Doctors I Have Known, Part 4

I haven’t added to this series in a long time.  I still haven’t managed a picture with Dr. Dexeus.  I did, however, pin down my transplant surgeon, Dr. John P. Duffy, today for a picture.

As I said before, I know a LOT of doctors, and feel that God has divinely intervened with all of them.  I couldn’t ask for a better team of caring, knowledgeable men and women.  Dr. Duffy is one of three surgeons that comprise my transplant team.  He is the one who did my surgery, and I can’t thank him enough for doing such a wonderful job.

When I first met him, I asked him if he were old enough to be a doctor.  When you look at his picture you’ll see why.  He told me he was old enough for a lot of things!  J  But seriously he is just a little older than my sweet Hayley.  Yes, he is also young enough to be my son!

He is my main specialist now, since he did my surgery.  It amazes me that he remembers me when he sees me outside of the office.  He has many patients so I didn’t expect that.  One afternoon he saw me in the hall at the hospital and called my name to come see Dr. Kautzman.  They had seen me in the hall, and she didn’t believe it was me so he had me come over and show her how well I’m doing.  That also made me feel that I am recovering well which is so comforting.

I saw him today and left his office feeling that all was well, and that he is on top of things.  He has a fun sense of humor which you know is important to me.  He can be very serious when he needs to be, but a smile is always near by.

If you ever need a transplant, Heaven forbid, you are in good hands if you have Dr. Duffy for your surgeon.  

  

Transplant

I am one of those people who have been blessed with vibrant good health.  Dennis and I seldom, if ever, met our insurance medical deductible.  That is why all of this came as such a shock.

I have unsuccessfully fought a weight problem most of my life.  If you can think of a weight loss plan, I have tried it.  I did not do fin/fin, however.  I’m sure I misspelled that.  In 2003 I decided to try an over-the-counter weight loss pill called Malibu Trim by the Taebo Corporation. I took a pill in early January and 3 hours later came down with chilling and aching.  I assumed I had the flu.  Two weeks later I felt better so I took another pill.  The same symptoms occurred, this time much worse.

This was on a Sunday.  By Friday I had turned yellow and was so ill I had Nicholas take me to the doctor here at Fairview.  That is when I started seeing Dr. James Garner as my PCP, a wonderful guy.  He immediately entered me in the hospital.  I was sure the pill had caused it because things were identical.  No one agreed with me.

After a week at the Fairview Hospital I was taken by ambulance to Integris Baptist Hospital at Oklahoma City.  I was now under the care of Dr. Gurakahr at Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute.  I’m sure I don’t have to tell you I was terrified and had turned dark yellow. 

After a biopsy I was proved right!  It showed a chemical damage of 25%.  They began to look at that pill with different eyes.  I was told that my liver should heal itself.  I improved rapidly, lost 60 lbs., and didn’t have to quit my job.  Things went along pretty well for 6 years.  I didn’t feel perfect, but after all, I was in my 50’s.  Age was affecting me, too, I figured.

Things took a dramatic turn in March of 2009.  I’ll begin with that next time.

My niece, Rhonda, delicately hinted that I needed to update my blog.  Since I hadn't written since the 4th of July, I think she was right.

A lot has happened in my life since then, and most of the time I was too ill and weak to even get on the computer, let alone blog.  I am getting ready to do a series on my transplant experience.  I'm having a little trouble with writing about it, but I do feel it will make me feel better to share.  If I can help the next person in any way, that will be my delight.  It is an experience like nothing I've ever known.  Facing your mortality is not that fun, but God never promised us a life full of fun.  What He has done is bless me beyond measure.

Through the years I have blogged a little about living with liver disease.  I advise you to go back and reread those (if you can stomach it!)  :D  I did, and I survived it!  :D

I'll go into more detail later.  I'm dwelling on my blessings today.  My two precious granddaughters, Molly and Halston, are on my mind.  Here are their Christmas pictures.  You can see why I feel so blessed!

P.S.  If you're wondering "What's up with the blue background?"  Well, I just couldn't find a pink that went along with the picture.  Hard to imagine, I agree!  :D