I went for my normal routine check up to the hospital 2 months ago. My doc told me everything was fine until he came across some info in my file.
He said to himself" Heh! wat's this" It can't be... it must be some mistake somewhere. I asked him "Wat is it doctor?" And he said "there is something wrong with your blood results" - it read ALFA FETO PROTEIN level was higher compared to the required normal readings. Its actually a tumor marker which helps in diagnosing certain cancers of the LIVER.
That was it....my heart sank and I knew my chances of survival is very slim. People diagnosed with liver cancer only live up to less than a year. My doctor told me that he has to do the CT scan of my liver, lungs, stomach, womb, ovries etc. Immediately they set an earlier date for CT Scan.
Before the scheduled CT scan date I had another appointment with my gynae...and that lady gave me tons of shelling for not keeping up with appointments. She too scrolled thru my file and read the results of an earlier blood test. She told me that there are lots of things happening inside me that I am not aware of.....and that I have taken things lightly by not keeping up with appointments .... (I PREFER MEN DOCTORS COZ THEY ARE MUCH MORE GENTLE AND POLITE COMPARED TO LADY DOCTORS)😡
She asked me the following questions - If there is a....
1. Loss of appetite
2. Loss of weight
3. Discharge of any form of mucus/ blood
4. Decolouration of urine or stool
5. Lethargic
6. Fever
7. Nausea / headaches / dizziness etc
8. Lymph Nodes (she checked around my neck and groin areas...no sign of it)
I told her I had none of the above...
She immediately made me to go for another blood test before the CT SCAN. Of course her unpleasant approach didn't stop me from asking further questions. Before going to see her I had done my homework on knowing more abt liver, its functions and the possible liver diseases. I know its the vital and largest organ which aids in the digestion and removal of waste products and worn out cells from the blood....I also know of the various diseases that can damage the liver and bring an untimely death too.
I was told to meet the gasterology doctor once the blood /CT Scan results were out - and a date was fixed.
In the meantime I was going thru so much of emotional stress and was almost facing a breakdown. I then slowly made myself strong by coming into IF FORUM and carried on with my usual rattlings...but always cry myself to sleep. I even heard Nair Bhaiya once sobbing early one morning abt 3am saying to the Almighty "Pls do not let me lose her" I just kept still and bit my lips not to let a sound escape from my mouth coz I was crying myself too. Throughout my married life I have never seen him this upset but in front of me he carries on his usual self like as though nothing was wrong.
My son was so upset and was calling up his best buddy and breaking down in his room. My daughter was often seen with her Acha secretly crying on his shoulders and her dear Acha calming her down...but they did not know that I have been a silent observer. All of them never uttered a word abt Liver Cancer but carried on life as per usual and so did I. They were all very good actors..!!😉
I went to see the gastro doc and they told me that this time my blood readings were normal and there was nothing wrong with my liver and they will put an hold to a liver biopsy for the time being. I was told to do another blood test at a Pathlab which is then sent to Australia for further investigations. I was to call the pathologist dept on 23/06/10 to see if the results have arrived from Aust. I decided to call yesterday (22/06/10) and the girl at the other end of the line read out my details and told me that it was NEGATIVE..!! Isn't this the best piece of news for me that too on my birthday??? We collected the result in the afternoon.
After that everyone was in a celebrations mood all evening and when Atina called me we had just returned home after having dinner at a chinese restaurant. Everyone was in the midst of hugging and kissing the birthday girl. There was a cake cutting surprise followed by flowers and gifts - a pearl neckless and a pair of bangles from my family...but to be frank with you my dear frens my best birthday gift was from God - a gift of life..!!🤗
I want to see my children married off and I do want to play the doting grandma to my then adorable grandchildren... is this too much to ask for as a Birthday Gift???😳