When Delay Turned to Urgency
Three months passed before Caleb's trigger moment arrived—a combination of worsening symptoms and undeniable lab results that demanded attention.
Caleb finally repeated his blood work in late fall, nearly four months after the initial abnormal results. His primary care doctor called the same day the results came in. His liver enzymes had climbed higher: ALT now 92, AST 78. His doctor's tone was different this time—more serious, more urgent.
She explained that persistently elevated enzymes suggested ongoing liver inflammation. She ordered additional tests: a Hepatitis C antibody screen, hepatitis B panel, and liver ultrasound. The word 'hepatitis' caught Caleb off guard. He associated that with something serious, something that required real medical attention.
The Hepatitis C antibody came back positive. His doctor explained this meant he'd been exposed to the virus at some point, but they needed a viral load test to confirm active infection. She referred him to a gastroenterologist who specialized in liver disease. Suddenly, this wasn't just confusing numbers on a lab report—it was a diagnosis.
Caleb sat in his car after the appointment, staring at the referral paperwork. He thought about his kids, his retirement plans, the life he'd assumed stretched out predictably ahead. The fatigue he'd been ignoring suddenly felt ominous. The vague abdominal discomfort took on new meaning. He couldn't delay anymore.