleepy because I couldn't be put completely out because I'd have to do my breathing for the CT.
For the biopsy they'd have to do a CT to mark exactly where they'd go in with the needle. I went through the machine twice as I held my breath and next thing I knew They were telling me to move back onto to gourney. I had no idea they had already put the needle in me and everything. That made me very happy that I didn't know it happened. All in all it took about an hour.
They rolled me back upstairs to a different area to do my time in recovery. I had to stay there for 3 hours. Not much happened except that I slept and slept and slept. My dad took me to get food after I left because I was starving and took me home.
I was really really tired and slept all day thursday. Still exhausted. Today I had a family thing and then I ended up having a major headache and nausea. It was horrible. So, that's why I've only just now got to updating.
It takes at least 2 days for some results of the test and 3-5 for the other tests. So I won't know anything until next Friday when I have my doctors appointment.
That's really all that's going for me now. Don't get worried if I don't update. I know my bishop from Utah called my mom worried because I didn't update yet. I'm still here! :) If anything happens, I'll get someone else on here for you all.
Thanks for your support and concern.
-Mallory
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday's CT
I've never been sick before. I've had a pretty clean bill of health my entire life. I've never even broken a bone. Never had stitches. I had mono for a few weeks in high school.. I had my wisdom teeth out in college.. Really, that's it. I've not had anything besides the flu or a cold before. So I dont know much about the medical world. Please forgive my ignorance if I say anything stupid. ha ha
Yesterday my dad took me to get the CT of chest done. I had an appointment but apparently they don't really care about timelines. We waited for quite some time and then I was called back.
When I did my abdomen CT at the ER last week, I was in a hospital gown, and had to drink two large cups of Berium. They then IV'd me and ran some iodine through my system.
I figured the CT yesterday would be the same deal, just they would scan a different part of me. Well I walked in the lady told me to lay down on the table part of the machine. I asked if I need to take my cell phone out of my pocket or take my glasses off and she was like "whatever" ok.... guess those won't affect the machine. I then said, "No Berium today?" and she said "Well unless you have a digestive system in your chest.." Oh, right. K, didn't think about that.
So I laid down and she put X-Ray pads on my legs and pelvic area. Then I went through the machine, it told me to hold my breath and then when I could breathe again. When I came out, the lady came to stick a needle in me (hate needles!) and give me Iodine. She wasn't very gentle about the whole thing. It wasn't really working in my right arm, it actually started to hurt a bit so she moved over to my left arm to do it all. I could taste the saline solution quite well when she pumped it with that. Then the Iodine came and I really did have to pee but luckily the Iodine only just made it feel like I was going, a lot! I went through the machine again and she took the needle out and pads off to let me go. I didn't even feel her take the needle out, that was nice.
The whole thing was only like 10 minutes long. I did not feel well though after this. I was starting to have lots of pain and needed water pretty bad. It had nothing to do with the CT scan. So my dad and I went back to the truck so he could take me home. I could tell he was worried and didn't really want to drop me off and leave me alone at the house. I told him I'd be fine. I went in and just took one of my lovely percocet pills and felt much better not too long after that.
I don't know the results of the CT scan yet but I'm hoping the doctor will call Monday with results for me. Maybe I can ask him about more pills because those will probably be gone by Monday morning. :( I'll keep you updated as soon as I am told anything. Thanks everyone for all your support as I figure out what's going on with me.
-Mallory
Yesterday my dad took me to get the CT of chest done. I had an appointment but apparently they don't really care about timelines. We waited for quite some time and then I was called back.
When I did my abdomen CT at the ER last week, I was in a hospital gown, and had to drink two large cups of Berium. They then IV'd me and ran some iodine through my system.
I figured the CT yesterday would be the same deal, just they would scan a different part of me. Well I walked in the lady told me to lay down on the table part of the machine. I asked if I need to take my cell phone out of my pocket or take my glasses off and she was like "whatever" ok.... guess those won't affect the machine. I then said, "No Berium today?" and she said "Well unless you have a digestive system in your chest.." Oh, right. K, didn't think about that.
So I laid down and she put X-Ray pads on my legs and pelvic area. Then I went through the machine, it told me to hold my breath and then when I could breathe again. When I came out, the lady came to stick a needle in me (hate needles!) and give me Iodine. She wasn't very gentle about the whole thing. It wasn't really working in my right arm, it actually started to hurt a bit so she moved over to my left arm to do it all. I could taste the saline solution quite well when she pumped it with that. Then the Iodine came and I really did have to pee but luckily the Iodine only just made it feel like I was going, a lot! I went through the machine again and she took the needle out and pads off to let me go. I didn't even feel her take the needle out, that was nice.
