Beware the Ides of March

As Shakespeare said, "to beware March 15th", Dave says "beware the entire month".  It has been long and difficult trip, starting with belly discomfort that would not go away, everything was up and down after that.  The doctor did lab work and a Ultrasound, and arrived at a diagnosis of diverticulitis.  This started a 2 week session of two strong antibiotics that leave an awful taste in the mouth.  He was feeling pretty good for a few days, but still very tired . 

When he started hurting again he went back to the doctor where they did more lab work, ran a CT Scan and told him he had been very sick and had pancreatits as well as diverticulitis.  Both of which would take time to heal, and he was to stop drinking any alcohol.  So he continued trying to get lots of rest and had some good days that would fool us.  Then wham he would hurt and be exhausted again.  Once again he felt terrible after a few good days so back to the doctor again.  This time looked terrible, pale and a bit yellow .Again lab tests and a new CT scan.  This time the doctor called saying he had a blocked bile duct that needed to be opened. 

Talk about timing.  It is spring break, and Todd's family is in Bakersfield for a family reunion.  And many of the hospital and doctor's staffs are away too.  Eventually that all gets worked out and Kari is able to come up to drive him .  So Friday, the 30th, was the big day.  The doctor sent a scope down his throat and determined that the bile duct was pinched between the pancreas and the gallbladder.  He was able to put a stint in the duct to straighten out the kink, which took care of part of the problem.  While in there, he is able to take a tiny brush like a bottle brush and collect samples to be biopsied.

Now it is April so all the bad stuff is going to be over .  Yes, we are waiting for test results, and they will have to take the stint out in 4 months.  Additionally they going to do an ultrasound from inside his stomach to try and find out why the bile duct kinked.  But  March and the yucky stuff are over (we hope), and we are looking forward to a new month and all the wonders of spring.