Renal Biopsy 2.0

Hospital lunch, photobombed by my urine specimen!

Admitted for renal biopsy tomorrow!

Good luck to me!

Sophia and Her "disappeared" Inguinal Hernia

So, we were at Hospital Selayang for Sophia's appointment at Pediatric Rheumatology. 

Can you believe it, she's 6 month-old (young!)!

Now, measuring 62 cm and weighs about 6.5kg!

The story about her inguinal hernia? It sort of 'disappeared'.

We asked the doctor for his opinion, he checked and he couldn't feel it too.

He told us that there is a 10% chance where inguinal hernia resolved by itself as muscles strengthens, so perhaps Sophia is the lucky 10%! Yay!!

We have an appointment to see the Pediatric Surgery at the clinic in October and hopefully they will share the same opinion!

As you can see in the photo, she has this big white cotton bandage over her hand.

Yes, they took many vials of blood.

Poor Sophia was crying out so loud. We can only hear her screams as we were not allowed to watch.

Achy! Heart feels so achy.

Hope her blood tests are okay.

Hope my stupid, weird auto antibodies are NOT in her system.

Note : 

Autoantibodies directed against Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantigens were originally identified in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Subsequent studies showed that anti-Ro/SSA antibodies may be present in patients with other autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Additionally, anti-Ro/SSA antibodies (with or without anti-La/SSB antibodies) identify pregnant women who are at increased risk of having a child with neonatal lupus syndrome. 

 Neonatal lupus (NL) is a passively transferred autoimmune disease. It occurs in about 1 to 2 percent of babies born to mothers with autoimmune disease, primarily systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren’s syndrome, and antibodies to SSA/Ro and/or SSB/La

Suspected Inguinal Hernia

Worry.

Yes ... worry.

The doc at Hospital Serdang thinks Sophia has Inguinal Hernia, with trapped ovary.

Yes, you heard it right, trapped ovary.

The treatment is surgery to put the ovary back in place and repair / close weak tissue opening.

Sophia's case has been referred to HKL (Hospital Kuala Lumpur) as she is very young, less than 3 months old. According to the docs, only two medical institutes handle pediatric surgery for less than 3 months old babies, namely HKL and HUKM.

HKL (Hospital Kuala Lumpur) is a full government hospital.

HUKM (Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) is a university hospital.

Going to HKL with referral letter later today. 

It is 4.39 am - not Sophia's feeding time yet and I can't sleep!

Sophia says "Hello" !!

20-Feb-2013 : To go FPP or NOT?

5 More Days to hotel hospital admission day (25/2)

What is FPP?

FPP stands for Full Paying Patient Scheme at selected Government Hospital in Malaysia.

Sort of like a private section, where patient gets to select their own specialist, comes with priority in-patient facilities but do not expect to be treated like a 'diva' in 'real' private hospitals.

Below is the estimated cost, obtained from Hospital Selayang.
The other hospital offering the same scheme is Hospital Putrajaya.

I am posting this because I remember google'ing' like mad for cost estimates.
So hopefully, it will help others who are now google'ing' like mad.
"Estimated Cost of Delivery under FPP in Selayang Hospital"

Am I going for FPP?
Very likely, with much support Aunt LL :)

My only worry is, should there be complications and I'm needed to stay much longer ... the hospital bill will creep-up... and up....
Then again, I've been told that I can exit from FPP, at any time upon settling all outstanding.

Why am I going for FPP?
A specialist will be sure to perform the c-sec and stitch me up after ... without FPP, I may end up with a trainee - I've heard of horror stories.
A little privacy, with a single room - fingers crossed rooms are available upon admission.
And, should Little Binny ends up in NICU - it will be under government rates, not FPP.

Please pray, purr that all will be well, smooth and safe for little Binny and I! :)

Stubborn

If my 'lil blob would have continued, and grow, I am sure he'll be one very stubborn child.

I've not been blogging as my mind is all messed-up.
At this point of time, I feel like kicking the OBGYN doctors in Selayang Hospital.

One word - F###

After my miscarriage last month and a scan that showed not further medical intervention required - I am happy because it means I can move on. My bleeding was not very heavy and it stopped after a week.

One fine day. I did a UPT test and there it was, a faint positive line.
I thought to myself, "Hey, I must be a cat! I ovulate when in heat, in presence of sperm! How cool is that?"
My happiness turned into worri'ness' when the lines weren't getting darker.
It got slightly darker, then remained at the same shade.

