On March 28, my husband and son took me to the emergency room with what I knew was serious internal pain (I ruptured my spleen at age 16 and had a ruptured ovarian cyst at 20, so I recognized the similarities immediately). Pretty quickly, they did an ultrasound and told me they were going to remove my gall bladder, which they did the next day. But the laproscopic surgery didn't go as expected because when they removed my gall bladder, they discovered my liver was "impressive" (that's doctor code for horrifying). I had three lesions, one of which was large and filled with fluid.
I spent the next two and a half weeks in the hospital receiving amazing care from nurses who kept me comfortable and calm, having X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other tests while five doctors (my GP, an infectious disease doctor, a GI doctor, a pulmonologist and, late in the process, an oncologist whose necessity terrified me) tried to figure out what to do about this rare condition.
Eventually, they biopsied two of the "lesions" (aka tumors), tried to drain the large one, and discovered they were benign. We all hoped the large benign tumor would shrink, along with my liver, so that I'd stop having symptoms (fever, vomiting, intense pain, etc.). One day shy of three weeks in the hospital, they released me. Even though the liver was still swollen, all my blood counts and other labs were healthy and it seemed time would have to work its magic.
I've been home a little more than two weeks now and things have improved slightly. The tumor's still huge (I've continued to have X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds), I still have some symptoms, and I'm generally exhausted. On the other hand, I'm home. For an hour or two (longer on some days), I'm able to get out of the house (my amazing husband's the chauffeur since I can't drive yet) and feel the sun and air and life around me.
On Monday, we go to an oncologist who specializes in livers; even though my tumor is benign we're optimistic that he'll be able to direct us to some options other than: wait until it shrinks on its own or embolize it so it can't bleed again or resection the liver. We'll see.
Meanwhile, I've been watching "Gilmore Girls" and keeping up with the latest news (the SherPas leaving) through Michael Ausiello's two blogs, but it's no longer an obsession. It's taken it's rightful place in my life as a TV show.
And since "Gilmore Girls" is a show about family, perhaps I've just taken its message to heart, because right now my only obsession is spending as much time with my family as possible while I (fingers crossed) get better.
I hope you are doing well, i've suffered from ruptured ovarian cysts in the past but and and other problems in the ovaries. The best thing to do is to go to the doctors regularly.
Posted by: Anne | December 11, 2007 at 04:13 PM
please let us know how you're doing.
Posted by: kris | June 06, 2006 at 09:44 PM
hope you're feeling better now. (((huggs)))
I've been AWOL myself with Lyme disease (and some other health problems), and it just sucks to be sick for a long period of time.
best wishes
Posted by: rachel | May 28, 2006 at 01:08 PM
wow julie- i'm so sorry you've been having such a hard time- how are you feeling now?
Posted by: angel | May 22, 2006 at 04:14 PM
I just today stumbled on this website while searching for Gilmore Girls things on Google (in fact, I was searching for my own website, seeing how easy/hard it was to find). I hope you get better. And watching your favourite TV shows is the best way to do it. :) If ever you need to get your GG fix, my website is www.gilmorememories.com
Posted by: Elise | May 17, 2006 at 03:17 PM
Thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear such news, get better soon and blessings to you and your family.
Posted by: EmilyRoseJewel | May 16, 2006 at 10:26 PM
Julie, how frightening. I'm glad that you are back home, and I look forward to an update. I will be thinking of you.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | May 16, 2006 at 11:33 AM
What a terrible experience. I am glad to hear you are on the mend and getting what sounds like great, great, great care.
Posted by: Kate Baggott | May 13, 2006 at 04:31 AM
I hope you will get better soon! My thoughts are with you!
Posted by: margie | May 12, 2006 at 10:41 PM
I knew about the gallbladder but I didn't know about everything else. Big hugs to you and your family and I hope things get better for you soon!
And you're absolutely right about GG, sometimes I realize how emotionally invested I am in a television show and how that can't be healthy. I'm getting ready to go on vacation for two weeks and I'm hoping the time away from the computer and TV will do me good.
Posted by: Lauren | May 12, 2006 at 12:16 AM
I am so happy to see you post!!! I had a bad feeling something was wrong because you weren't answering emails with lightning speed like you usually do. Lots of love, hugs, and get well wishes. Hope your appointment this week brought helpful and reassuring news.
Posted by: Hsien Lei | May 11, 2006 at 08:30 AM
Yes, yes, yes, you will get better. So glad to see a post!! Prayers and hugs x 1,000,000.
Kris
Posted by: Kris | May 10, 2006 at 11:31 PM
Yes, definitely get better! Rest and recuperate and we'll see you when you return.
Posted by: Ashley | May 10, 2006 at 07:14 PM
Oh I just watched an episode of GG that was so shocking. Can you believe Loralie!?
An, but how I love Christopher...
Posted by: krista | May 09, 2006 at 11:10 PM
How scary!!! I'll be keeping you in my prayers.
Posted by: Kym | May 07, 2006 at 12:19 PM
I'm saying a prayer for you!
Posted by: surcie | May 06, 2006 at 03:17 PM
I hope you feel better soon -- sounds like a lot of no fun.
Posted by: liz | May 06, 2006 at 12:05 PM
My gosh, woman, you've been through a ton! I'm so glad to hear you're doing well, and I send every wish that your condition continues to remain on the benign side of things. So glad you've got your guys around you right now.
Posted by: Toni | May 05, 2006 at 02:00 PM
I've been wondering why there haven't been any new posts from you in a while. I'm so sorry that you have been so sick. Speaking from someone who had a stroke at the ripe old age of 24, when your health and life takes a turn in a direction you weren't expecting you tend to look at things differently and put them in a different perspective. Although your show is just a show, keep enjoying it! You should take away from this experience that you should enjoy everything that tickles your fancy and love those around you more than you ever thougt possible. You only live once. Make it fun and make it count. It's good to hear (or read) from you. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Tammy and the Boys < :3 )~~~~ | May 05, 2006 at 09:14 AM
i'm coming in later but send best wishes for a quick and complete recovery
Posted by: barbara | May 05, 2006 at 05:46 AM
I'd wondered where you were. Take good care of yourself. We'll be moving to Florida in July... maybe I'll run into you one day. (I'll run gently so as to not hurt.)
Posted by: Michele | May 04, 2006 at 05:20 PM
hope you get better soon. thanks again for the great links!
Posted by: krista | May 04, 2006 at 04:36 PM
Wow, what an ordeal. I'm glad to hear things are ok though, and I hoep you feel better fast.
Posted by: goofy girl | May 04, 2006 at 03:06 PM
Wow - I'm glad you're ok. I'd wondered where you were and from the sounds of things, you've been very very busy! I'll pray that you recover quickly.
Posted by: Janine | May 04, 2006 at 02:53 PM
I'd been missing your posts. I'm glad you're back and I hope well on the road to recovery. Sadly it does sometimes take crises like this to put life back in perspective.
Posted by: Nancy | May 04, 2006 at 11:30 AM
Julie, it's so good to *hear* your voice again. You've been in my daily thoughts and prayers, and I hope you get good answers from the oncologist. Get very well, very soon! xox
Posted by: Kelly | May 04, 2006 at 10:52 AM