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#188557 - 08/20/09 01:59 AM
Waiting is the Hardest
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Member
Registered: 12/14/04
Posts: 724
Loc: Chesapeake, VA
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Well, I am having medical challenges now. I have had symptoms and pain for nearly three months. I will not go into detail, but I would go to google, webmd, etc... and put in my symptoms. The results were always the same and it wasn't good. So I bit the bullet and went to my GP. She examined me and took all kinds of samples and did some tests. Everything came out clean. I remember saying, "Fantastic", then she said, "No, not great! This worries me more." She referred me to a Urologist and a Gastroenterologist.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to my Urologist who happens to be my Gynecologist so he is a Urogynecologist. He did an ultra sound and another surprise, there were several cysts in the left side of my pelvis. Now I have to go to an imaging center and get the 3D ultra sound in mid September. He wanted me to wait that long to see if the cysts shrink on there own. In the meantime, he had me do a blood test to check for Ovarian cancer. I said how could that be, you removed them a few years ago? I did not know this, but one can still get Ovarian cancer even after a hysterectomy. Apparently there are little cells leftover that can become cancerous. Anyway, the test came back negative thank God.
Now on to the Gastroenterologist and guess what? I have to have a colonoscopy on the 2nd of September.
As I said, the waiting is the hardest. I have no idea what awaits me. I am a little scared because my dad's cancer spread to his stomach and his mother died of stomach cancer. Of course, if it's IBS, I can live with that, I am just trying to rule out anything dangerous.
Does anyone have any ideas? Anyone have this kind of experience?
Thanks, Cathi
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Proud member of National Association Of Baby Boomer Women! www.nabbw.com
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#188572 - 08/20/09 01:10 PM
Re: Waiting is the Hardest
[Re: Dotsie]
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Registered: 11/19/08
Posts: 1758
Loc: American living in Germany
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Cathi, I have done many a self diagnosis through the internet. Some were correctr and some not. The internet can drive you nutso, what that concerns. Hope you stay on the positive side...most of the time it's nothing seriouis. I am sending healing thoughts your way!
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As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. Goethe
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#188626 - 08/21/09 04:56 PM
Re: Waiting is the Hardest
[Re: jabber]
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Member
Registered: 12/14/04
Posts: 724
Loc: Chesapeake, VA
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Sorry it took me awhile to get back and respond.
Dotsie, I would probably not be as worried so much if my dad didn't go through this same situation this time last year, coupled with my grandmother, his mom, having had this kind of cancer. In all honesty, I dread the procedures more than I do the results. I have had cysts before, in fact, I had both a tumor and cyst in my ovary before, both of them benign. I am glad you responded because I was thinking it could just be a fatty type tissue. I think that is what cysts are for the most part. I don't know.
Edelweiss, I agree with the fact that the internet can send us on a brink of mass confusion. The only reason I even checked in the first place was because I was hoping I would find something simple and didn't have to go to the doctor. I don't like going to the doctors at all and I am one of these people who will wait until something is pretty bad before I go. Ironically, when my husband does this, I get on his case and reprimand him for not going to the doctor. He is having his challenges too with his a-fibs. So far, the new medicine he is on is working better, but I fear he will need another ablation.
Thanks Jabber for letting me know about your friend. I had a lump last year under my arm. It turned out to be a side effect from the flu shot. I only had the flu shot so I wouldn't get sick and thus not be able to spend the time I wanted to with my dad because of his immune system.
I'll keep you ladies posted.
Thanks and Cheers, Cathi
_________________________
Proud member of National Association Of Baby Boomer Women! www.nabbw.com
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#188732 - 08/23/09 08:51 PM
Re: Waiting is the Hardest
[Re: chatty lady]
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Member
Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 3703
Loc: London UK
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I am soooooooo like you with checking out symptoms online, Cathi. For the most part, we have the NHS Direct here which allows us to do just that and if uncertain, can call in to speak to a nurse on duty who would give further advise.
I had colonoscopy in the recent past and honestly, I found the procedure more embarassing than alarming. I pray all goes well with yours. And, I understand very well one's concern in view of genetics. But, in a way, it helps because you know what symptoms to look out for and when one suspects that a pattern is there, one can seek early treatment for it. The part of the legacy of the generation before us is that we can learn from their experience. I pray and hope all turns out well.
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#189987 - 09/16/09 01:41 PM
Re: Waiting is the Hardest
[Re: Lola]
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Member
Registered: 12/14/04
Posts: 724
Loc: Chesapeake, VA
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Hi Ladies,
I have an update. You're right Lola, it is embarrassing, but the doctor found nothing there. I would like to add though, even worse than the embarrassing part is the prep you have to do the day before. It is awful and IMO barbaric!
Unfortunately, there is some grim news attached to this. I went to have the 3D ultrasound yesterday and the cyst is larger now and, as my doctor put it "there was a solid component to it" Because he is uneasy about that, I have been referred to a Gynegology Oncologist or whatever the title is. This explains about the pain I am experiencing.
I will not know until Monday when my appointment is because this particular doctor and his staff are on vacation this week. Understandable, everyone needs to take a vacation sometime.
You are right Lola, we can watch out for our symptoms based on genetics and what our family experienced in the past. If it wasn't for that, I would probably not have done anything about this and just chalked it up to muscle pain.
Thanks so much ladies for your support. Ironically, I am not scared because I always have hope. It's the waiting that is the hardest.
I love you all alot!!!
Cheers, Cathi
_________________________
Proud member of National Association Of Baby Boomer Women! www.nabbw.com
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#190475 - 09/24/09 05:38 PM
Re: Waiting is the Hardest
[Re: Wisdom&Life]
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Member
Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 3703
Loc: London UK
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Thanks for the update, Cathi. I almost missed it because it's pages behind in Active Topics. Were you able to see the specialist on Monday? Hope you're feeling much better and pray you keep well.
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