The Bowen Knot ⌘: My Health Update

Saturday, January 31, 2015

My Health Update - Dan

Due to a recent surgery that I underwent, all of this has come about!

During the surgery my surgeon noticed that my liver was seriously damaged. It looked just like cirrhosis of the liver. A biopsy was taken and sent out for pathology. While in the hospital recovering my doctor advised me to follow up with my family doctor and a Gastroenterology.

Heather made an appointment for me to see my primary care doctor. We saw him for an appointment and he made the appointment with the Gastroenterology. The Gastroenterology ordered a second biopsy to be completed and he ordered me to have several blood tests to insure I didn't have any strains of Hepatitis or anything. He did a full liver panel. The results came back and he learned I was free of those issues and I drink very little anymore so that was ruled out, as well. Heather and I both felt that the doctor seemed pretty disappointed. He seemed to feel that since I have LOT's of tattoo's I would test positive for Hepatitis C.

Then he noticed my iron levels were very high. At around 875 (normal is around 140) So off I went for some more blood work to test for a genetic disorder. We just got the results and it came back positive. My liver is being damaged by a genetic mutation common to Irish people. I have Hereditary Hemochromatosis. The genetic mutation is known as C282Y. There is an additional mutation for being Northern Irish (H63D.) That one I have seem to avoid. Most of my family comes from Northern Europe (Ireland) so I take that as having some Luck of the Irish. Ha-Ha!

There is no pill to cure this. I have to have blood drawn at a blood center every two weeks until my Iron levels are reduced to safe levels. Then I can donate every 2-3 months for the rest of my life to manage the levels.

I'm really worried about my daughter's Danielle Maria Bowen and Emma Erin Bowen. I hope my ex-wife is reading this blog and contacts me. The girls need to have genetic testing completed to avoid current and future liver damage. In addition, they could be a DNA carrier and pass it along to my future grand children, if they have any. Maria, please email me the girls doctors contact information. Court documents show and the judge said that you have to share this information with me until the girls reach the age of 18. They are still MY DAUGHTER and I LOVE THEM WITH ALL MY HEART! You have my contact information, PLEASE USE IT!

Dan

Update #1: She e-mailed me and still refuses to send me the girls info. Here is my e-mail response:

Here is a link to Our Family's Blog: http://thebowenknot.blogspot.com/. In the blog we address my health and the concerns for the girls. It's a life blog. By the way, we are Moving to Ecuador, next month. Even though I'm moving they are still my daughters and I Love Them With All My Heart. Keeping them from me is so evil, nasty, and wrong. You will face God for your actions, Maria. I will always have a place in my heart and home for the girls. If they every ask, I will be right there. They are part of me!!! Please share the blog with my daughters...it's the right thing to do. Tell the girls I LOVE THEM!!!!

Dan

Update #2: Maria e-mailed us and she has spoken to the girls doctor and she is taking them to a specialist. Thank you, Maria. Please keep in contact with Dan and I. Hopefully, this is the only health concern the girls face. I promise to always keep you up on any concerns that may come up (I pray nothing else.) We do honestly care and want the best for Emma and Danielle. Please e-mail us pictures so we can see how they are growing and changing. Thanks Again, Heather

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About Our Blog

Our blog is about a lot of things. Our daily lives, our move to Ecuador, and the vacations we plan to have. Please read and follow our travels through life. We welcome comments! Making friends along the way would also be great. People have described us as being colorful and animated. Our family looks at a glass and always considers it to be half full. We have an easy going attitude. We think things should get accomplished and that in the process you can still have fun. Feel free to come along on our families journey.

The Bowen Knot - Shamrock Rating System

One Shamrock: This indicates the worst service possible. If awarded, it means we would never EVER use the service again. If it was a food establishment the food was barely editable. This means a complete fail with little to no redeeming features. We will never go there ever again.

Two Shamrocks: This is a service that we might consider using again to give it a second chance. But, the experience that we had would normally cause us to award one shamrock if not for some key redeeming features. If it was a food establishment the food was okay, but still sub-par. We didn't like the food. Serious room for improvement exists.

Three Shamrocks: Normal middle of the road service. We might have had some bad or some good but they were offset somewhat. This is service we would use again but we will look for a better provider. If it was a food establishment the food was good. We like it and will return. There might be room for things to get better but it is still a decent meal.

Four Shamrocks: Great service. This is a definitive repeat for us. We like a lot about the service and recommend it. If it was a food establishment the food was excellent. We liked it a lot. We like the place enough to return frequently. There are very few detractors.

Five Shamrocks: Outstanding service. This is service that treats us above and beyond what we think we deserve. We consider this what we would want to find all the time and what we hope all service providers would want to obtain. If it was a food establishment the food was perfect. No issues whatsoever. We loved it and would eat there everyday.