I waited for 2 weeks, went to the hospital and as usual their crappy UPT can't detect anything - negative.
I know there's HCG in my system somehow. I went to a nearest GP for a Beta HCG test.
Got my result on Monday, it was 70 and I have been spotting.
Hmmmm....

I waited for another week. Why another week? Well, I had a  follow-up Nephro. Two causes, one trip to hospital. So fine. I am such a great planner .... :)

I took my blood report to the OBGYN reception. I explained to her I had a miscarriage last month and I am worried of three things. First, I am now pregnant and going through another MC. Second, there are leftover cells from my previous MC. Third, something else?

30 minutes later, the receptionist said to me. "The doctor" said go take another UPT, if it is negative and based on your blood result, "You are NOT PREGNANT". I asked her if  "The doctor" looked through my 'medical records', apparently "The doctor" DID NOT.

I persisted, I said that I have lupus and asked that "The doctor" look at my medical records. After 10 minutes or so, "The doctor" decided to see me.

I went in, there's a blur-blur sotong staring at me. I asked for my last beta HCG done in the hospital a month ago, it was 60. HCG should be going down, not up after miscarriage - in theory.

Then "The doctor" came and first thing she said to me "You are NOT PREGNANT" ....

Oh #$$%#%#$  ... the way she make it sound like I was some kind of "mom-wannabe" mentally challenged freak.

Without looking at my records again. She went on explaining that HCG takes a while to come down and how it halves every 48 hours. Hmmm...
Then I said to her, a month ago it was 60, check my records. Now it is 70?

Again she said "You are NOT PREGNANT" ...

Then she explained that lab machines are different, therefore could be reason for the increase by 10 to 70. Hmmm... Come on. This is after one month! If my blood result is showing 25 or so, I wouldn't even be bothered!

Anyway after much facts arguing  discussion, she said I acted 'defensive'.
Well, get turn away often and you'll know how to defend!

At the end, she ordered another beta HCG. She then did an abdominal scan, which was like less than 2 minutes and I asked her if there's anything left in there, she said "nothing". I am very skeptical over her 'scanning' skills.

Plus, she 'fingered' me to check and didn't telling me what it was for!!!!!

I requested for medicine to encourage menstruation and of course, she said that I wait. #@%@$#%##%

So, to see them again on 3/10.

I hate waiting, so, today, I went to see a private OBGYN clinic with my results for a second opinion.
Yup, it is not normal for HCG to stay on after a month of miscarriage.
Should be preferably less than 5.
He, (yes, doctor a 'He') scanned and unlike "The doctor" in Hospital Selayang - he did it thoroughly and detected a 'mass', he said it could be leftover cells.
He tried to remove it but was 'too deep' -  he did showed me some white tissues which he managed to reach.

Here I am now with pills to speed-up menstruation and hopefully flushes IT out and some antibiotics.

I am totally pissed with OBGYN's "The doctor" in Hospital Selayang.
It doesn't mean that if it is under GOVERNMENT it should be SUB-STANDARD!!!

I pray that IT (is indeed a leftover cells), flushes out completely, I won't have any complications and can go on heat as soon as possible... hehehehe ......

Gosh, it feels so good to rant!

Blood Test ... again ...

Thankfully, I met a Type 1 today.

My apologies for failing to elaborate on the existence of the Type 3 nurse, one who pokes, pokes, pokes and can't get the blood out! :)
Even a "doc" recognises the existence of this very special "type".
(P:S: The "doc" who commented is really a "doc"!)

Come Monday, it will be another medical review / follow-up appointment.
My hair is getting thicker (so is my waist ... heheeheee)
My knees are behaving,
I feel 'okay' overall BUT what if my inside is screwed?

Well ... we will know Monday.

P:S: It took me a record-breaking time of 45 minutes going round, round and round before I finally found a nice, cramp, illegal spot to park my car this time!

Blood Test ...

When it comes to nurses drawing blood, there are two types.

Type 1 who pokes you lighty and draw slowly ... not-so-painful

Type 2 who pokes you deeply and draw very quickly... freaking, !%$@#!% painful.

I met Type 2 today.

Sigh ....

Who will I met on Wednesday, I wonder.

Till Wednesday ... let me end this post with ...

Gold Banana - RM 2.41, taste is priceless ... 

Bad Mr. Cloxacillin

Bad, bad Mr. Cloxa.

You made my buttock itch like mad at 2 am!

My left ear looked like a steamed lobster.

Guess what?

I am dumping you.

I'm seeing Mr. Erythromycin now.

