Category Archives: portal hypertension

TIPS Recanalization Success Story by Clint

Last Monday (November 7th) under general anesthetic, I had a procedure to open up the shunt (or stent) that had subsequently clotted off sometime in the late spring of this year. This shunt is called a Transjugular Intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or “TIPS” for short.  For further information please view the following short video explanation here:  https://cirrhosiscare.ca/tips/

This was the 2nd attempt made to clear the stent, the first one being in late August by Dr. Richard Owen who originally inserted the TIPS in March of 2021.  Utilizing  the skilled expertise of two interventional radiologists last week (Dr. Rahim Samji and Dr. Richard Owen) at the University of Alberta hospital they managed to push aside the clot into the wall of the stent itself and insert a sleeve to open up blood flow.

As explained to me the procedure was deemed risky, and this after the first attempt to clear the clot back in August.   Dr. Owen was unable to move the clot then, so an alternative plan was assembled.  After consulting with his colleagues in radiology to determine how to get through the clot it was then decided the best approach was to re-enter through the jugular vein using a micro puncture needle, guidewires, and a microcatheter.  Another needle was then directed through the abdomen into the liver in a small window between the gall bladder and right lung.

If blood flow is restricted as it was in my case due to the portal vein of my liver being clotted off, then varices will form.  Sometimes these varices will cause major bleeding requiring immediate medical intervention, and in other instances doctors can band them beforehand causing them to slough off to prevent future bleeding episodes.   The stent itself guides blood flow around the liver, not through, thus relieving the size and danger level of the surrounding varices.  When bypassing the liver in this manor, another risk can take place.  Because blood is rerouted around the liver and not through it, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) can sometimes occur.  HE is a deterioration in brain function when the liver is compromised by conditions such as portal hypertension.

Prior to entering the OR last week, both doctors explained the method to me before I signed the consent form. Then I was told that there was actually 2 teams in the OR for my procedure and that one team was comprised of technicians from Bayliss Medical .  Those  technicians  were there for the procedure in the event the doctors decided to use RF technology.  The machine is called an RF puncture machine .  RF technology, is the short version for radio frequency technology.  This method has successfully been used in cardiology since 1985 for heart ablation’s of various kinds.  The machine can actually can burn through a clot if necessary and might have worked In my case for the clot. As it turns out the method wasn’t used because when they were able to get to the clot, push it to the side of the stent, and insert a sleeve.  RF technology for clotting in this region has been only used in only a few cases to date, but that may increase with time.

After all is said and done, I’m still grateful to have survived another medical ordeal.  Under observation I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights, and came home on Thursday.  Except for some mild tenderness in the liver region, and around the 2 entry points, I feel great for which I am thankful.  

I would be remiss if I did not mention my sincere gratitude to the many friends and family who faithfully prayed and extended their kind thoughts prior to the procedure.  The peace experienced last Monday before being wheeled into OR was insurmountable and so much so I was giddy about it.  I recognize that God heals, and/or preserves our lives but sometimes chooses otherwise.  In the case of either outcome, I am okay with that. This I can say now after living with this strange condition just over 20 years now.  Never wanting this condition to define me, one just has keep to going. Taking one day at a time, putting one foot in front of the other for as long as the very breath we breathe, is the best objective.

As always your questions or comments or stories are always welcome.

Peace,

Clint

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”  Proverbs 16:24

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.  You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.”  Malachi 4:2

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

*UPDATE* New Non-surgical Procedure for PVT (PVR-TIPS)

PLEASE NOTE:  Since my original post (March 13/20) I would like to reiterate that this relatively new procedure is indeed helping people with the right physical criteria and it not always suitable for everyone.  The results for those who have had the procedure are quite astounding though as you can read from the comments I have received so far.  On my post called “My Portal Hypertension Journey” a friend (Greg) who I met since I started this blog, just posted his own personal success story after suffering for 40 years with the condition.  I have reposted his comments at the end of this post as it was through Dr. Salem and his team that Greg’s condition has been reversed.  October 27/20

With great optimism I share this news with you today.  Dr. Riad Salem at Northwestern University in Chicago Illinois, and a team of over a dozen doctors have recently developed and tested a new non-surgical procedure for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

A few days ago Dr. Salem reached out to me via this blog with the results of the clinical study.   His words below encapsulate this new technique.   

“At Northwestern, we have pioneered a new, non-surgical approach for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis with or without cavernomatous transformation.  It involves creating a new channel in the clotted portal vein, and placing a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stent. We do this using ultrasound and X-ray guidance. Our first series of 61 patients has already been published with excellent success, and many of these patients have gone on to liver transplantation since they had cirrhosis of the liver. We are now performing this on adults without cirrhosis with cavernoma. Some of these patients have varices that have bled. This is a procedure you should be evaluated for if you are considering a Rex shunt or any other interventianal operation since this is a less evasive alternative”.

