Hangover with Cirrhosis after Ablation
This is another one of those blogs that might not make a lot of sense. Howeva, when I experience something and write about it, so many of you have gone through the same thing. We are not alone. I’m not waiting for my brain to clear up to post a blog even though I have a hangover with cirrhosis after ablation. It was done by the radiation oncologist to try and shrink the tumors again right after my birthday. More tumors came on because of cirrhosis. I had Hep C and got cancer and a tumor, and the big one separated. If they keep them small, I can stay on the transplant list.
Side Note: I wrote this a few days before my transplant and reposting to celebrate 4 years post transplant week. It’s a messy and rambling blog and my mental state was wobbly. It’s kinda funny and kinda sad how messy it was.
I was not taken off the list or denied a transplant because I stayed compliant and got all the right treatment just in time. Please see your doctor if you have Hepatitis C or any type of liver disease. Get your ultrasounds and other tests like MRI done routinely.
Symptoms and Cure
I’ve been drinking ginger ale for the nausea. Kind of lying around and sleeping a lot.
Weakness and fatigue
Shaky and dizzy
Sleepy
Confused
Nauseated
The next day I drove to my granddaugter’s program at school and then joined some other Nana’s for lunch with our kiddos. I tried to run errands and then go to work. It was awful. I ended up running a red light, crying like a baby, and then sleeping in a parking lot. Needless to say I haven’t been more than a couple of miles from home since then.
I drove into Tulsa last week to meet Melaine from the website and facebook forums for coffee. It’s funny how a main topic of conversation was about hepatic encephalopathy and our limitations. She no longer drives due to her inability to predict how alert she is to driving conditions. We had a great time, bought some flip flops at Old Navy and then I came straight home and slept.
Alcohol Ablation
The procedure was simple enough. The radiation oncologist comes in and injects ethanol alcohol on the tumor. Tumors come in all shapes and sizes. This one started out kind of round, but after the Tace Procedure, it came back in pieces around the old dead tissue. Usually the ultrasound technologist guides the doctor as he goes in and aims the needle at the tumor. Except now it was now it 2 places – kind of. In other words, they couldn’t see it all.
In cases like this, they move you into a CAT scan machine so that they can get a better view. The contrast dye helps to highlight the tumor. They did a second needle stick so I was under a bit longer than anticipated and can’t help but wonder if that led to a little hangover. BTW – the needle is so small that the pain is minimal and even with my low platelets there was no bruising.
I really don’t remember the ride to my room, but my brother Mike and I were discussing dinner options. I had been without food or drink so I called Olive Garden and ordered the child’s menu of pasta with grapes, salad, and bread. (hold the salt on the bread and no croutons or pickled peppers on the salad – makes it lower sodium) After eating half of that, I was up and ready for a walk.
Let me tell you, I was moving like the wind down the hospital halls. I felt like a million bucks! The words flowed out of my mouth like a Maserati around a racetrack. I felt so clear headed and strong! I pulled an April Fool’s joke on the nurse and told her I’d had a transplant. It was like amateur stand up comedy night delivered by a lady on morphine in a peek-a-boo gown.
I spilled water in the bed. I was up and down getting food. I was messing with my bags. The nurse gave me a .25 mg Xanax. She made me take the whole thing. I was down within 20 minutes. They made me spend the night.
The next morning Mike took me home with him for “observation.” I was still giddy and he did not trust me to stay down. I was insistent that I was going to teach yoga the next day. Nix that. I slept. I did stay home for 2 days before I ventured out. My decision making skills were still not the greatest.
The whole point of this rambling story is that when you have medication with end stage liver disease it is not easy for you to filter it. I think that stuff just circulates in our body and brain for days. I have tried a few things to try and get my body cleared out again.