He is much nicer and caring too.

At least, he is after meal,

Unlike you, before meal.

You are truly a mean, mean Mr. Cloxa.

P:S: Had allergy reaction towards Cloxacillin. 

This other doc thinks IT is an infected cyst. IT continue to look red, swollen and ugly.

I feel unpretty.

I am so tempted to hit this 'thing' against the wall, hopefully IT will go away!

(or IT may return very much bigger and stronger!)

Queen Lupie

With a crown.

I shall bestow upon myself, a title befitting myself  - Queen Lupie

(yikes! what sort of English is that?)

Heck, the crown is not even fitted yet!

My soon-to-be-fitted-crown-may-look-like-this.

Hmm ... maybe not that 'gold' ..

Probably 'nickle' ..

Heck, I don't know.

My super huge filling (of my upper left molar) "dropped / chewed / cracked" off yesterday (Happy Valentine's Day!) while I was having a bun! Hmmmm....

I panicked as today is a Public Holiday in Malaysia 

(Today's my "Chinese (i.e. Lunar)" Birthday too!)

Still, with the purrs of the kitties indoor and outdoor, I've managed to see a dentist today to resolve my woes, temporary at 32T Dental Clinic. (Dentist in Puchong area)

To put it short, I need a crown, for I'm a Queen with mighty ....  small coffer.

I shall revamp the tax structures!!

The people shall pay for my Crown ... muahahahah...

Still,

If only there are tax payers.

Sigh.

Another lupus ranting brought to you by sillylupie.com.

P:S: Not all bad - I was at Hospital Selayang yesterday and the Nephrology doctor wrote "Renal Remission" Yay!!

My medications are now slowly being tapered down to lowest possible maintenance dosage!

Yay!!

And I'm getting a crown soon...

Yay!!

(This is when the Credit Card comes into the picture.)

Long Live the Queen!!

Nephro Says... Rheumy Says ...

Wolfie Says ... "Don't worry Mom, SpiderMeow is here"

I'm very depressed.

Nephro thinks I'm okay,

Rheumy thinks I'm not,

My steroid is upped again.

I almost snapped at the doctor.

I said I don't want my steroid upped 

(to 12.5mg frm 7.5mg)

Up, Down, Up, Down

I almost, almost cried.

I felt like Alice in Wonderland.

Is this real, is this pretend?

I'll get by,

I'll survive.

(Avril Lavigne - Alice)

Then, doc mentioned "stroke" - Risk of stroke.

And he said he is not trying to scare me.

Headaches, dizziness, migraine, low potassium ..

600mg Potassium Chloride ... big yummy yellow candy on a daily basis ... yay!

Welcome to My Wonderland...

You can call me Alice.

Borderline

Borderline WBC, RBC, Hb and Potassium (need bananas!).

How nice...

Just like a drama, suspense to see what happen next.

Still, doc @ Nephro thinks I am doing well.

I think I am doing well.

So two think the same, I must be doing well.

This time, the doc reminds me of a version of Dr. Chase (in the HOUSE series).

Nicey chap.

Told him I've been feeling light-headedness lately, then, heart palpitation issue came into the picture.

I've been having racing pulse and tremors for as long as I remember after being diagnosed.

Tested for Thyroid several times but results came back normal.

I guess it is just 'idiopathic' - you know for an idiot like me.

Well, nicey doctor ordered ECG that came back with the word "borderline abnormal". He reviewed and said it is normal. He must be right. Machine sucks. Just like BMI calculation that puts me borderline obese!

Ahhh ... I will survive after all.

WiMax Wednesday (YES)

Today ...

Another lovely day waiting in the hospital for a blood test, then to see the world's most adorable nephrologist. (Can't blame me for trying to think positive!).

Here I am, finally connected to the YES network (WiMax) - after walking around the hospital with my notebook looking like a mad woman. Shall post more later on the available spots to say YES! 

The main hospital building is a big "NO-NO" for YES. I've found a nice little place for YES, covered, not under the sun, with aircond, power point ........ (shall reveal later ... )

As you can see from the coverage map - Hospital Selayang is considered covered by YES, but look at the grey area in-between. Hospital Selayang is just right at the edge! :)

Negrologi ..

Or should it be Nefrologi?

Had my blood test this morning.

The Nephrology Department of Selayang Hospital is now equipped with QMS!

(QMS = Queue Management System)
At least now I can go pee and not stick my butt on the chair waiting for them to call out my name!
Yay!

Omen?