Contact Information

Riad Salem MD MBA
Professor of Radiology, Medicine and Surgery
Chief, Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Vice-Chairman, Image-Guided Therapy
Department of Radiology
Northwestern University
676 N St Clair, Suite 800
Chicago, IL USA 60611
1-312-695-6371 office

Dr. Salem is glad to answer questions for patients and has asked that you contact him directly at rsalem1@nm.org 

If you have a story to share about your personal journey with portal hypertension or have had the procedure please feel free to post it. 

Addendum comment posted October 26/20 as mentioned above: 

“Thank you, Clint for providing a valuable conduit for information regarding PVT for patients and their families with PVT.

I have had PVT since birth, and as a consequence, have experienced 2 major bleeds from my esophageal varicies when I was in high school. As a lifesaving measure to decompress my esophageal varicies, I had a Splenorenal shunt created to prevent future bleeds. I was blessed to have been put under the care of two distinguished physicians and exemplary individuals: Gastroenterologist, Dr. William Baldus, and surgeon, Dr. Martin Adson, both doctors at the Mayo Clinic.

I began to experience the gradual onset of hepatic encephalopathy in my mid 30’s. As I have aged (now 57) I have had a growing list of health issues tied to PVT. Although I have not had any banding of my varicies done for few years now, I still have esophageal and gastric varicies.

I am writing this entry because I now feel a sense of hope for me and my family. I am grateful to Dr. Riad Salem, another distinguished physician and exemplary person who is an interventional radiologist at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Salem was able to place a stent in and through what was the cavernous transformation of my portal vein and and connect my atrophied liver with an entirely new supply of blood from the nexus of my Inferior vena cava and splenic vein. The initial transformation was very significant, and I continue to do well. It is my understanding that improvement in the symptoms of PVT and hepatic encephalopathy as my body adjusts to this welcome change.


Dr. Salem, his colleagues and staff at Northwestern University are among the best of the best. After surgeons attempted a REX shunt on me at another institution in 1979, albeit unsuccessfully because of the atrophied condition of my liver, I was resigned to the prospect that I would never experience the benefit of an open portal vein. Dr. Salem and his colleagues have helped me and many others realize the many benefits of an open portal vein”.

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward”.  – Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Blood Clots and Travelling: What you should know

AmbulanceAgainstSky-sizedMuch has been written in the past few years concerning blood clots and travelling or the development of  such which are mostly associated with long periods of immobility. For several months I have given much thought about writing a post on the subject, but could never find a specific correlation to Portal Hypertension, except to say that when one has been diagnosed with a clotting disorder, it should heighten awareness for any potential related incidents.   The other reason for writing on this topic, is the fact that I unfortunately learned about an old high school friend that had passed away within the last year from a clot that apparently had developed in his leg, which may have started because he travelled extensively, and for long periods of time.

When I initially began to think about writing an article on this subject, I quickly discovered that many sites and materials had very much the same information throughout.  Because of my association with Clot Connect® (clotconnect.org) based out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina,  and their willingness to allow me to utilize their material on my blog, I am directing you to the following article recently posted on their site which I feel covers the subject extensively and more effectively than I could.

See:  http://www.clotconnect.org/about-clot-connect/news/traveling-what-you-need-to-know-about-blood-clots

Personal Health Update:  Although I still struggle with intermittent pain and fatigue from the meds, there is thankfully a level of stability which I have enjoyed for quite some time now.  Besides bi-monthly iron infusions, I have 2 specialist appointments upcoming this summer, where I hope to get some clarification on some related issues.  One of the issues is a topic for another post, which I hope to report to you in a few short months.  Until then…keep looking up!

 

Non-Cirrhotic Portal Vein Thrombosis Neuropsychological Study

depressed-man-260x300Thanks to a fellow sufferer, friend, and subscriber to this blog I am posting a link for a study that was completed in 2006 on the neuropsychological affects on people with non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis.  Unfortunately my friend was diagnosed with PVT in his late teens and has had 2 major esophageal bleeds, however he like myself has survived many years since his original diagnosis.  He also is in his 50’s.  His condition is intensified by the fact he is now dealing with encephalopathy as his blood flow is bypassing his liver and causing ammonia levels to rise and in turn cause neuropsychological issues.  For the most part he is managing fairly well, with evenings being the worst part of the day for him.

The article is short (click link below), and technical from my point of view, but nonetheless may be helpful for the small percentage of us with non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis.  On a side note, I am fully aware that much of what I write and post on my blog can be overwhelming and depressing, however I want to encourage you that although the medical strides seem minute at best, I have come to realize that intervention, whether it be with medications or surgery (the greater factor being medications), seems to be prolonging the lives of many I am in touch with concerning this condition.  Remember … your questions, comments, or stories regarding your personal journey with portal hypertension (PVT), or that of your loved ones are always welcome.