Drink lots of water
Walk as much as possible
Do easy baby yoga poses
I have NOT used pain meds because I was afraid it would extend the hangover. It’s not such a bad deal. We are keeping the tumor small and I’m waiting for a transplant! (I got it 4 days after posting this)
On my way to the school yesterday, I stopped by this wholesale closeout store. Sometimes they have outdated protein bars at a discount. What I found instead was a mini trampoline! It’s a little scuffed and I may have to trick it out with some fancy duck tape. So I’m in those funky pajamas of mine making youtube videos today. I’ve laughed so hard that my ribs hurt. I’m going to post that video before I fully wake up from this hangover with cirrhosis from ablation. Who says life can’t be fun – even with liver disease and cancer? See the youtube. OML
I love my besties. Xo Karen:)
11 thoughts on “Hangover with Cirrhosis after Ablation”
Love this Blog. You are so fun and probably funnier on all the stuff they pumped into you. I am praying your next visit is the big one…you need the tumor gone! I am praying that I am thankful I am alone today, as I take news better when I am alone. Of course, there is no news, just scary information. Your blog has put me at ease. I am tiny too and type O positive. Hard to get. I am with Kaiser that works with UCSF Medical Center. They are wonderful. This was and is not something that was on my mind at all. I have been having ultra sounds every 6 months. But, my body keeps disagreeing with the tests and does just what it wants to do. I will message you when I go for the Ultra Sound and then with the results. I am going to lift up the covers, sleep for an hour and then get up and zoom through the house cleaning to the opera, Carmen. My way to not deal, but deal with my run away mind. Love you to death. Thanks for the great post. Full of hope, love, and fun!
Shelia,
So we’d be trying for the same liver if you lived in Oklahoma or Texas! I have a dear friend who transplanted there. He has done wonderful! It is a miracle what they’ve done for him.
Ya know, we just have to roll with the symptoms. Just when we think we can count on something, it changes. I can usually eat 1/2 burger with onions and last night I was pretty ucky feeling. You and I would get along just fine. I like Muse or Barbra Streisand when I’m cleaning! haha! We would get a lot done together for sure.
Double the love and double the fun,
xo Karen:)
Yay Karen! You’re still going strong. God bless you friend. You are still in my prayers. I hope that liver gets here soon.
Joel,
Hahaha! Still plugging away. I have always said that the liver loving diet and a positive outlook are the best ways to win the fight against liver disease. We are BOTH still going strong. xo Karen:)
Karen as always love your blogs Grace Warrior …
Hay girl,
I always look forward to your comments. Someone asked me why I consider it a battle? Or why the term Warrior? I told them that I like the idea of training, using every weapon at our disposal, ninja stealth, and victory.
It’s even better when you added the word Grace. Yeah. Grace Warrior. That we are!
Love you,
xo Karen”)
Hey there! Great post! I am laughing at the thought of you up and down in the hospital, messing with your bags, spilling things. It sounds just like me when I had back surgery last year. My poor son, he did not know what to do with me. I was all over the place. He was calling out for back up. His Mom was acting crazy. I was also messing with the IV bags, saying they weren’t working, trying to get out of bed for ice. UGH. I was hoping to forget but he keeps reminding me how silly I was acting.
On a serious note, I am thinking of you, praying for you, Love you, Dee
Dee Ernst recently posted…Hangover with Cirrhosis after Ablation
Oh dear…you are such inspiration! I read this, this morning, and smiled…because like you, when I am facing life’s bumps in the road, I find a way to turn them into a fun ride like on a roller coaster! The bumps become a fun way to “move on down the road”. Love you girl! Keep up the pace.
Emma
Emma,
Love you girl. For sure it’s been a crazy ride this last 2 weeks. We just keep bumping along, don’t we? haha. You’ve simply got to laugh and have some fun with it. Right?
I sure love you,
xo Karen:)
Love to read your blog. Right now you are receiving your new liver. Been thinking and keeping in touch all day. Love you my sister!
Hello Deborah, thank you so much for writing to Karen, she will be so happy to see all of the people who have written to her during this time.
I just heard from her husband, all is well, the surgeon said she did really well. I am so happy for her.
Comments are closed.