my appointment

with the GI (gastrointestinal) specialist went quite well yesterday.

I got there early as we didn't know how long it would take to drive downtown. Since we had found out that this was just a consultation and parking was $1.75 per half hour, I sent my mom to go shopping (she had seen some thrift stores nearby) and I went upstairs to see the doctor. The new building was beautiful and it has all the various specialty clinics in it and also quite the variety of food/drink services downstairs. I waited for over an hour - which went quite quickly which surprised me! and then Dr. Shaw came to greet me - he was working with Dr. Yoshida and from what I could figure out, he is doing rotations of some sort. So Dr. Shaw did all my history and asked all the "fun" questions - "how often do you have a bowel movement" "Pain associated with these" "consistency of your bowel movement" and more of the same... then he made me lie down and he pushed around on my stomach (flashbacks of the tropical disease specialist - he did the same thing!) and then he went off to talk to Dr. Yoshida.

After about 10 - 15 mins Dr. Yoshida and Dr. Shaw came back into the room and Dr Y said that my case is a very interesting one! OH GREAT!! Apparently I don't have most of the symptoms that many celiacs have - for one, I am not losing weight quickly and wasting away to nothing (As Dr. Y put it) & I don't have the same amount of pain.

But, I do have a postive result on my blood test for celiac. And there is only a 2% occurrence of false positives, so Dr Yoshida doesn't want to ignore that, especially cause untreated celiac can cause very big problems down the road (like cancer). Dr. Yoshida said that it would be basically malpractice on his end to not perform the Esophagastroduodenoscopy or Gastroscopy for short. So, he gave me the FIRST available appointment - March 22, 2007

I can't believe that I am going to have to wait another 2 months, plus once again it is a "fun" time at work - Spring Break VBS but atleast with this appoinment time I can work in the morning with the VBS and take off at about 1pm. I will again have to have my mom come with me because in the pamphlet I got with my appoinment says I won't be allowed to drive for 24 hours!! That means that I will also have to get a ride to work the next day!

Here are some excerpts from the pamphlet about Gastroscopy I was given to prepare me:
What is a Gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is a safe and very valuable diagnostic procedure.

This procedure is performed using an instrument called a gastroscope. The gastroscope is a thin, flexible tube that allows direct visualization of the upper intestinal tract via your mouth (esophagus, stomach and duodenum - this is the first part of the small intestine)

Instruments may be passed through the gastroscope to take tiny painless biopsies (samples of tissue). Polyps(tiny growths) may be removed. Small swallowed objects may be removed. Strictured (narrow) areas may be dilated (stretched).

What Preparation is Required?
For the best possible examination, the stomach must be completely empty. You must not eat or drink anything from midnight the evening before your procedure. (Dr Yoshida told me I can have a clear liquid breakfast - apple juice, jello, water and then NOTHING after 10:30am)

* You will be given sedation to make you sleepy and relaxed. You will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours following the procedure. YOU MUCH have a responsible adult to accompany you home.

* If you do not speak English well, someone who does speak English much come with you.

What to Expect?
* Plan to arrive at VGH's Admitting Department at the time specified (for me this is 2pm)

* Following admission, you will be directed to the GE (Gastroenterolgy) clinic

* Consents are required. If a minor, have a parent or guardian available to sign. (and if I don't want to consent????)

* You will change into a hospital gown (Means - MUST SHAVE LEGS!!)

* Your vital signs will be taken and a intravenous (IV) may be started.

In the procedure room
* Your throat will be sprayed with a local anesthetic (freezing spray) or gargle. This numbs your throat to reduce gagging.

* The procedure will be done with you lying on your left side.

* You may be given medication to help you relax. A plastic mouth guard is placed between your teeth to protect the gastroscope.

* The doctor inserts the gastroscope tip through the mouth guard and gently guides it to the back of your throat. You will be asked to swallow to help the doctor guide the tip down your esophagus.

* The examination does not interfere with breathing or cause choking. Air is introduced, thus you may feel bloated or crampy. This feeling passes quickly after the procedure.

* A gastroscopy normally takes 5 to 15 minutes.

After the Procedure
* You will be requested to rest in the GE Clinic until most of the effects of the medication have worn off.

* Because your throat is frozen, you may have nothing to eat or drink for 2 hours
(after not eating anything since the night before! - this means for me, I will only have had some apple juice since midnight on the Wednesday and my appointment is in the later afternoon (3:15pm) so if we get in on time, I might be allowed to eat by 6pm. So if I have dinner around 6pm the night before, I will go almost 24 hours with out actual food!! Sounds like FUN ~ Not!)

*When your nurse has decided that you are recovered, you will be discharged in the company of your driver. You will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours

At this time you will be given instructions for follow-up.

Results
Your doctor will explain the results at the time of discharge. (Yeah! No more waiting! I will know something at least before I leave the hospital)

I will try to keep you all updated on any progress with this!