Click link to view the article:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16557541/

Keep pressing on! 

Clint

 

Clot Connect … Blood Clot Resource par excellence!

clot connectDid you know?

One person is diagnosed with a blood clot every minute.  One person dies from a blood clot every six minutes. (Clot Connect).

If you haven’t yet heard of Clot Connect an online resource for the general condition of clotting, I am pleased to introduce this to you.   Clot Connect is a resource for both patients and healthcare professionals offering up to date information on clotting and support to those suffering with the condition.

I am grateful for permission granted to me to refer to their site, and in turn for them to point back at mine for specific information on portal vein thrombosis and the ongoing condition of portal hypertension.

Clot Connect further defined (as per Clot Connect background)

Clot Connect®(clotconnect.org) is an information and outreach project of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center.  Clot Connect’s mission is to increase knowledge of blood clots, clotting disorders and anticoagulation by providing education and support resources for patients and health care professionals.

Clot Connect emerged in September 2010 from the observation that blood clot survivors face many unique challenges including risks associated with anticoagulant use (blood thinners), the development of post-thrombotic disorders and increased risks for future clots. Blood clot survivors and their families need information and support to manage the effects of a blood clot and to prevent future clots. It was also recognized that health care professionals need easier access to the latest treatment options and scientific research related to the diagnosis, care and management of patients with blood clots and clotting disorders. Additionally, it was known that although blood clots area a common health condition, there exists low public awareness.

 Clot Connect initiatives are targeted at:

  • Persons who have experienced a blood clot
  • Persons at high risk for developing a blood clot
  • Healthcare professionals who treat patient with or at risk for blood clots

To access Clot Connect click here:  http://www.clotconnect.org/

Musings on a New Year

imagesCAXSRNQNAnd I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”– Minnie L. Haskins

Being just a few weeks into another new year, undoubtedly many of us or those we love will face new challenges relating to portal hypertension (PH) and its subsequent side effects.  If you have recently been diagnosed with PH or have lived with the condition for a number of years now, the related stresses of the unknown can be very disconcerting.  On a broader scale but not exactly related, we may also be facing additional anxiety in areas relating to our finances, relationships, or quite possibly we could be suffering the loss of a loved one.  Our world is being stressed also, and on almost a daily basis we hear about the tragic effects of war, famine, severe weather, economic turmoil and human injustice on unparalleled levels.

Although tragedy and stress abound everywhere  by no means would I ever say 2012  was an exception, however all was not “doom and gloom” as you might agree.  Maybe you celebrated the birth of a baby in your family and all the joy that new life brings.  You might also have had the chance to commemorate a graduation,  wedding, anniversary, new job, a restored relationship or maybe you are into the beginnings of a new relationship.   If you have had a breakthrough or a complete restoration on your own health or that of a loved one this too is cause for great celebration.  All of these “milestones” can bring joy in the midst of a world seemingly gone wrong. Looking ahead into this new year, my greatest desire for you is that you are able to enjoy many more happy occasions, but also that you may find true peace at those times when things don’t always seem to go well.

As I have reiterated in prior posts, my intentions in writing this blog have never changed, so I continue to seek out new research, try to  decipher it, and in turn share it with you.  Secondly, and I know this sounds rather redundant, but I want to provide a forum where others can post their own stories.  Since starting this project a few years ago, I have had the privilege of replying to over 700 comments  so I want to thank all those who have contributed in that manner. Those same folks have taught me a lot and have called into question some of the standard treatment protocols, all the while taking into account that each of us are genetically different and we can respond in various manners.  Having said that,  it is important to note that there is a commonality in the overall care of PH patients, and for the most part those include medications such as blood thinners for obvious reasons, and beta blockers to slow the heart rate down.

I can say that I have seen what I would call only minor progression in the treatment of PH, and to date I think it would be safe to surmise that there have been no major breakthroughs except for the evasive measures of the Rex Shunt procedure and other rare surgical interventions in the last decade which seem to work best on younger children.  The fact that the condition is still relatively rare means that not many research dollars are directed to the condition, and another contributing factor is likely due to the face that there is very low media awareness.  Except for raising funds on an individual basis, the challenge to set up and maintain a charity association whereby those that need funds can utilize this resource as need be, seems to be far from reach.  Taking nothing away though from the few I know who have been successful on even a small scale at raising funds to help parents with children, my hat really goes off to you.

 On a personal level I always look for inspiration that I can share with others, or apply to my own life.  I understand the challenges of PH having lived with the condition over a decade now, not to mention a recent associated health scare back in the later part of August 2012.  On another level I also experienced the passing of my own mother in the later part of October.  Mom had not been well for many years, so in many way it is a blessing she no longer has to suffer, however the void is there as I miss her and am constantly reminded of her as I carry on despite this loss.   I have also experienced joy this past year, with our son’s graduation from high school, and many other less significant things which were all cause for celebration.  If you have read some of my posts on this blog, you may have realized, that I have talked about faith being an important part of my life.   Overall I know the peace of God in my life, and with all the setbacks (and ‘yes’ joys) of this last year, I just carry on in faith that He will see me through.  For you the reader, whatever you are going through at this time, I count it a privilege to pray for you, and at the very least offer a listening ear to what you may be facing at this time.

