When your attempt at humor turns into a blessing

I try to put a little humor into all of my posts on here.  In fact, I can only think of two posts that didn't have humor.  (The post about Dad's stroke and the post about the children who died in their schools during an Oklahoma tornado) Other than that, I try to get a laugh.

My recent post about my biopsy was no exception.  I used the fact that I wouldn't be able to be put into the good attendance drawing for free stuff as my laugh.  That turned into a blessing, but I'll get to that in a minute.  First an update about my liver.

First of all, I am not having liver issues as a result of alcohol consumption (It was asked...).  In fact, my alcohol consumption is 0.  Never had even a sip of an alcoholic beverage.  (Although, if my Papa Grouch were still here on earth, he would tell you otherwise.  Years ago, someone in my family thought it would be funny to put a beer can in baby me's hand and take a picture of me having a cold one with my Papa.  He used to like to bring that picture out to show people if I ever got too obnoxious.  If I were at my Grandma's, I'd dig it out to share it with you all, too.)
Anyways...

Today, I went back to the Gastroenterologist today to get my biopsy results.  There was good news and neutral news.  I don't think any of the news we got was necessarily bad.  There are three major indicators to diagnosing a patient with PBC and I have two of the three.
1) Elevated Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) - 🗹
2) Pruritus (itching) - 🗹
3) Elevated Alkaline Phosphates - 𝥷

So, because I didn't have all three, he ordered the biopsy.  In simple terms, the biopsy was inconclusive.  Technically all of the tests came back negative.  However, because my AMAs were so high (not a little high; a lot high), he does not want to write the biopsy off as the final answer.  There are a couple of things that could have happened that explain the negative results.  The first is that we caught this so early through blood tests that no significant scarring has occurred to be visible in the biopsy.  The second is that the scarring may only be affecting the bile ducts and the radiologist extracted a sample that did not include bile duct and only liver tissue.  Either of those is still a good thing, because the earlier PBC treatment begins, the better the prognosis for the patient. 

So, instead of a definite diagnosis, we have a tentative diagnosis and a plan for moving forward.  We are going to treat for PBC.  Starting tomorrow, I will have two new prescriptions.  One specifically for the PBC and one for the itching.  (Also, I read this week that the absence of the itching can be an indicator that the liver damage is progressing towards cirrhosis.  Who would have ever thought I'd be thankful for itching?!?)  We will follow the treatment plan for six months, then I will go back for additional bloodwork and follow-up with the GI in April.  He will again look at the AMAs and the Alkaline Phosphates to see if the results make a little more sense, and to see if anything has changed after the medicinal treatment. 

So, overall great news.  We have a definite plan to move forward.  Now onto my blessing. 

I didn't get participate in either of the good attendance drawings last year. Homegirl was sick too much, plus I took off for two funerals, plus I took off when we moved.  Frankly, I am in awe of anyone who makes it through the school year with two or less absences, especially if they can do it while raising kids.  I salute you, teacher-parents!  But I did set a mini goal for myself that this year, I was going to be put into the drawing at least one of the semesters.  Well, I had to take a day early on for the first doctor appt, then the second half-day appt. turned into a full day, then I had to take off two days for the biopsy.  BAM!  Wiped out that 2 day goal in less than six weeks of school.  When I put that in my last blog post, I was looking for an angle to add humor.  What I didn't include in that blog post is that my current computer is a dinosaur desktop 7-8 years old, and it was second hand when we got it all those years ago.  Literally the week I posted about my biopsy, the monitor on the computer completely died.  Like the next day. I didn't include any of that because I wasn't actually trying to focus on the computer issues, just letting everyone know about my scary big needle hospital procedure. (THAT I WAS AWAKE FOR, BY THE WAY!!!) 

But I have some amazing people in my life.  On the morning of the biopsy, when my dad showed up to take me to the hospital, he was suspiciously carrying around this brown paper bag and wouldn't set it down while I was trying to finish getting ready.  (I wasn't running late.  Dad is always early.)  When I finally stopped to pay attention to him, he informs me that there were some people who read my blog, and wanted to do something to make biopsy day a little better.  He then pulls out a brand new laptop!!!  Seriously, God never ceases to amaze me.  Seriously, guys, I was just trying to be FUNNY, because humor is how I deal when I am stressed or scared, or sometimes even angry.  But God used that to let someone else be a blessing!

Look how pretty it is.  Yes, it's RED!!! I spent the whole day after the biopsy laying in bed being a wimp and playing on it.  I am so thankful for the generosity of the people in my life, and can never thank you enough for the gift! 

Thank you all for praying for my health issues.  I appreciate your prayers as we still don't really know what is going on.  Also, pray that the side-effects to these new meds are minimal.  The only one he mentioned is constipation (TMI! Sorry!) and that is from the one for the itching.  He actually mentioned that one of the medications was originally used to treat high cholesterol, so two birds one pill.  Hahaha!! 

Hopefully, I will do better about updating you on the life and times of the Baldwins and it won't be 6 months before I post again.  We'll see...