The whole thing was only like 10 minutes long. I did not feel well though after this. I was starting to have lots of pain and needed water pretty bad. It had nothing to do with the CT scan. So my dad and I went back to the truck so he could take me home. I could tell he was worried and didn't really want to drop me off and leave me alone at the house. I told him I'd be fine. I went in and just took one of my lovely percocet pills and felt much better not too long after that.
I don't know the results of the CT scan yet but I'm hoping the doctor will call Monday with results for me. Maybe I can ask him about more pills because those will probably be gone by Monday morning. :( I'll keep you updated as soon as I am told anything. Thanks everyone for all your support as I figure out what's going on with me.
-Mallory
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Update
Just a quick update. My renal biopsy is next wednesday afternoon. Hopefully that will shed some light on all this.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Doctor's Visit #2
If you haven't read my last post, please read that one first before you continue on. I promise, it will save a lot of time.
So, I had my appointment with the Urologist today. I went in and had to do another urine sample. I guess I just have to remember to drink a lot of water and not pee before going to any doctors visits.
So after an awkward moment when the nurse called my dad my husband *shudder* I went in the room and just had a few questions taken care of. The usual type of things. Blood pressure etc. etc.
My dad and I waited for like 20 minutes before the doctor came in. I hate how doctors start to ask questions. His first one was worded thusly, "So what are you here for today?" I looked at him dumbfounded. Really? With all that was going on, I was not up for games, I wanted to get straight to the point. I stumbled and said, "Uh didn't you get stuff from the hospital?" He said yes but that's how he likes to start to understand everything.
Ugh, please don't start like that with me.
So, todays news was definitely a whole lot different from Friday. The ER doctor definitely isn't a specialist. Not only was the news different, it was worse.
He showed me the CT scan from the hospital and ... wow. Not only was there a large mass around my left kidney, but my lymphnode was swollen and also had a large mass. The lymphnode mass is like around my artery. The doctor said that when blood goes through tumors that like 5 times as much blood goes through. So, apparently my heart is pumping a whole lot faster to compensate for the blood that's going to the tumor.
Totally scary.
Because I have had lots of phlegm and coughing for so long, the doctor wants a CT of my chest to make sure that there are no tumors there too. I go to see a Radiologist next week for a biopsy. Not sure when yet, they have to call me to schedule a time.
Well, that's the latest... looking pretty grim to me. It's definitely not fun news but we'll just have to see what the next doctors appointments say. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I definitely don't want to be doing this alone and am glad I don't have to.
So, I had my appointment with the Urologist today. I went in and had to do another urine sample. I guess I just have to remember to drink a lot of water and not pee before going to any doctors visits.
So after an awkward moment when the nurse called my dad my husband *shudder* I went in the room and just had a few questions taken care of. The usual type of things. Blood pressure etc. etc.
My dad and I waited for like 20 minutes before the doctor came in. I hate how doctors start to ask questions. His first one was worded thusly, "So what are you here for today?" I looked at him dumbfounded. Really? With all that was going on, I was not up for games, I wanted to get straight to the point. I stumbled and said, "Uh didn't you get stuff from the hospital?" He said yes but that's how he likes to start to understand everything.
Ugh, please don't start like that with me.
So, todays news was definitely a whole lot different from Friday. The ER doctor definitely isn't a specialist. Not only was the news different, it was worse.
He showed me the CT scan from the hospital and ... wow. Not only was there a large mass around my left kidney, but my lymphnode was swollen and also had a large mass. The lymphnode mass is like around my artery. The doctor said that when blood goes through tumors that like 5 times as much blood goes through. So, apparently my heart is pumping a whole lot faster to compensate for the blood that's going to the tumor.
Totally scary.
Because I have had lots of phlegm and coughing for so long, the doctor wants a CT of my chest to make sure that there are no tumors there too. I go to see a Radiologist next week for a biopsy. Not sure when yet, they have to call me to schedule a time.
Well, that's the latest... looking pretty grim to me. It's definitely not fun news but we'll just have to see what the next doctors appointments say. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I definitely don't want to be doing this alone and am glad I don't have to.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The first few days...
My mother finally dragged me down to the ER on Friday. She was sick of me being sick. There is no way I can work when I am functioning this poorly. Well, after being called back, I had to do a urine sample. (I'm becoming a pro at those) and then I changed into the dreaded hospital gown and waited. It was probably around 8 or so when I went back. They came in and checked my blood pressure, put the oxygen thingy on my finger and then left us again. It wasn't too horribly crowded but the proces was slow. They then came and poked me to get blood samples. I hate needles. I really really do. but this wasn't too bad. That was perhaps the longest wait.