All the best in 2013,

Clint

Click here for prior post:  http://www.portal-hypertension.com/a-personal-medical-update-new-terminology

Personal Medical Update: New Terminology

It’s been a few months now since I was admitted to the hospital (08.26.12) with yet another new blood clot, and this  last time it was discovered in the superior mesenteric vein.  I am happy to report I am doing quite well now, with no pain in the immediate area so it would seem the TPA (thrombolytic therapy) I was administered in the hospital worked to dissolve the clot.  To say I am grateful would be an understatement as the complications from the latest episode could have been quite disastrous from what I learned.

On reading through the discharge summary I received from my family doctor several weeks ago, I have had to go back and research some of the terminology within that report.

 Since the original diagnosis of my condition in 2002, I was told that the homocysteine levels in my blood were high.  At the same time I was tested for all known causes as to why these levels were high, but all the results came back negative and the real cause has never been pinpointed in what one could call “the genetic realm of things”.  The report I received from my doctor stated that I have a history of hyperhomocysteinemia with an elevated factor VIII level.  This has caused hypercoagulability and as a result I have clotting, in the adjoining portal, splenic, and mesenteric veins respectively.    This new clot  settled below the existing clot in the superior mesenteric vein (see diagram below) causing restricted blood flow to my abdominal cavity, which in turn caused the arteries in the bowel to distend explaining the pain I had for 2 weeks prior to being admitted.  To better understand hypercoagulability here is a really good site which I believe explains it well:  http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/hypercoagulable-disorders/

There’s more…

Prior to this latest episode I had been prescribed a drug called Pradax (dabigatran etexilate), which is used to prevent harmful blood clots from forming and normally is prescribed to patients with atrial fibrillation.  New research has shown the overall effectiveness of the drug for other clotting issue to be quite positive.  In my case, its not clear if the drug allowed the new clot to form, because as you know one person can react much differently to medications than another.  I don’t lay blame on the doctor who prescribed it nor the drug itself although for sure it could have played a role in causing the clot, but I was very happy to be on the medication because it was taken orally as opposed to the 7+ years of poking, prodding, bruising, not to mention scarring from all the injections over this period of time.  So while in the hospital,  I was put back on Fragmin (low molecular weight heparin) as being the safest way in treating my clotting condition, and despite the unpleasant side effects of these needles mentioned above,  I am back to injecting myself twice daily.   I have to admit though that I am much more willing now to accept the fact that I have to use Fragmin than ever before as I have virtually been free of any new clotting since being prescribed way back in December of 2004.   Because my homocysteine levels have always been high, I have also been taking Vitamin B75 to help combat this issue from another angle.

When I was discharged I was given the actual report from the CT scan while in the emergency department which revealed the clot, but also accentuated the fact that the varices  in my esophagus were even more engorged than a previous scan I had back in 2009.  The scan also showed that the gallbladder wall was irregular and thickened due to portal hypertension.  While the pain was present for about almost 2 weeks before I went into emergency, it was thought all along by my doctors that it was caused by the gallbladder itself.   In February of this year, I had been having some discomfort just under my right rib cage, and at that time my doctor ordered an ultrasound of the abdomen.  That ultrasound did show gall stones and thickening.  In fact I am still being treated with a drug called Ursodiol which was prescribed last February as a ultrasound I had then revealed gall stones and thickening around the gall bladder itself.   I saw a liver specialist at the end of October for follow-up,  this being the same doctor who in 2006 recommended that surgery was a very dangerous option for me then let alone now.  In 2006 I was being considered for a rare operation called a Multivisceral Transplantation (cluster transplant) that would have included the liver, pancreas, stomach, and small bowel.  The thinking of course is that it would have eliminated the clot in the portal, spleenic, and the original clot to my superior messenteric vein.  At that same time the team of doctors reviewing my case were considering a TIPS procedure, which was ruled out because I was doing so well.  Conclusively any operation would be highly dangerous because of the risk of bleeding, and the possibility to clot is definitely another risk factor to be concerned about.

The regiment of medications and injections have remained a constant for me for several years now as are the frequent required blood testing, and doctors appointments.   Pain, when it comes is quite intense, and thankfully only intermittent at best.  Pain usually is accompanied by an irritable bowel, which can be most inconvenient, especially  if you have to be out anywhere. As with most people with the condition I am on high dosage of nadolol (beta blocker) which is used to keep my heart rate low and hopefully prevent bleeding from the varices.  The current dose I am on causes me to be quite fatigued at times, and in the afternoons I struggle sometimes to stay awake .      As with any chronic health conditions there are challenges, however I feel very blessed that I am still alive, but also that I have access to  good health care in the area where I live.  That being said, I know in many places around the world access to good health care is a real issue,  and I am conscious of that as I continue to write this blog.  In the end I  always hope (and pray) things will improve for those of us with portal hypertension, and that a cure or new treatment will one day be available to everyone, no matter where you live.

