Gosh! It's hard to get back to blogging after being away for such a long time. Friends and relatives have asked what's happened to me.
Well... June through mid July was horrific with the bathroom renovations for mom. Wow! I would never recommend this contractor. So much went wrong although most was resolved as best as could be and then we've had to fix things on our own because we don't trust some of the people who works for this contractor. And yes, he's had good Yelp reviews which makes me doubt Yelp.
The day after that was over we were in Chicago to see our son, Keola and family who were coming in from South Asia where they are working. Our daughter and her family hosted all of us and it was such a happy time after the exhaustion and stress of the renovation.
We returned in August and worked on doing last minutes fixes on the renovation which we preferred doing ourselves.
Then a dark redness formed. After a week it turned larger and then purple. It itched (even in the area surrounding the redness), but differently from mosquito bites that I'm used to.
A couple of days later, I started to feel extremely tired and was feverish in the early evening. I started to get night sweats.
I went to Tripler Hospital to see the doctor (not my regular doctor) that was scheduled about numbness under my toes that I was worried could be caused by diabetes. I mentioned how I was not feeling well and showed her the bite and told her about my elevated temperature. However, it was only 99 that morning so she discounted it.
Well... the fevers in the evening and exhaustion continued so I sent a message to my regular doctor a week later. He sent me in immediately to be tested for a ton of things. It seemed like a lot of blood that was taken.
All kinds on results started coming in slowly. And then my doctor called me unexpectedly a week later this past Friday and said he was alarmed that my liver function was so bad and wanted me to get back to the lab to take more blood.
I did and was very happy that much had improved.
But then I saw this.
Seriously? I have Hepatitis A. Seriously? Why??? I was vaccinated in 2006. I've also been vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
I'm told to expect a call from him today. Sigh...
I still tire easily and not up to full strength. But good grief!
Seriously?
POSTSCRIPT 1: Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause liver inflammation and affect your liver's ability to function.
You're most likely to get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with a person or object that's infected. Mild cases of hepatitis A don't require treatment. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Practicing good hygiene, including washing hands frequently, can prevent the spread of the virus. The hepatitis A vaccine can protect against hepatitis A. (Mayo Clinic)
POSTSCRIPT 2: OK, I talked to my doctor. He says the rest of that Abnormal Hep A results (that I can't see) was probably due to my previous Hep A vaccine. He thinks I probably don't have it. Probably. However, he's still very concerned about my abnormal liver so he wants me back at the hospital for a liver scan at Radiology and then more blood tests. Sigh...
I'm feeling drained.
Was all this caused by the bug bite? Keep us posted. Hoping that you regain your health and energy.
ReplyDeleteI really doubt it was from the bug. My doctor thought it was malaria at first and tested me for that, until he saw my liver problem. I think that's when he decided to do the Hep A test. I'm expecting his call in about a half hour.
DeleteI have never had a really good experience with a contractor either when it comes to home remodeling and I think it is mostly due to me being pretty particular about the results. I suspect that those who leave reviews aren't as particular as I am. Perhaps that is the case here too. Like you, I end up redoing things I paid others to do or just doing them myself to start with.
ReplyDeleteI got vaccinated for Hep A and B back in the early 90's because both of my parents were first responders in our rural community which put them at risk for exposure. I wonder if those need to be updated like other vaccines?
Art wants me to ask our doctor if he should get re-vaccinated with the Hep A vaccine since he got his before I did.
DeleteOh my. You have had quite the time. I'm glad you checked in, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm still wrestling with our eavestrough. They did what looked like good work, but it wasn't angled enough. Welcome back!
Oh darn! I definitely know what you're going through. We came back to a leak in both sinks. Our retired plumber friend came over and fixed it because we don't trust the contractor's plumber.
DeleteYikes. Hopefully now that you have a diagnosis next steps will become clear. I hate hearing stories of docs "discounting" a patient's report. Some people are not in the best profession for their personalities.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes.
Ceci
Thank you, Ceci. Sigh... There's not much you can do for Hep A but let it run its course. Sigh.
DeleteSuch bad luck, Kay. I hope it can be sorted quickly. Little bugs can cause such BIG problems.
ReplyDeleteYou've had a tough time . I hope things get resolved quickly for you. So work on getting well. The blog will live. don't beat yourself up about not blogging.