Then they came in and had me drink two tall glasses of Berium. They flavor it so that it's a Berry Smoothie. It actually wasn't too bad but still took some time to get it all down. I then had the pleasure of being wheeled away on my bed down to get a CT scan. The bed I was on is fancy, it has a motor thing so the nurses didn't have to push it. I've never had a CT scan before. They pumped me full of iodine (which definitely made me feel like I was peeing everywhere) and I had to hold my breath. I went through the thing like 4 times I think. I then got wheeled away back to where my mom was waiting. I think the berium gave me gas cause I was starting to feel very uncomfortable.
Her and I started to fall asleep. We were counting down the minutes til midnight because once the day changed over, it would be my mothers birthday! About a quarter after midnight, the doctor came over and told me the news.
They had found on my left kidney a tumor that was approx. 2 x 4 in. in length. He was pretty certain that it's cancerous and that I'd have to get my kidney removed.
He prescribed me with percocet to help with my pain and told me to call a Urologist first thing Monday morning. Well, I called first thing today and I have an appt. for Wednesday to find out more information. In the meantime, I'm sleeping A LOT and puking a lot.
I think everything is going to turn out fine so I haven't been too worried about it all. I made the mistake of looking up Renal Cell Carcinoma when I got home and that freaked me out for a few minutes. Every symptom is exactly what I have. But there is still plenty for me to do so I know it will all be ok. Please, continue reading, I'll be posting updates as I learn more about this sickness. Thanks!
Then they came in and had me drink two tall glasses of Berium. They flavor it so that it's a Berry Smoothie. It actually wasn't too bad but still took some time to get it all down. I then had the pleasure of being wheeled away on my bed down to get a CT scan. The bed I was on is fancy, it has a motor thing so the nurses didn't have to push it. I've never had a CT scan before. They pumped me full of iodine (which definitely made me feel like I was peeing everywhere) and I had to hold my breath. I went through the thing like 4 times I think. I then got wheeled away back to where my mom was waiting. I think the berium gave me gas cause I was starting to feel very uncomfortable.
Her and I started to fall asleep. We were counting down the minutes til midnight because once the day changed over, it would be my mothers birthday! About a quarter after midnight, the doctor came over and told me the news.
They had found on my left kidney a tumor that was approx. 2 x 4 in. in length. He was pretty certain that it's cancerous and that I'd have to get my kidney removed.
He prescribed me with percocet to help with my pain and told me to call a Urologist first thing Monday morning. Well, I called first thing today and I have an appt. for Wednesday to find out more information. In the meantime, I'm sleeping A LOT and puking a lot.
I think everything is going to turn out fine so I haven't been too worried about it all. I made the mistake of looking up Renal Cell Carcinoma when I got home and that freaked me out for a few minutes. Every symptom is exactly what I have. But there is still plenty for me to do so I know it will all be ok. Please, continue reading, I'll be posting updates as I learn more about this sickness. Thanks!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
First 4 Weeks of EFY
I thought that I would have time on the weekends to update my blog and let you know about how EFY is going. Turns out I am still always busy, and especially exhausted come the weekends. I'll tell you this though, I have had a ton of fun! Currently we have a week break before our last two sessions of EFY in Tacoma, WA. It is a much needed break. Through and through I feel just drained. I slept about 12 hours last night but still need to rest. Let me tell you about my "family" from the last 4 weeks.
This is a picture of the NorthWest (NW) team.
Our session director the second week is a photographer and took this (as well as many others) picture for us. Everyone in this photo I work with constantly everyday and we all will be working all 6 weeks. The Coordinators, Health Counselors and the other BC's, like me. Ryan and Tyler would be the ones jumping on the sides... pretty much we are all showing our personalities in this photo. Love them all! It has been great.
EFY is not only filled with a great team, but some amazing counselors! I took a few pictures yesterday with some of them.
One of the COOLEST parts of being at EFY is actually the youth.
Being sick for so long really put me in a funk. I was nervous to do EFY, and to be a BC even because I knew physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually what it takes. I definitely did not feel up to the task. I guess I might never feel up to it, but I feel a whole lot more confident now. My health has been good I guess for the most part. During week 3 though it really took a nose dive and I was ordered to bed (during pizza night too!). Luckily I was able to recover by mid morning Friday. In fact, that was over a week ago and I have been feeling FABULOUS!!!! Yeah, I know earlier I said I was exhausted, but as far as my random sickness I've had for 6 months goes, I've been great! I've had so much energy and really got to show everyone how crazy I am. Friday afternoon, after our service activity, I was genuinly thoroughly happy! Like every little thing in life was fantastic and I felt good and amazing. I'm still mostly that way and I love it. I guess I just had an experience Friday that tipped the scales :) No, you don't get to know. It's for my reflection only. haha
One session director admonished us at our Sunday Fireside before the week started to be Servants, not Celebrities. That phrase has sort of been our anthem this summer. I think it has helped so much and I can definitely testify how much of a difference it has made. Even in my life and in the growth of my testimony I have felt a change. I love how I can have my personality and be crazy but serve others through that. It is comforting to know the spirit is with me so strongly and is able to help me understand principles of the Gospel I have previously not understood or known about. I have learned so much from the scriptures and from all of these wonderful people I have been around.