In your corner,

Clint

To read a prior update on my condition click here.

Home from the Hospital! Dealing with Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis

Dear Friends:

It’s been a few days since my last update, and I wanted to let you all know that I am now at home “safe and sound” after my week long ordeal at the hospital.  I arrived home here early Friday evening after being directly released from ICU at the University Hospital here in Edmonton.

In my last post I spoke about being treated for the latest clot through a method called TPA which is short for Tissue plasminogen activatorThe treatment is primarily used for stroke or heart patients in the very early stages (up to 4.5 hours) of discovery, and it is often effective, however in my case my hematologist did not even know of another person in the world who had the treatment for the type of clot I developed called mesenteric venous thrombosis.   My hematologist had recommended this procedure to an entire team of specialists at the time, because it was the only thing he thought they could do that would be less evasive then actually cutting me open!  When I asked him if this had ever been used before for this type of thing,  he only said that a young fellow they had admitted a few weeks prior had the procedure done for a clot that had developed on the entrance to his kidneys and that it was successful.  Initially my doctor had wanted a radiologist to insert a catheter directly over the clot location and target the actual clot from there, but that was ruled out as it again entailed opening me up and the risks of course are enormous.

At this point we are not sure if the TPA did what is was supposed to do, because it was administered almost 14 days since the onset of the pain I started having.  I am still dealing with some pain, but I will not know for sure if the treatment has worked until I do follow-up with my hematologist in a few weeks time, and of course if the pain has totally diminished.  At the time I was having pain it was thought that I was dealing with that from the thickening of my gall bladder due to the congestion of arteries from the existing clots, but that was not to be.  This latest clot caused swelling and distention of the bowel, and I was in considerable pain which increased in intensity since its onset a few weeks earlier.  After being admitted to the hospital early last Sunday morning, a CT scan revealed that a new clot had formed just below an existing clot in the mesenteric vein.  Click here for a diagram (black felt marks shows the existing clots I now have).

The danger for anyone having a TPA is that they could develop a clot in the brain, or bleeding, but in my case severe bleeding can occur as TPA is considered a clot buster with strong anti-coagulant properties.  Since my original diagnosis 10 years ago, I have always have been at risk to bleed, but more so now because I have esophogeal varices.

Thanks to many of you who prayed for me while I had the TPA, otherwise who knows what could have happened?   For those who sent emails, posted on my Facebook page, called me on the phone, stopped in to see me personally, brought food to the house, prayed diligently for me, or encouraged me through their words or hugs – I am feel so humbled by all your kindness!  Knowing that so many people from around the world were in the background cheering me on, made me feel special, and I cannot begin to tell you what that means to me.  You are a loved bunch!  Bless you for your faithfulness.  Not only was I blessed by all your love, but it was encouraging to my family that people were cheering me on in the background!

For the last several days I have had some thoughts I feel I need to share with you.  Many of you already know that I am a person of faith, but I have only touched the surface of that reality in prior posts of what that faith actually means to me.  In the past I  have shared with you concerning the peace I have, and that has always been evident, except for the occasional moments (being human) when I did have some pervading fear – even as recently as early last week when I was not sure what would happen to me upon learning about this TPA treatment and how it could affect me.  Last Tuesday, 2 of members of our pastoral team, plus a good friend and former pastor came up to the hospital to pray for me.  I had called them because of the scripture that says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord”.  (James 5:14 After they prayed for me and I myself prayed to have the fear removed that I had within me concerning the unknown, I overwhelmingly sensed “peace” and I can testify to that fact as it was real – all the way through the procedure until this very moment.  Whether or not I was healed at that moment is not known, but I carry on in faith that God goes before me and gives me the peace that I need to endure all obstacles.

Before this latest clotting episode, I have had the following passage  swirling around in my head for many weeks which reads, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).  Allow me to paraphrase this for you from my own personal point of view … The first part of this verse tells us not to lose heart, because we are wasting away (boy do I know this), yet on the inside (not physically but spiritually) I am being renewed day by day.  For our “minute” and momentary (fleeting) troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory (heaven) that outweighs anything on this earth (I love this). Eternity is forever, the here and now is just temporary.  If I/we fix our eyes on only what is seen, we lose sight of all that God wants us to be here on earth, and if we dwell (by God’s grace try to stay true or obedient to His word), we can have live on this earth with an eternal perspective which out does anything the world has to offer.  I know in my own life this order often gets turned around because I don’t always  put God before everything I do, therefore I fail and it keeps me from the beauty of the relationship and the peace that usually prevails which can happen when we trust Him for everything.  One of the main reasons I think about this passage so often is that I do not have perfect health, of which I have never blamed God for, but have always thought it was His way of showing me that I needed to trust Him even through the most difficult times in life.

