It has been just over a week since we went to see the Gastroenterologist Specialist, Professor Dr Martin Weltman, down at The Prince of Wales Hospital Medical Centre and he took less than a minute to tell me it is not Cirrhosis of the Liver, YET..

by meganne 05 Sep 2018

Thanks Lynne, we humans sure do go through the grinding mill here on earth and it saddens me that so many people suffer so terribly.
Still, I believe in silver linings and looking onward and up towards the beautiful blue sky, and hope.
Tomorrow is another new day to be thankful for, despite the pain, life is good and so worth embracing.
Huge hugs and roses, Meg

by meganne 05 Sep 2018

Thanks Gerry, I'm looking forward to better days ahead.
Hugs n roses, Meg

by meganne 05 Sep 2018

You are ever and always such a beautiful person and wonderful friend and your words always inspire me to be better than I am. For this I give you my humble thanks Miss Lillian xxxx
When you say it, I BELIEVE God has got this and it will give me strength to fight.

Our medical system has some very funny quirks and home nursing is limited to changing dressings, administering needles and giving comfort. Sadly they are not qualified nor permitted to draw bloods through the PICC line or even a Port Catheter.

I did receive some good news today, the Haematologist I approached to help me has agreed to authorise for my bloods being drawn at the hospital, I'm just waiting for an appointment. At least I know my GP will get all the results sent to him as they have worked together for other patients.
Wouldn't it be fun if we all could get together. :-)
Thank you so much my dear friend, huge hugs and much love always xxxxxxxxx

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thank you Maleah xxxx.
I’m sorry to hear your Mum suffered through that, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
Cirrhosis of the liver has many causes besides alcohol, so it is sad that alcoholism is the first thing we think of when Cirrhosis is mentioned.
I have learned so much in the last few weeks of researching, it has been a real eye opener.
Huge hugs and love xxxx

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks for your thoughts Nan. Public hospital outpatient services (here) are covered under Medicare and all reports go directly to the Doctor on the Authority Request, so I have no rights to the reports other than if I was still in hospital, then they would give me a copy of everything on being discharged.

It really is a stupid system when a GP can't Authorise a request for pathology from the local public hospital when it is a special case involving PICC line access that only the hospital can do..

We have found a way around the problem by using a local Specialist Haematologist, who does have hospital booking rights, who does know my GP and who will gladly act as a go between to authorise the blood tests and make sure my GP gets a copy.
It will all work out I'm sure, but it sure involved a lot of running around, back and forth to both doctors, and the procedure won't be in place in time for me to have the next blood test, which is due tomorrow. But it will happen now. :-) hugs n love, Meg

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks so much Gerri, it's been a tough 6 weeks so far but I am in a better head space now, just knowing what I am fighting and knowing there actually has been something wrong this last three and a half years. It just goes to show, unidentified pain is not normal and we have to push until we get a real answer. Hugs n love, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Janette. That and our Faith is all we really have to fight the unknown.
It isn't over, 'til it's over. :-) hugs n roses, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thank you so much my very dear friend. As I mentioned to you on the phone, I have to be extra careful now I'm on Immuno Suppressant treatment as it is designed to lower your body's immune system to stop it killing off your good organs. But that in itself makes one more susceptible to infections, where contact with Chicken Pox or Shingles in particular could actually kill the patient. :-0

It also means I am at greater risk of tumours, skin cancers and many other nasties, I'm also not allowed to go out in the sun. :-(

But I so look forward to your visits my friend, you always bring a breath of Spring with you. xxxxxxxxxx

by jrob 04 Sep 2018

Thanks Chris, I thought there was a lovely yellow Margaret rose.

