Biopsy Results

I just got a call from Dr. Wingerson's Office. the testing on the biopsies is back. Here are the results.
Drumroll.......................................

First of all I don't have chrons. That means the immflamation in my colon due to Ulcerative Colitis is not just Chrons in disguise. Chrons and Colitis are very similar but colitis is limited to the colon and chrons can spread through out the digestive system. Ulcerative colitits can be treated with surgery but chrons cannot. I still probably will only get the surgery if there is no other way to recover. The surgery is only done is if all other options are exhausted or if the colon perferates or develops cancer.

Also, The bacteria tests all came back negative. the pain and immflamation is not due to an over growth of Clostridium Dificile, H. Pylori, or any other kind of bacteria.

Also, I do not have Celiac disease. This means that I can eat wheat and gluten foods without them making me sick.

I do have GERD, but that is treatable and isn't related to the trouble in my colon. However, it has made me have pain in my ears, trouble swallowing food and pills, loss of appetite, and nausea. The symptoms are adding to the overall health of my body, which could be contributing to the really long flare up. Especially since it has made me not sleep well or eat well.

My Guts!

I am feeling pretty good today. The sedation has worn off and there is very little pain. I have a sore throat from the scope, but am otherwise mostly recovered. Our home teacher and his wife brought us an amazing meal last night and my mom is bringing chicken noodle soup over today. Thanks everyone!

Seth Douglas Stewart

This is my new little nephew. Isn't he so cute! I had some other pictures of him, but they wouldn't load. If you want to see more of his cuteness, look on his momma's blog. The link is on the right. He has had a rough start. He gave us all quite a scare. It looks like he is doing better, though. I think he looks like my handsome husband Benjamin, don't you?

Endoscopy

I just got home from my procedure at the hospital. I am doing great. I am mostly off balance because of the drugs. The procedure was mostly painless. The worst part was getting the camera down past the epiglottis. It was so hard not to throw up. The small intestine looked fine. The stomach was mostly fine. We still need to get the biopsy back before we can know about celiac and bacteria overgrowth. However, my esophagus is in bad shape. The is scarring and a sliding hiatial hernia in the esophagus and I definitely do have Esophageal Reflux Disease. That explains the pain in my ears, loss of appetite, hiccuping, sleep troubles, and the difficulty I have swallowing. i don't really have heartburn pain, but the acid is definitely eating away my esophagus. We left the hospital in a hurry so that Benjamin would not miss any more classes. I am not sure what everything means but i am grateful that I had this done. We will find out the biopsy results in about a week or so. I am recovering from the procedure very quickly but I still can't drive until afternoon tomorrow. I am grateful for everyone's help, support, fasting, and prayers. I have had so much help through this trial. I love and appreciate you all. Thank You. I will post pictures of my guts later.

Upper GI Endoscopy

This is my GI doctor who will be performing the endoscopy on thursday.

On Thursday April 2nd I am going to get an Upper Gastro-Intestinal Endoscopy. I will only be partially sedated and I will recover that day. The dangers of this procedure are very small and very rare. I should recover within a few hours.
Dr. Wingerson will view my esophagus, stomach, and small intestine with a camera. He will probably take biopsies of all of those organs, too. He will be able to tell if I have Chrons, Celiac disease, bacteria overgrowth, parasites, or esophageal reflux or strictures. I need this procedure because I am having a hard time recovering from my latest flare up of Ulcerative Colitits. I have shown many signs of things that could be making it hard for me to recover. Also, it is good to know if I have Chrons. The colon can only be removed in Ulcerative Colitis and not Chrons even though they are treated in the same way. This procedure could also explain my frequent lack of appetite, energy, and my difficulty swallowing. Within the next few weeks I will also test my blood sugar, my iron levels, and my adrenal gland performance. Please keep us in your prayers during this time. These tests will be very revealing no matter what the outcome and could provide us with a clear idea of what to do next. We are so grateful for every one's prayers, help, and support. Thank you.

Funny Bells Palsy Video

This is a movie of me trying to flare my nostrils during my spell of Bell's Palsy. I couldn't move the left side of my face so I could only move one nostril. i couldn't get my left eye to close very well. Sometimes, if I concentrated really hard, I could bring it down for a brief blink. I was trying to smile and only my right half would smile.  I look ridiculous. SO GLAD THATS OVER! :)

Ice Ice Baby

Yesterday Benjamin and I were walking across the church parking lot holding hands. The ground was a sheet of solid ice dusted with powdery snow. It didn't take long before we were slipping and sliding. we both started to fall and we made the mistake of holding hand even tighter. Benjamin landed hard on his bottom and I spun and landed facing the opposite direction face first.  Hard! My chin hit the ground first. I looked down as I started to get up and I saw blood falling in the snow. I cut open my chin and was bleeding all over. Benjamin rushed me inside but didn't hold on to me too tight: good thing, because he fell again not long after. We grabbed some paper towels and headed over to Community Care. The cut was straight but very deep and gaping. I got seven stitches and the doctor did a very good job. I feel dizzy and my jaw is very sore. I can't move it very much or chew with my molars. They had to give me a Tetnus Booster. I feel a bit queezy from that and my arm hurts, but its not too bad really. I think I am just a big wimp about getting shots.

You can't really see the cut looking straight on. Hopefully the scar won't be visable!

 

Bell's Palsy

Here are some shots of my Bells Palsy. These aren't the best pictures at showing the difference between my paralyzed half and the normal half. It looks more strange when my eye isn't taped shut and when I am trying to blink. My good eye got so tired that it drooped. Even when my eye was taped shut it would fight to break free and stay opened. But I can blink now! I am finally symmetrical!