Lastly, there is one more passage I would like to share with each of you that is one of the most comforting passages I know, and one of many favorites at that.  It is taken from John 14:1-4, and it is where Jesus is comforting his own disciples through these words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”  When you live your life with an illness such as portal hypertension or any other sickness of which the unknown is uncertain, it is comforting to know that when the end comes, full healing will take place because of a decision I made as a young child, to believe in all that Christ Jesus, God’s only son did for me by dying on a cross for my sin.  When I think of this and the sacrifice that was made on my behalf, and the gift of eternal life that was given, it is a tremendous comfort – and in reality it makes life worth living all the more!   As I look to the future, it may not be bright in many respects for me or anyone one of us, however I press on despite the odds!

To read the original story click here:  www.portal-hypertension.com/medical-update-on-portal-hypertension-condition

Medical Update on Portal Hypertension Condition…

Some of you may or may not know that I had been admitted to the University Hospital early Sunday morning with a new clot.  As you know any clot can be dangerous, but this new one is located below an existing clot in my superior mesenteric Vein is most troublesome.  This clot has restricted blood flow to the bowel region, causing it to enlarge and of course pain comes with that.  If collateral arteries do not begin to feed this area of the bowel, it would die and they would have no option but remove this section – and that would be dangerous for me also.  They have me on morphine and they are giving me antibiotics intravenously to stave off any potential infection. The actual terminology of this particular condition is referred to as mesenteric venous thrombosis. To be more precise the severe pain I was having is caused by swelling and distention of the bowels.

I was informed last night by my hematologist that he was going to speak with a team about a procedure commonly used for stroke patients in the early stages.  The procedure is called TPA and is performed in the early stages (usually 1 hour) to break down clots in the brain and also the heart.  For TPA to be used in my case, it is almost unheard of, but the alternatives for me not to go ahead do not look good at all.

The danger for me to have this procedure done, is that I could bleed from the varices in my esophagus or I could potentially bleed in my brain.  See link for details:  www.portal-hypertension.com/esophageal-varices/

The other downside is, even if it works, is that the clot could reappear and I would have to be reassessed for eligibility.  The doctor said I have age on my side (I liked hearing this) and I am relatively doing okay with my current treatment protocol so he feels confident this will work.

Earlier today I really struggled with all of this as I haven’t had much time to digest it all.  Right now I feel much more at peace because of prayers lifted on my behalf.  As I face this procedure sometime today, I am asking you for your prayer support as I believe the more people praying, the better the outcome in the end.

Thank you for your support!

Clint

(Note: After composing this message, 3 pastors from our church came and prayed with me.  I have a tremendous sense of God’s peace over me now and  my very life is in His hands – as it always has been for many years now)

UPDATE: The TPA was postponed by the ICU doctor until 8 am this morning. Apparently he wanted easier access to GI doctors in the event of a bleeding issue, and more of those specialists are available during the day. I was prepped early last evening here in ICU and I am spending the night here.

Post TPA Update: IV is out but I still can’t move around for awhile yet. The pain I have still is milder in the abdomen, and the injection site but they still are giving me morphine to handle it. Dr Ritchie came in an hour ago and said that the clot may or may not still be there as it may have been there too long? The GI was also here earlier and said the truth won’t really be revealed until they take a scan – maybe tomorrow or Saturday. They will monitor me for at least a few more days. Thanks for your prayers!

UPDATE: Released from hospital late Friday August 31, 2012.  TPA went well and there is some residual pain.  Click Here for the Latest Status

Pablo Alvarez … A Courageous Young PVT Survivor Tells His Story

One of the first messages I read this morning was from a young man named Pablo Alvarez who courageously relayed his story on a Facebook site I subscribe to called Portal Vein Thrombosis and Portal Vein Thrombosis in Children and Adults. In reading Pablo’s story this morning I was very moved, and I asked if he would allow me to re-post it on this site for the benefit of others. Pablo, I want to thank you for allowing me to share your story. I pray that God will continue to bless you with good health, and that His favour will rest upon you in every other aspect of your young life.