OMEN

(n.) An occurrence supposed to portend, or show the character of, some future event; any indication or action regarded as a foreshowing; a foreboding; a presage; an augury.

(v. t.) To divine or to foreshow by signs or portents; to have omens or premonitions regarding; to predict; to augur; as, to omen ill of an enterprise.

Obviously, I am a very super person (yay!), super, as in 'superstitious'.

My left eye has been twitching on and off today.

Generally, left eyes twitching means something 'good' for a steroid-infused, gorilla-like female.

For more reading, go to :- Eyes twitch, Ear Itch

Anyway, my ear don't itch but my bump does.

Follow-up appointment with the Dermatology Dept today on the nasty "fungal" attack on my bump and ahem, arrhem area. Ended up seeing a 'cute male doctor'!

Too shy to show him my sexy bump as it is the time of the month.

p.a.s.s

Other than eye twitches that gets me all flustered, I hate dreaming of 'tooth'.

Yeah, any dream that has my 'tooth' extracted/crack/broke is a bad omen.

Seriously.

Too many incidents that coincidently happened after several of my past 'tooth' dreams.

Stay away 'tooth' dream.

Medical Monday : Otolaryngology (the ENT Doc) & Ophthalmology (the EYE Doc)

That's the interesting about having lupus.

You learn to spell Otolarynogoologylogy

and Ophthomalmology ..

(Maybe not ..)

Today, I get to see doctors from the above two specialties!

Oto = Ear, Nose, Throat

Oph = The "Eye" Doctor

The "Eye" doctor is what I see on a yearly basis.

It is to monitor for "Plaquenil Toxicity" towards the eyes.

What is Plaquenil? 

It is anti-malarial that I take on a daily basis.

I've seen the "Eye" doctor a couple of times, and was expecting "ok", "clear",

instead, she said something that now bugs me.

"Oh.. there's signs of early formation of cataract"

One of the very common side effects of long-term use of steroid (prednisolone), other than looking like a hairy female gorilla.

"Cataracts – Steroid therapy can cause cataracts. People usually notice glare which progresses to blurry vision. It may seem as if your glasses are not working properly. Night vision may also be reduced. The first sign of glare is difficulty driving into the sunset or difficulty with reflections from headlights on rainy nights."

source :- http://www.bclupus.org/reference_library/Symposium/symposium-20051022-Wade%20Kevin%20Dr-Eye%20Manifestations%20of%20Lupus%20and%20Sjogren's%20Syndrome.pdf

Now I understand why I can't stand driving at night!

Anyway - at this point of time, there's nothing to worry about until I see some "floating dots, specks" or experience pain in me eyes. So, to see EYE doc next year!

The highlight of today is the ENT doctor, in my case, I complained about my blocked, very dry nose, which is now not very dry anymore as body will attempt to heal itself! Should have checked me 3-4 weeks ago when my nostril was like a dry desert, a flick of the lighter, my nostril hair will burn!

Well, I don't like the idea of having "doctor" look into my nostril, that's exactly what happened!

And, to put my nostril to further test, after some spray to numb me two nostrils, a little camera went all the way through my nostril and there you have it, on the screen, image of my nostril hair - MONSTER NOSTRIL HAIR. I didn't want to look.

Was happy to hear them say, "Oh, there's no growth".

The doctor gave me some allergic pills, nasal spray and vaseline.

Good enough.

I thought of approaching the Nephro today about my sudden dip in WBC, I didn't.

I'm hoping it will regularised itself somehow before my next visit to see them end of first week December.

Wish me luck.

P:S: Oh ya, while having dinner at a restaurant tonight, I saw a cute guy, got too excited and hit my head on the beam behind me. Bugger.

Medical Monday : The results are IN!

Full Blood Count is within the normal range!

Even my RBC (Red Blood Count) came out normal!

4.32 - okay lah borderline normal but it is a great change from borderline "low"

And, liver albumin is up.

No protein detected in urine.

Except for Mr. Potatossium, which is borderline "low".

Lower than the test I had when I was pooping in my pants.

3.0 (did not poop in pants) vs 3.3 (poop in pants)

Nevermind.

I'll eat lots and lots of bananas!

Had a little peek at my skin biopsy result.

"Dermatofibroma" - benign, no malignancy - so it is all good!

Plus, prednisolone dose was tapered further, now 7.5mg daily.

MMF remains at 2gm a day.

All other meds remain.

Cautiously, I may be on my way to remission!!

P:S: Stuffy nose, to see another doc next month.

Till then, it will be me and  ..