I don't know what lies around the corner for me in my life, but I feel more prepared and excited for it than ever before. Two more weeks of EFY. Bring it on!
This is a picture of the NorthWest (NW) team.
Our session director the second week is a photographer and took this (as well as many others) picture for us. Everyone in this photo I work with constantly everyday and we all will be working all 6 weeks. The Coordinators, Health Counselors and the other BC's, like me. Ryan and Tyler would be the ones jumping on the sides... pretty much we are all showing our personalities in this photo. Love them all! It has been great.
EFY is not only filled with a great team, but some amazing counselors! I took a few pictures yesterday with some of them.
One of the COOLEST parts of being at EFY is actually the youth.
Being sick for so long really put me in a funk. I was nervous to do EFY, and to be a BC even because I knew physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually what it takes. I definitely did not feel up to the task. I guess I might never feel up to it, but I feel a whole lot more confident now. My health has been good I guess for the most part. During week 3 though it really took a nose dive and I was ordered to bed (during pizza night too!). Luckily I was able to recover by mid morning Friday. In fact, that was over a week ago and I have been feeling FABULOUS!!!! Yeah, I know earlier I said I was exhausted, but as far as my random sickness I've had for 6 months goes, I've been great! I've had so much energy and really got to show everyone how crazy I am. Friday afternoon, after our service activity, I was genuinly thoroughly happy! Like every little thing in life was fantastic and I felt good and amazing. I'm still mostly that way and I love it. I guess I just had an experience Friday that tipped the scales :) No, you don't get to know. It's for my reflection only. haha
One session director admonished us at our Sunday Fireside before the week started to be Servants, not Celebrities. That phrase has sort of been our anthem this summer. I think it has helped so much and I can definitely testify how much of a difference it has made. Even in my life and in the growth of my testimony I have felt a change. I love how I can have my personality and be crazy but serve others through that. It is comforting to know the spirit is with me so strongly and is able to help me understand principles of the Gospel I have previously not understood or known about. I have learned so much from the scriptures and from all of these wonderful people I have been around.
I don't know what lies around the corner for me in my life, but I feel more prepared and excited for it than ever before. Two more weeks of EFY. Bring it on!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
What's Up? Update
Ok so everyone is asking me "Mallory, are you coming back to Utah? When are you going to be in WA? What's going on? What is your job?" yada yada yada. So, I thought I'd answer some questions.
I drove to Washington yesterday and am staying with the fam for the week. I'll be doing EFY for the summer. I'm not a counselor, but a BC, which is basically the counselor for the counselors. I'm pretty excited. Starting next Saturday in Forest Grove Oregon is the first session of EFY. I'll have two sessions there and 4 in Tacoma Washington during the summer. The last day of EFY for the summer is August 7th. So I won't be in Utah until after that time. As of now, I'm planning on going back to Utah the week after that in August. I don't have a job or a place to live lined up, so I'm not really in a rush to get back. Life is very open right now and I'm hoping that with not having to pay rent for a few months, I can save up some moolah. Some of that might be going toward a trip to Texas in July though... My cousin lives out there and I haven't seen her in forever. I have one week for a break from EFY so that's what I plan to do. It should be fun. I've never been to Texas before. Anyhow, that's what's going on with me! Cleared up some questions? Sure hope so.
-Malfoy
ps. when I saw my dad today (he was gone last night when I got home) the first thing he said to me was "Ah I've missed that smile." :'( Gee make me cry daddy.
I drove to Washington yesterday and am staying with the fam for the week. I'll be doing EFY for the summer. I'm not a counselor, but a BC, which is basically the counselor for the counselors. I'm pretty excited. Starting next Saturday in Forest Grove Oregon is the first session of EFY. I'll have two sessions there and 4 in Tacoma Washington during the summer. The last day of EFY for the summer is August 7th. So I won't be in Utah until after that time. As of now, I'm planning on going back to Utah the week after that in August. I don't have a job or a place to live lined up, so I'm not really in a rush to get back. Life is very open right now and I'm hoping that with not having to pay rent for a few months, I can save up some moolah. Some of that might be going toward a trip to Texas in July though... My cousin lives out there and I haven't seen her in forever. I have one week for a break from EFY so that's what I plan to do. It should be fun. I've never been to Texas before. Anyhow, that's what's going on with me! Cleared up some questions? Sure hope so.
-Malfoy
ps. when I saw my dad today (he was gone last night when I got home) the first thing he said to me was "Ah I've missed that smile." :'( Gee make me cry daddy.
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