Without further adieu, here is Pablo’s story in his own words …

Hey guys! My name is Pablo. I was diagnosed with PVT at the early age of 6 months. We lived in Ecuador at the time. I might of not been aware at the moment but I know those had to be some tough times for my family. Doctors in Ecuador were clueless as to what was wrong with me. Some doctors wrongly diagnosed me and ended up doing unnecessary surgeries on me. Money was tight and the many sclerotherapy procedures I had were getting too expensive. Thankfully family pitched in when possible. I remember a sclerotherapy being done one year around my birthday (Feb 14), and in particular not looking forward to that at all, including the many others I had along the way. For all those dreaded occasions my entire family would attend and would take up the whole waiting area – I felt very, very loved and supported. It might of been a tough time for me but having my family there always made me feel better, especially because hospitals in Ecuador in the early 90s looked scary, kind of like wards. As years passed we kept the sclerotherapies going. We saw ourselves in this circle. Yeah the treatment helped me out but where was the solution? They didn’t have any besides taking my spleen out. The gut feeling my Mom had at that time was that this was not the solution for me. Around 1996 my Mom realized she had to do something about this. The internet was the first step to our journey. The first thing she searched for was, “The best hospitals in the United States” and there she found Childrens Hospital in Boston, MA. She knew right away that this was where we had to go. We packed our bags and headed to the states. Leaving my sister behind, we thought we would come back after they had cured me.

We arrived at this Social Workers house. She made the term, “Mi casa es tu casa”, literal! She fed us, gave us beds, transportation, and most importantly made us feel welcomed. We went to Children’s in Boston the next morning. My eyes grew as I walked in. Everything was different about this hospital. The first thing I noticed was the automatic spinning doors! I never saw doors like it before. Next, the “I’m in a cold psycho ward feeling”, didn’t apply to this hospital. It was modern, colorful, and had this feeling of hope that lingered in the air. The doctor in Boston told us that taking my spleen out was absurd! My moms gut was right after all. He had mentioned that at the moment (1997) that the only thing to do is to do more sclerotherapies to keep me stable, until he finds the right surgeon and surgery. The following year we flew in my sister. We new our stay would be a little more lengthy than we had thought. My dad found a job & he started making money, he saved enough so we could get our own apartment. We moved in to an apartment with 2 bedrooms,1 bathroom, a small living room, and a tiny kitchen. It was very small but it was comfortable and it was all we needed at the moment. I started school and had to repeat 1st grade again, seeing my English consisted of “hello” and “where is the bathroom”. I remember being scared the first day, but everyone made me feel welcomed and I made friends in no time. As years passed more sclerotherapies were done and more pills I had to take to keep me stable. I was taking 3pills x2 a day. I became quite the expert at swallowing pills, I got used to it.

The new century was approaching when they had diagnosed me with cataracts. My mom and her grandmother had cataracts, so it was genetic. I got the surgery done at the age of 10. I felt like a pirate going into my 4th grade class after the surgery. Everyone stared but I wasn’t sure what they thought about it. They probably thought I looked like a pirate too. I had it in both eyes so they did each eye individually. After that I was diagnosed with polyps. They scheduled me for surgery to remove them. I remember going in a day before so they could transfer plasma and blood into my system. They didn’t want me to bleed to death when they remove them, seeing my platelet count was very low. It was one of the surgeries we wont ever forget because it almost cost me my life. During the surgery they kept putting more blood and plasma into my system. The blood they kept giving me started filling up my lungs. They took 2 polyps out before they stopped the surgery and took me to intensive care. Where I woke up gasping for air, everything was blurry. I just remember my mom fighting off nurses and doctors to be by my side, like she always has. Her being next to me saying “Breath! Breath!” made me feel better. To be honest, I don’t remember the rest. I remember just going back to sleep. I woke up with my Mom, dad and sister next to me. They didn’t complete the surgery there were 2 more polyps to remove. Couple months passed and they prepped me for surgery again to remove the last 2 polyps. My mom prayed and prayed that those 2 polyps were no longer there. Her faith, that day was unstoppable because the doctor came out and said he couldn’t find them, that they were gone! It was just another sign God was still with us and he was still looking out for my family and I.