P:SS : Thank you ALL for the constant healing purrs, prayers, blessing !!

Medical Monday

Again, it is Medical Monday.

I'll be seeing the Nephro doc at Hospital Selayang today to review the bloodworks.

Hopefully, my prednisolone will be tapered further.

Appointment is late morning.

My car is unwell - needs a gearbox transplant,

I am unwell too,

Bugger.

My nose is all stuffy. 

Started a couple of days ago and it is not getting better.

It now hurts, painful to touch. Mind you having a similar-sized Jackie Chan's nose does not help.

It amplify the pain due to the size ... muahahahaha ...

Plus, I am feeling feverish.

I can joke.

I can laugh.

As long as you don't touch my nose,

You are spared.

This post is dedicated to Jackie Chan.

We biggie nose people.

Excisional Skin Biopsy

On Monday - 27/9 , I woke up at 6.00 am and drove myself to the hospital.

I finally accumulated enough guts to get this strange, mole-like (but not), slightly raised bump dark brown in appearance removed. I've had it for more than 2 years, started like a little mosquito bite but with hard sort of bump - like there's something underneath the skin.

Anyway, after much persuasion from Lucky - who called me a "chicken".
I decided to have it removed via a procedure known as "skin biopsy".
Seriously, I had no idea what to expect when I arrived at Hospital Selayang Day Care Centre.
I am truly a "chicken" at heart! Lucky's right.
I almost U-Turn home when driving.

Procedure was at 9 something. It is known as an "excisional skin biopsy" - where the whole area of "bump" was removed. YES, it needed stitches to close-up. I've never had stitches before.
More about skin biopsy

First, local anesthesia injection was applied on the skin, then after I'm all numb - the cutting, digging begun.
It took more than 20 minutes (I think) and they showed me the prized "bump", looked like it had a 'root' to it.
It is the size of half a pea, small pea - TESCO's pea - hahahah...

Now, I am left with THIS.

3-4 inches under my BUSTLINE !!!!!!!!!
I guess my dreams to model for Victoria Secrets has just gone "pooooofff".

I hate stitches.

1189 ...

I totally hate going to the Emergency Dept over small matters like diarrhea and nausea.

I hate explaining to the guy manning the outside counter "why a healthy looking (chubby too) woman here at the ED?"

I hate being look at like there's a tag on my forehead "h.y.p.o.c.h.o.n.d.r.i.a.c".

BUT

Considering my next blood test will only be in first week of Oct,

My appointment to see the doctor will be mid-Oct,

Also, next week is a loooong weekend (again! Yipppee) ... with the RAYA celebrations.

AND

Their NEPHRO Dept did ask me to approach ER if symptoms persist.

WELL

It has been over 3-weeks.

I am alive and pooping in my pants is no laughing matter. Dammit!

GOOD NEWS though ...

 My full blood count and liver tests came back OKAY.

Well, not-that-OKAY, but I've always been "borderline" this and that.

So, in my case - I am OKAY.

I've even forgotten that I've always been borderline anemic - but hey my hemoglobin counts rocks this time.

My Potassium was at "borderline" low .. so I've been given this really cool drink.

Hmmmm .. okay, maybe not so "cool".

We were at the hospital for more than 3 hours, got home at about 3.30am.

Well, it was a busy night at ER - there were so many accident cases, one elderly guy who was bashed up by some hooligans and not forgetting - one "h.y.p.o.c.h.o.n.d.r.i.a.c".

THIS MORNING, I saw a "missed call" from the hospital at 4.40am.

I have NO ID what they want.

I can't return call because I have NO ID who called me?

NOW, I'm going to have this NAGGING feeling of what the call was all about.

They didn't left a voicemail, so should be safe to assume it wasn't urgent?

Maniac Monday

Apparently I am "famous" ...

Ohhhh Wahhh ....

(abridged version)

Doc : So, how many cyclos have you been through?

Me : Once

Me : I am on MMF (CellCept)

Doc : Ohh ... so you are the one who complained till up there?
http://sillylupie.blogspot.com/2010/04/encounter-with-blur-blur-sotongs.html

Me : Huh? Yes?

Doc : You are famous

Me : Hmmm...

(P:S: I am "pissed")

I bet they have little black stars on my records.

Damn.

I am beginning to feel like "Monkey God" who created a ruckus in heaven and eventually imprisoned for centuries?

Photo courtesy of http://foxradio.com/?p=pages/promotions1/miss_sturgis_contest_at_monkey_rock