More and More tests...

So the initial Endoscopy had shown that everything looked clear at the moment. The feeding tube was inserted thru my nose so I would begin to be re-nutritioned by that for now. For how long I didn't know, but there would be plenty more tests to be done in the following days.
I went thru a Gastric Emptying study 1st. I had done this 1-time before about a month earlier at Evanston hospital, but Northwestern insisted on re-doing this by their staff. So, here I was nauseous and still vomiting daily, and I am asked to eat Radioactive EGGS, yes regular eggs that are mixed with some radioactive chemicals. This is absolutely the worst test to do when nauseous since you then lay flat underneath a machine for 2 straight hours as these radioactive EGGS begin to breakdown in your stomach. This test studies how fast your stomach empties. About an hour into the test, I was so nauseous that my nurse was summoned to come bring some medication. Within minutes, Mandi had appeared loaded with Zofran for me to help the nausea. Thank You Mandi because I made it thru the final hour of the test. Then after it was over, I returned to my room, where the EGGS didn't stay in my stomach long. They ended up in the pinkish basin that was constantly at my side. So much for that test. I would find out the results a few hours later, and the study showed only a slight delay in the emptying. So the next day another new test.
I would begin this day with a Small Bowel follow-through. This examines how things move thru your bowel. For this test, however, a contrast was required. I was in a total panic that I would have to drink the Barium contrast. I couldn't even swallow and tolerate water, let alone Barium. So when it was time to start taking the Barium, in comes my nurse, Mandi again this day, that they would be injecting the Barium thru the tube in my nose so i would be spared the drinking of it. 15 minutes later, Transport arrived to take me down to Radiology for the test. I got down to Radiology and they explained to me the procedure --- They would 1st be injecting the Barium thru the tube, and then would be taking pictures as the Barium moved thru the bowel. They told me depending on how fast or slow it moved, it could take up to about 5 hours. Well, I got lucky, another test that shows everything is OK. The Barium moves thru and I'm back in my #1404 in less than 2 hours. Another day done, CUBS to watch on TV, and about 100 DVD's stock piled in my room to watch on my new mini-DVD player that my parents had gotten me to help pass the time (in addition to the bonus free Wi-Fi in the room).
Tube feedings would continue as the DR's searched for answers and planned the next set of testing...