It was 2002, my mother had received a call from my GI doctor. He told her he found someone that is performing a new surgery (Rex Shunt Procedure) that had a solution to my PVT. He told her his name was Dr. Riccardo Superina and that he was located in Chicago. We packed our bags and took a road trip to Chicago in Jan of 2003! We stayed in the Ronald McDonald house in Chicago. I remember just thinking that scary clown McDonalds promotes being there while I sleep! The next day we met with Dr. Superina at Children’s Memorial. He explained the surgery and after had a look at me. Made me lay down and feel my spleen and all my insides. It was a regular thing for me; To lie down pull my shirt up and have the doctor apologize in advance if his hands are too cold. He took the measuring tape out and then proceeded to measure my big spleen. We concluded our appointment with Dr. Superina and headed to the city to explore. Of course we were going to take advantage of being in Chicago. We went to the Sears tower and later dined at the Cheesecake Factory for the very first time. My stay at the Ronald McDonald was short seeing I would be spending the rest of the time in the hospital. We met a lovely couple that had a daughter being treated at Memorial as well. Everyone was nice and welcoming there. They even gave us floor seats to a Bulls vs. Clippers game. I never enjoyed watching sports because I could never do any kind of sport. There was always the fear of bleeding to easily. I did in fact enjoy the game though because I was up close and personal to these tall dudes that I had seen in ads on TV. It was January 15, 2003, I woke up to shower at 3am. My nerves were out the roof! We took a Ronald McDonald’s shuttle that took us to Memorial. I felt cold and nervous once I walked into the hospital. My family and I waited in the pre-op for the nurses to take me in. I asked if my mom could be with me until they put me to sleep, and they accepted my request. My mom held my hand while they put me to sleep. She was the last thing the old Pablo saw and felt! I remember waking up, dazed and confused with multiple tubes and wires attached to me. I remember feeling like someone stabbed me multiple times in my stomach. It was a sharp pain that I still remember until this day. I spent 3 days in Intensive Care, those 3 days were vague. My parents would take turns to be with me while one went to get coffee or go back to Ronald McDonald and shower. My sister was there with me the whole time though. She would hold my hand and caress it with her thumb. She was 19 at the time. I remember sitting up for the first time. It felt like all my organs were rearranged they were all moving back to their proper place. Walking was hard the first time, fluid kept dripping from my incision. They moved me to a room, where I met my nurse Erica. She always had a smile on her face. She was my favorite out of all of them. I stayed in the hospital for 8 days. 8 long days for me, it felt like weeks and weeks had gone by. I left the hospital very skinny and pale. Walking the first couple days out was hard, I would get tired quickly. I remember we went to the zoo couple days I got out of the hospital. We were walking to the entrance and an old gypsy looking lady approached us. She said, “You are a sick boy, but I will give you a kiss to make you all better”, She was short so I bent down to her level, her kiss gave me chills. She continued to walk opposite ways from us, couple seconds later I looked back cause I was in disbelieved of what had happened. As I looked back she was not there anymore. No where to be found in fact. It was an empty parking lot and she couldn’t had gone that far. Until this day I don’t know where she went. I just take it God sent an angel to kiss me all better. Our trip to Chicago had come to a conclusion and we felt so blessed and went back home with a new experience to remember forever.

My scars were not looking so good though, They had turned into Keloid. For me it was hard a for a 13 year old to have this ugly scar exposed on my neck. People stared with wonder and some people were brave enough to ask. My response was always, “from surgery”. My scar on my stomach was looking better, though it had a little bit of keloid on the top. As I got into High School it got a lot harder, I had to answer to all these new faces. I got countless stares walking down the halls & I stared at them right back as if they were the one with the flaws. People judged me, yes, but once they got to know it was if the scar was invisible and my personality and qualities over took that role. I have had long term friends say they can’t picture me without the scar and that it gives personality. I took it as a compliment because, I myself felt the same way. My mom contacted a plastic surgeon at Children’s to see what he could do about my keloid. Before I knew it he schedule in me for surgery. He sliced the keloid right off my neck. After he started the steriod treatment on me. It helped to a certain extent until the Keloid came back. It wasnt as bad as before but it was still there.

I kept going back for ultra sounds to see how my shunt was doing! It was all flowing smoothly! My platelet count went up. When I have a cut I don’t bleed as much. It just started to all come together. I got a little break from being in the operating table so many times and started to actually view my life as if I was “normal”. Yes the restrictions were still there, yes the scars were still there, but my view on life was different. We moved to FL going into my junior year of High School. We have family who live here so we decided, why not! We love tropical weather much better anyways.

I until this day I thank God for what he did. How he put all these people in my path at the right time. How he made so many things that would have been impossible, possible. Every little detail in my life I am thankful for. I would not be here without His help and the hard work and sacrifices my family have done for me. I have had one hell of a life and I am only 21 at the moment. I will never get tired of telling this story because people need to know how incredible our God really is.

It might be a rare disease but your not alone! There are people who have stories that might not be the same as yours but its surrounded on the same thing PVT! If you have been just diagnosed or haven’t had the surgery yet, be strong! You have to keep fighting this battle in order to succeed. God will always be there for you, even if you don’t believe! He still loves you, even if you don’t believe! YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS! Just like I did and many of you that are in this group!

If you have any question about my story or have questions of details I did not cover contact my mom! Anita Merchan she will be there for anyone who needs advice or just to simply talk! I am here also if you have any questions or need any advice!

Thank you,
Pablo Alvarez

A Missing Portal Vein?

Prompted by a comment I received a few weeks ago from a great-grandmother in North Carolina concerning her 2 1/2 year old great-granddaughter, I want to bring attention to a rare condition called Abernethy Malformation.

Congenital absence of the portal vein called a portosystemic shunt (aka Abernethy Malformation or liver shunt) causes blood to drain away from the portal system, and in turn the blood bypasses the liver.  In more recent findings however, there is new evidence which seems to point to the portal vein as being so tiny it does not present itself in regular testing Continue reading