Great Summer !?@#$

[WYOAnne]

Ok, so for most of us this summer has not been the greatest!

I tell people everyday to be your own advocate, but because of COVID-19 there have been some complications in that thought.

For me, March 31st I started to run a low-grade fever( up to 100.8). So, my nephrologist thought I had COVID for sure. Wanted me to shelter in place and not go out among "sick" people. I am immunosuppressed due to a transplant in 1999. My fever continued and by the later half of April I contacted my PCP because the COVID tests here in WY were easier to come by. Tested on 4/24 and was negative. PCP sent me to Infectious Disease. Ran lots of blood tests and ordered renal ultrasound. Only thing that showed up was that I had inflammation somewhere. But because of COVID, listened to heart and lungs but no real complete exam.

With my urging - PCP scheduled an hour long appointment with me. Went over all of my symptoms and even checked the thermometer I was using. Sent me to cardiology due to fever and heart murmur. Thought I could have endocarditis. Had TEE - transesophageal Echo. Found I have a great heart, and NO endocarditis. Was about ready to give-up now. TEE was done at hospital under anesthesia.

With my husbands urging my PCP contacted me again & together we decided to check on my gallbladder. Had a fasting ultrasound of my gallbladder, where they inject a hormone into your vein to see how your gallbladder works. By the time I got home after the test I got deathly ill. Called my doctor's office.....and guess what? my almost 4 months of fever was all due to my gallbladder. Saw the surgeon on July 22nd and had surgery the 23rd. Said gallbladder was enlarged, inflamed, had thickened & had backed up into my liver - causing liver enzymes to elevate. What if I had given up and not perused the cause of my fever?!@#

I guess my point...never give up! You know your body better than anyone. If you are not well, or running a temperature like I was, insist that your doctors' keep checking things out, even when you seem to be at the end of the road!!!

I am now FEVER FREE and feeling good almost 3 weeks since my surgery!

Take care all - and remember to be your own ADVOCATE!!!

[Bassetmommer]

Yikes,

So glad you pursued it. The gallbladder can be nasty when it goes bad. Take care and great picture.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks so much! I can't help but think if COVID wasn't going on they would have found my "bad" gallbladder a whole lot sooner.

I now call my primary care doctor - "Dr. House." Remember that TV show? He always got those hard to diagnose patients. Ha, ha.

[Bassetmommer in reply to WYOAnne]

yup. And I think you are correct. I think many providers are jumping to COVID for everything.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

Ya, if I didn't pursue my fever.....

Not one of the specialist I saw really gave me a complete exam, until my PCP told he would not give up till he found the cause of my fever. You wonder how many people are out there with undiagnosed conditions because of COVID!

[Lifechanger1]

Nice to hear about a happy ending😊

[Lionkin]

Brilliant on your part, Many times I have had to be persistant like you to have survived so far, once a Doctor told me you are not a doctor, I agreed with him, BUT I told him .. I am just managing my disease .. & that's all I am going - Dr finally understood where I came from. Another instance, prior to the transplant... the GFR was 10 and below...the nephrologist said it is too early for transplant...at that point my wife pointed out the poster in the room. she told him l"Dr please look at that poster...states clearly transplant is possible if GFr goes below 15." he felt so embrassed that it was the last we saw him.. Hate so say this ... you have to be fortunate to come across good doctors...Yes you are correct...never give up... I am alive today because of my persistence..& a desire not to give up...My wife & I are happy for you

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to Lionkin]

Thanks! It is a shame though, that we have to be so persistent. My creatinine numbers were starting to go up. So glad they found the problem when they did.

Take care!

[Dara3351]

Five months after my transplant I started having vomiting episodes. That was in May 2019. Vomiting episodes appeared more often but not regular. I questioned my transplant team if it could be my gallbladder but they didn’t follow up. I went to my regular Doctor who referred me to a GI specialist. (September). By the time I saw the ZgI specialist they were monitoring me. Well, on Friday December 13th I woke up with the worst vomiting episodes ever! I had had enough! I drove myself to the ER 7 minutes from my house and got admitted. I ended up having an endoscopy and my gallbladder removed! Once that was done I felt like a million! I agree, you have to be persistent! My nephrologist wanted to put me on some medication and when I saw the side effects I refused to take the drug! Doing good so far, 18 months past my transplant!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Thanks for sharing your story. So glad you listened to your body and got the help you needed.

Take care.