Jeff's Birthday -- Ultrasound Results
Today is our friend Jeff's 44th birthday!
Happy Birthday, Jeff !
(I'm not sure WHY we have so much trouble remembering this date. But last year it happened during the Rosie trip...)
Marilyn took him for a hike today, then out for drinks and food after. We have presents for him and would like to give them to him together. I guess we'll see how that goes. (She had a bottle for him today and forgot to give it. We also have a walking stick for him.)
I also got the results of my ultrasound today. It was pretty enlightening, really.
I have chronic liver disease.
Often there are no symptoms, however I researched and discovered that symptoms may include: Fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, spider-like blood vessels, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, fluid build up and swelling of the legs (edema) and abdomen (ascites), and mental confusion. I've had almost ALL of those (except the spider-like blood vessels), by the way.
After much discussion, Marilyn and I think the liver disease actually predates my diabetes, which makes a lot of sense. Diabetes doesn't necessarily cause liver disease, nor does liver disease necessarily cause diabetes. It's more a case of both having the same general causes. But apparently lots of diabetics have liver disease or some liver complication.
I'd say my doctor isn't too worried about this, by the way, as when I asked the assistant who called if I needed to come in for a consultation, I was told no. I'm already doing what they would advise, anyway. Losing weight, eating better and exercising. There is no medicine that you can take.
I did read this, however: "Those who drink more than two cups of coffee per day have less scarring or fibrosis of their liver. Adding coffee to the diet is therefore recommended." You know, I've been talking for years about the benefits of coffee!
The interesting thing is that in 2016 I haven't been drinking my usual four or more cups of coffee a day. In fact, I go days and weeks without coffee. I guess it's time to change that! Hahaha.
I should also make sure I get plenty of Vitamin D (a deficiency can result in increased inflammation). Plus Vitamin E can also reduce inflammation. And taking omega-3 fatty acids can prove helpful.
I'd like to know what to do about the pain and the fatigue, which make it difficult for me to exercise at all currently. This has been the case since contracting mono in June. I guess I'll need to power through somehow.
Marilyn came home after her hike and drinks with Jeff. We ate some in the shell peanuts, then had stuffed green peppers for dinner.
We also watched the Olympic volleyball match between the USA and Brazil LIVE using Comcast -- the USA lost, but it was an amazing match! Brazil played a fantastic game.
After that we'd talked about a movie, but I was just too tired. I'd already been napping when Marilyn got home today. So I went to lie down. When I got up she was sound asleep on the sofa in the family room.
There's a lot more I could share, but I'm just too tired tonight. I did talk with both my friends June and my sister Sue today.
And we're in the middle of a heat wave here in Portland, expecting temperatures in the 100's this week. (No!!!!!!!!!) I had planned to go to the eye doctor, but will skip that until it gets cooler.
I hope Jeff had a good birthday!
Stay HEALTHY and HAPPY my dear friends!!!
Happy Birthday, Jeff !
(I'm not sure WHY we have so much trouble remembering this date. But last year it happened during the Rosie trip...)
Marilyn took him for a hike today, then out for drinks and food after. We have presents for him and would like to give them to him together. I guess we'll see how that goes. (She had a bottle for him today and forgot to give it. We also have a walking stick for him.)
I also got the results of my ultrasound today. It was pretty enlightening, really.
I have chronic liver disease.
Often there are no symptoms, however I researched and discovered that symptoms may include: Fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, spider-like blood vessels, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, fluid build up and swelling of the legs (edema) and abdomen (ascites), and mental confusion. I've had almost ALL of those (except the spider-like blood vessels), by the way.
After much discussion, Marilyn and I think the liver disease actually predates my diabetes, which makes a lot of sense. Diabetes doesn't necessarily cause liver disease, nor does liver disease necessarily cause diabetes. It's more a case of both having the same general causes. But apparently lots of diabetics have liver disease or some liver complication.
I'd say my doctor isn't too worried about this, by the way, as when I asked the assistant who called if I needed to come in for a consultation, I was told no. I'm already doing what they would advise, anyway. Losing weight, eating better and exercising. There is no medicine that you can take.
I did read this, however: "Those who drink more than two cups of coffee per day have less scarring or fibrosis of their liver. Adding coffee to the diet is therefore recommended." You know, I've been talking for years about the benefits of coffee!
The interesting thing is that in 2016 I haven't been drinking my usual four or more cups of coffee a day. In fact, I go days and weeks without coffee. I guess it's time to change that! Hahaha.
I should also make sure I get plenty of Vitamin D (a deficiency can result in increased inflammation). Plus Vitamin E can also reduce inflammation. And taking omega-3 fatty acids can prove helpful.
I'd like to know what to do about the pain and the fatigue, which make it difficult for me to exercise at all currently. This has been the case since contracting mono in June. I guess I'll need to power through somehow.
Marilyn came home after her hike and drinks with Jeff. We ate some in the shell peanuts, then had stuffed green peppers for dinner.
We also watched the Olympic volleyball match between the USA and Brazil LIVE using Comcast -- the USA lost, but it was an amazing match! Brazil played a fantastic game.
After that we'd talked about a movie, but I was just too tired. I'd already been napping when Marilyn got home today. So I went to lie down. When I got up she was sound asleep on the sofa in the family room.
There's a lot more I could share, but I'm just too tired tonight. I did talk with both my friends June and my sister Sue today.
And we're in the middle of a heat wave here in Portland, expecting temperatures in the 100's this week. (No!!!!!!!!!) I had planned to go to the eye doctor, but will skip that until it gets cooler.
I hope Jeff had a good birthday!
Stay HEALTHY and HAPPY my dear friends!!!