Community Chat

[NickNack]

I posted earlier this week that I was having a health issue.  I had a colonoscopy last month and found out that the gastrointestinal problem I have had since July was ischemic colitis.  He wanted me to have an abdominal CT scan with contrast to see if they found anything else.  He indicated we may need to do more testing after that.  

I had the CT scan yesterday and haven't heard from my doctor.  I decided to check my Patient Portal with the hospital where I had a test done a few years ago.  The results were there.  There wasn't any new info on the gastro issue I'm having other than what the colonoscopy found (ischemic colitis).  

The bad news is that there is a lesion on my right kidney as well as thickening of the wall.  The radiologist recommends evaluation by a Urologist and an MRI with and without contrast.  When I Googled what the lesion was called, it is malignant 65% of the time.  Of course, it could also be benign.  I need to wait and hear what my gastroenterologist says about it.  My follow-up appointment with him isn't until the 28th, but I hope to hear from him tomorrow.  I hope that he will go ahead and refer me to a Urologist before I see him.

When I read about kidney cancer, it said it's usually found as an incidental finding on a CT scan.

I don't have anymore answers about what's causing my ischemic colitis though.  It's always caused by something else.  My iron is low, too, and ischemic colitis means something is blocking the blood flow to the colon.  He thinks that's why my iron is low.  From what I've read, I think I have atherosclerosis.  That's usually the cause.  To diagnose that, you usually have an angiogram.  I am very anxious to see the gastroenterologist again.  I also hope I'll hear back from him about my CT scan results tomorrow.  I have only read the report and haven't spoken to anyone about it.

Edited to say:  My Gasterologist called the second I posted this.  I posted our conversation in Message #9.  I don't think I posted what he said about the ischemic colitis.  He doesn't think that I have atherosclerosis, because he said that the CT scan got a good look at my arteries.  He thinks that the kidney issue could have caused the low iron.

[Boomernichols]

@NickNack Do not google the symptoms and results without a follow up with your dr.  Most of the time it can cause undue stress and that too is bad for ones health.  I will keep you in prayer for healing and comfort!  Good luck and hope you have a speedy recovery!

[gidgetgh]

@NickNack - I am so sorry to hear of your health issues.  I wish you the very best as they look for the causes. Take care.

[On It]

@NickNack I was hoping you would get results that were less worrisome. Still the doctors may interpret the results compared to previous results and be able to guide you through a successful course of treatment.

As for the kidney problem, my MIL had a kidney that had a cancerous tumor removed when she was 79.  She did not have any chemo or occurrence elsewhere in her body and had no further issues. Her eventual death was because of heart failure some ten years later.

[Kachina624]

@NickNack    I know you're very worried but you need to get off of the internet and self-diagnosis before you add a heart attack to your list of symptoms.  Find some other distraction and busy yourself.  Remind yourself that you have two kidneys.

Call your doctor tomorrow if you don't hear from him.  Won't your current test results be posted on the patient portal as soon as they're available?

Thinking of you and hoping for the best.

[qvcfreak]

Keeping you in prayer @NickNack. Praying for speedy recovery and that it isn’t anything too serious. 

[Tissyanne]

@NickNack ,

I understand that medical problems are worrisome, and more especially this time of year.

We will be hopeful that you can get in to see the proper doctors, and get answers for a path that will restore your health.

Blessings. 

[Duckncover]

I have to agree that exploring symptoms or words from your dr on the internet usually results in causing stress and worry when most of the time it isn'tnecessary. Your dr needs to put everything in perspective for you and address your specific issues...the online info is broad and general..and may not apply to you at all. Prayers you will hear back from your dr soon and get the answers you want. 

[NickNack]

My gastroenterologist called the second I posted this.  I took notes, and he said that they found a lesion on my kidney that was at high risk for cancer.  He's referring me to a urologist, and they should call me soon for an appointment.  He will try to rush the appointment for me.  If they don't call soon or make the appointment soon, he said to call him back and he will call them again.  I am so glad he called.

I also wanted to say that I searched the internet for ischemic colitis right after my colonoscopy and then make myself not search at all.  I searched for the specific lesion today after reading the radiologist's report and won't search again until after I see the Urologist.

@Boomernichols  @gidgetgh @On It @Kachina624 @qvcfreak @Tissyanne @Duckncover 

[qvcfreak]

Thanks for the update @NickNack. I’ll pray for you and hope the appointment gets scheduled real soon. 

Sending you hugs and kisses for Ava and Henry