by meganne edited 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Jerrilyn, yes it is sad when we practically have to take over our treatment and force doctors to listen, if we want to get help to survive. Just tonight, on the local news, a 19 year old girl died from Meningitis after the hospital said they found nothing wrong, suggested she take Nurofen and sent her home. She's the second one in 3 months. So very sad!
Hugs n love, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Christine, I do seem to have had a bit more than my share of illness since I survived breast cancer. I guess that's the pay off. :-) LOL!!! Hugs n love, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks so much Shirley. It is so annoying when our first line of defence, doctors move on.
We are onto our 5th GP since moving back here 8 years ago and we are so lucky my Chiropractor told us about our current GP because Ray and I both love him.
We both also felt really comfortable with the Professor, then my sister told me he was my Niece's specialist until she died in December 17.
She couldn't fault his treatment of my niece, he did everything he could for her even though she was terminally ill when he took her on.
I hope you find a doctor you are more comfortable with soon, they are out there. :-) Huge hugs, M

by shirley124 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Meg. I will keep looking for a good GP. I am sure there is one out there somewhere. Please take care and look after yourself. My prayers are with you. Hugs

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Vicki, I actually matched the hospital wall colour. LOL!!!
Every day in there was sheer hell as I missed my boys so very much and I was afraid of them fretting and acting out after three weeks apart, which of course they did.
They're back to their normal boisterous selves now, and all is good, they keep me going as I can't bear the thought of leaving them behind. I know you will understand this. Hugs and much love, dear friend.xxxxxx

by basketkase 03 Sep 2018

Yes, I know exactly what you mean....did the boys punish you at all....ours will run from us and not want to be snuggled by us for a couple of hours....don't know if that is a feral thing...
So happy you have that hospital behind you!

by meganne 05 Sep 2018

Yes, they both ignored me and Tiddles ran away from me, near broke my heart. Then he started doing his business in the stairwell and the bath instead of the litter tray. :-(
It took nearly a week for him to come around but I was expecting it and they DID come around. :-)

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks so much Tonya. My gums are actually bleeding too, as well as the ulcers so when I went to the Doctor's today he discovered I have mouth Thrush and he has prescribed drops to heal it all up.
I'm afraid to say my body doesn't handle drugs, of any kind, very well, and if there are any side effects to be had, I will surely run the whole gamut of them as my GP is now learning about me. LOL!!!
I'll definitely give the Mylanta a try, after we heal the Thrush, it would have to taste better than gargling with Bi-carb soda. Hugs hugs, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Barb, your prayers are truly appreciated. Huge hugs xxx M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thank you Sharon, your words are a great comfort. hugs n roses, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

:-) thank you hugs n roses, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thank you so much Laura, I WILL beat this, I've grabbed it by the horns and I'm fighting back, when I can stay awake long enough, that is. LOL!!!
The professor said he sees three new cases like mine every week, I can't help wondering why.
Over use of Antibiotics???? Pain killers????
Something seems amiss to me.
Huge hugs dear friend xxxx

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Sara, I'm sure going to fight like a Tiger. :-)
huge hugs n roses, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Betsy, I've lived with migraines all my life and when I have no migraine I just have bad headaches, mostly contributed to sugar and all sugar derivatives, it really sucks! But they are just my normal.
I would love a neck massage but Ray only has one hand so it never really works when he tries to give me one. LOL!!! I may try and find someone who does Shiatsu, any relief would be a blessing.
Huge hugs and love, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks so much Jo. We are as nothing without our friends and each one is loved beyond measure. Hugs hugs n love, M

by meganne 05 Sep 2018

Sorry Kim, I know I replied to you, I must have forgotten to hit the submit button. :-0
Thank you so much for your support, It is a road I am all to familiar with but at least I know what to expect and now have something to fight. Huge hugs n roses, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks Shirl, that would be most welcome any time.
When all we have is our Faith and belief in something greater than we are, a hug from a friend brings it all into perspective. Hugs n roses, M

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks so much Angie.
As the saying goes, "there is no greater fear, than fear itself". Now there is Hope there is no more fear, just sheer dogged determination to beat this. Huge hugs n Love xxxM

by meganne 03 Sep 2018

Thanks so much dear friend, he sure has and through all my beautiful Angel sisters at Cute I shall garner their strength to help me fight this. Huge hugs n love xxxx M