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Hello everyone
| Wed, 01-04-2006 - 9:50pm |
How are you? I hope all of you are doing well at the start of this year.
Have not been on-line really for a while d/t the usual --- school, work, holidays, radiation daily --- you know the grind :)!!!
Anyway, I am excited, tomorrow is my last radiation therapy day!!!! YIPPEE. I am so glad that this part will be over --- it has been tough finding the time and energy to get there every day.
My UC has been bothering me on and off, but knock-on-wood, right now it is quiet.
My dr. upped my ASACOl to 8/day from 6 and it seems to be working.
Well, I just wanted to check in --- and hopefully will have more time for posting now that I will be getting back 2 hours/day of my life :)!!!
Ellen

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Hey Susie...
I found this article for both of us...thought I would share it:
Hi, I have a liver hemangioma that they found when doing a catscan of my abdominal area because of my pain. They did another follow-up catscan a few weeks later to take a closer look and make sure that is what it was. It looks like it is, and I have to go for another scan in six months to make sure it is not growing since that is the major risk. I have done tons of research on these when I was diagnosed so please feel free to chat with me about. It is like a birthmark...many children (mine has one, as does my usband and MIL) have skin hemangiomas (people call them stork bites or angel kisses). They look like a red blotch on the skin. Some are raised and some are not. Sometimes hemangiomas resolve and go away on their own over time since they are a cluster of blood vessels. I may have had mine since birth, and the just happened to find it when looking for something else (which is usually the case).
Vicki
Thanks Susie!
Glad your appt went well. When do you get the results from the biopsy and pap? Fingers and toes crossed for you.
Vicki
Vicki & Lynn,
Yes I had read that a hemangioma is usually benign but I'm worried that they do not know for sure if mine is benign or not. According to the radiologist's report that I have a copy of it doesn;t have the typical characteristics of a benign hemagioma. The radiologist recommended a repeat MRI in 3 -4 months but my GI doc originally pooh-poohed that and said 6 months then he changed his mind and his office called me to schedule it in 3 months so January 25 is the date. When is your repeat Vicki? And did your doctor say that it will need continuous monitoring in the future to be sure it is not growing? and if it does grow what do they do about it? I'd be curious to hear your doctor's opinion of this.
Take Care!
Sue
Hi. I have to schedule my next catscan for June. My dr doesn't seem worried about it, but his track record lately does not make me feel better. He did not say if we will always need to monitor it, I will have to ask him. If it does grow, they worry about rupture (which is bad)...and they would probably have to remove it surgically. The liver is pretty resiliant and can regenerate new cells. Let me know what the MRI results are and lets keep in touch about this!
Vicki
Vicki,
thanks for the update - my GI doc really didn't seem too concerned about it - although the appointment at which we reviewed the liver MRI we also had to review the results of my esophageal mannometry test and 24 hour PH probe that I had just had and he was running very late so he just breezed through it. But I am not breezing by it! Depending on my next MRI and what he says I may try and get a second opinion. Although sometimes second opinions do not offer more relief. A good friend is dealing with a nodule on her thyroid and the first specialist said that the biopsy couldn't differentiate if it was benign or malignant and reommended removal of the surgery. The second specialist at (Mass General in Boston) said it is benign - no surgery needed. So now she is off to see a third doctor. What a way to make yourself crazy!
Anyway sounds like a good idea to keep in touch - my MRI is January 25 and I see the GI Doc on February 7; however, I usually go back to the hospital 2 days after any tests I have and get a copy of the Radiologist's report so I can read it and try to understand it before I see the doctor. Actually the real reason is so I can make myself worry with fear!!!LOL that's what happened when I got the cat scan report and saw that they didn't know if it was bengin or malignant.
Well I have to get ready to go to work. Talk with you again.
Susie
I think it is a good idea to get a 2nd opinion. After seeing the gastro dr yesterday and him thinking it is not gb, but rather stomach it is more confusing...but as you said, I would rather figure out what is causing the pain before any kind of surgery. I think I may switch doctors anyway after all this, so I am going to get a 2nd opinion too. I have all my catscan results and films (wish I know what i was looking at). GREAT idea getting the report after your tests (I had to get mine because of surgery). I think especially as women we have to be proactive and we know our bodies best! Praying that yours is begnin.
Vicki
Hey Vicki,
I always agree with a second opinion.
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