ReplyDeleteDid the mosquito bite cause hepatitis? I've never had hepatitis vaccine. Didn't even know it was "thing" to do. Sure hope there is help for this and the liver function can be healed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was the bug that caused it. My doctor initially thought I might have malaria but I told him I wasn't anywhere near malaria was present. But with the liver problem, he must have run the Hepatitis test, just in case.
DeleteI'm so sorry about the illness, whatever it was. Did they ever figure it out? I've been wondering about you but knew that you were taking a blog break. That's awful that it's been full of stress for you. :(
ReplyDeleteGlad to find you here, even with the nasty bug news. I will look forward to more of the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking in with us Kay because you know we do care about you. I hope you are feeling much better soon. So sorry about the renovation nightmare! Aloha from townside
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThank you, De. Still tired, but getting better too slowly.
DeleteSo how did you get Hepatitis and now that you are diagnosed, is treatment helping?
ReplyDeleteWe worry about you.
Thank you, Linda. I'm waiting for my doctor to call in a half hour. There is actually no treatment for this from what I've read. I can't believe I got this even though I was vaccinated in 2006. Thank you for caring, Linda.
DeleteYikes! Hope things are back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you back, though this is not the happiest of returns. I hope all the medical issues are soon sorted.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I had a feeling that you were going through some rough times but I was so glad to see you posting again! Renovations are the pits - but my non contractor handyman and jack of all trades did a great job turning my living quarters into exactly what I wanted. I am loving it and the space is entirely for my arts and crafts - no place for guest to sit, dine, or talk story. Just for me and my organized clutter.
ReplyDeleteThat insect bite sounds crazy. At first I thought maybe it was Lyme disease from a tick but then maybe it was Dengue fever (which some people have here). Boost your immune system! We want you stress free and well so we can enjoy "hearing" from you!
My regular doctor did wonder if I had malaria at first. I'm not looking forward to more testing. Sigh...
DeleteIt is surprising the route the bug bite took but a blessing in disguise. I hope it is what your doctor thinks and the liver function turn out to be nothing major.
ReplyDeleteHope it all gets sorted out. That's too many things to worry about! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, but you're having a time of it! I will be anxious to hear what is going on. I'm sorry you're feeling poorly.
ReplyDeleteGoodness! I hope they get to the bottom of it soon. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are dealing with all this. I am a person who swells horribly from mosquito bites. I had a number of them at once a few weekends ago and was physically ill with them. A few years ago I had gotten several and one had turned into a staff infection (and no, I don't itch - I use every over the counter method available and pop the Benadryl). In my experience bug bites are nothing to trifle with. But Liver, that is a biggie and they need to solve that mystery quickly!
ReplyDeleteKay, sure hope you're feeling better soon... and they figure out what's causing the abnormal liver bloodwork. I've heard bugs (mosquitoes, ticks, etc.) can cause problems that involve the liver, but I'm sure your doctor has checked for those. Take care of yourself and keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to learn about all your troubles. I wonder if it was some kind of spider that bit you. I am beyond happy that you have such good health care, though. Sending you lots of love, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness me! Hope you’re feeling a little better, Kay! Praying that your reports turn normal soon, and you get back your strength quickly. Do take care. ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Asha. I'm still tire easily but I feel like it's getting better every day.
Deleteawwww, it is so difficult to go through all of this but stick with it. it doesn't seem like you have a definitive answer now and you deserve to have one. because of the timing, it sure seems like it has something to do with that bug bite. i hope you feel more like yourself soon!!
ReplyDeleteCheck for Dengue. Dengue is an arboviral disease of significant burden in tropical countries. It commonly affects the liver, ranging in presentation from asymptomatic transaminitis to acute liver failure.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Dengue? Yikes! I'll see what happens after the liver scan and next blood test they do. Still waiting for Tripler to call me. Oh gosh! We have 5 cases on Oahu this year and it's carried by mosquitoes. Dang!
DeleteOatmeal is supposed to be good for the liver. Hope you are much better! The stress of the renovation can cause a lot of health issues.
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Sigh… my doctor is also very concerned about my low sodium and chloride numbers. Sigh… sigh… I’m going to buy some ume or li hing moi or something.
Delete