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Liver Biopsy and I've Missed You All
Hello Friends!
This will be posted on both the Medical Community as well as the Social Support, as medical discussion and support is being sought.
A long break has been taken from here, and for that I apologize. A lot has been on my mind, and well... I just needed to take some time to enjoy life before deciding on what to do... My stats are in my profile. (For those not remembering me.) My hepatologist typically treats a 2b WITHOUT a biopsy. (??!!) I said, "No". Originally I considered waiting to have my biopsy taken at the end of this summer (as some of you may remember). Because of my reluctance in starting treatment, and expressing my desire to wait a few years, he ordered a biopsy.
The liver biopsy wasn’t as big of a deal as I anticipated. It was ultrasound guided. A light sedation was given. (I don’t know what it was, I was totally awake but RELAXED!). Actually the shot given to numb the area hurt more than the procedure itself. Tiny slivers from three different areas of the liver were remove. (Why? I don't know.) That just felt like a dull pressure.
I asked that the results be faxed but instead the nurse practitioner emailed me with this:
NURSE PRACTITIONER: "Dr. **** advises your biopsy results will be discussed with you in detail during your March 28th appointment. Briefly, I can state this: Stage 0-1 minimal scarring (no significant fibrosis) w/Grade 1. Feel free to call me after 3:30 on Monday. And, in answer to your question, yes, he still would like to discuss treatment."
Does this make sense?
I hope all my friends here are doing as well as can be expected. Each of you have continued to be in my thoughts!
~Anwaar
This will be posted on both the Medical Community as well as the Social Support, as medical discussion and support is being sought.
A long break has been taken from here, and for that I apologize. A lot has been on my mind, and well... I just needed to take some time to enjoy life before deciding on what to do... My stats are in my profile. (For those not remembering me.) My hepatologist typically treats a 2b WITHOUT a biopsy. (??!!) I said, "No". Originally I considered waiting to have my biopsy taken at the end of this summer (as some of you may remember). Because of my reluctance in starting treatment, and expressing my desire to wait a few years, he ordered a biopsy.
The liver biopsy wasn’t as big of a deal as I anticipated. It was ultrasound guided. A light sedation was given. (I don’t know what it was, I was totally awake but RELAXED!). Actually the shot given to numb the area hurt more than the procedure itself. Tiny slivers from three different areas of the liver were remove. (Why? I don't know.) That just felt like a dull pressure.
I asked that the results be faxed but instead the nurse practitioner emailed me with this:
NURSE PRACTITIONER: "Dr. **** advises your biopsy results will be discussed with you in detail during your March 28th appointment. Briefly, I can state this: Stage 0-1 minimal scarring (no significant fibrosis) w/Grade 1. Feel free to call me after 3:30 on Monday. And, in answer to your question, yes, he still would like to discuss treatment."
Does this make sense?
I hope all my friends here are doing as well as can be expected. Each of you have continued to be in my thoughts!
~Anwaar
Well you couldn't have done much better on that test no matter how hard you studied! Great results - boy oh boy just wonderful news!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Okay ladies!!! Thanks....
I'm continuing to learn. Taking everything into consideration, and looking forward to seeing the liver specialist on the 28th of this month. The decision is not 100 % made. However, at the moment, I'm considering putting treatment on the back burner. Perhaps waiting for geno 2 PI European studies... see how that pans out. Also there is the Accelerate study to consider - the 16 v 24 weeks. There's heaps of good information here as well. If I were the anxious type and freaked about the virus, I'm sure I'd just jump into treatment and get it over with, and set my mind at ease. However, I'm feeling pretty relaxed after the biopsy. I'll see what the specialist has to say, at the end of the month, and will hopefully be able to explore treatment decisions in four or five years.... but I will keep you posted.
I'm continuing to learn. Taking everything into consideration, and looking forward to seeing the liver specialist on the 28th of this month. The decision is not 100 % made. However, at the moment, I'm considering putting treatment on the back burner. Perhaps waiting for geno 2 PI European studies... see how that pans out. Also there is the Accelerate study to consider - the 16 v 24 weeks. There's heaps of good information here as well. If I were the anxious type and freaked about the virus, I'm sure I'd just jump into treatment and get it over with, and set my mind at ease. However, I'm feeling pretty relaxed after the biopsy. I'll see what the specialist has to say, at the end of the month, and will hopefully be able to explore treatment decisions in four or five years.... but I will keep you posted.
Your bx looks pretty good..no rush for you. But I wish you the best of luck in your decision, and it IS a big decision. After you finish weighing the pros & cons, I'm sure the right choice will come to you.
-E
-E
Thanks Elaine,
Although, I believe my mind is made up to take the watchful wait approach, I'm not one hundred percent sure. I will take everyone's views and consider them between now and my March 28th appointment with the hepatologist, and of course, will take his suggestions/recommendations into consideration. I'm feeling pretty calm and the anxiousness of diagnosis has subsided with the biopsy result. I know there is no emergency and there will be time to make a decision that I can feel comfortable with. It is a shame we have this virus and getting to know one another under these circumstances. I'd taken a few weeks break from here, and was looking for you when I got back! And here you are! I appreciate your support, Elaine, and hope you and your son are well.
~Anwaar
Although, I believe my mind is made up to take the watchful wait approach, I'm not one hundred percent sure. I will take everyone's views and consider them between now and my March 28th appointment with the hepatologist, and of course, will take his suggestions/recommendations into consideration. I'm feeling pretty calm and the anxiousness of diagnosis has subsided with the biopsy result. I know there is no emergency and there will be time to make a decision that I can feel comfortable with. It is a shame we have this virus and getting to know one another under these circumstances. I'd taken a few weeks break from here, and was looking for you when I got back! And here you are! I appreciate your support, Elaine, and hope you and your son are well.
~Anwaar
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