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--- Chris and the medical mystery tour (http://www.gatchamania.net/threadid.php?threadid=4879)
Posted by ChrisW on 15-06-2015 at 22:02:
Chris and the medical mystery tour
(whine alert)
So, anyone who's been following knows that I've been struggling with pretty bad iron-deficient anemia and low hemoglobin. The dr decided to see if my cycle might be involved and so put me on depo provera to stop it. Instead, I ended up with 6 straight weeks of bleeding/spotting, including 3 full full periods in May (while I was in FL). He gave me a week's worth of anti-bleeding meds and that managed to get it under control. Now I'm back to mild spotting.
I got a uterine and abdominal ultrasound last week. They figure from the results that the uterine cysts and fibroids are causing the bleeding. It also doesn't help that I have a 5cm/2in (probably benign) tumor on my right ovary. Waiting to be called about an appointment with a gynecologist. The dr listed 3 long-named procedures they might want to do but they all sailed over my head. 
Today I got the letter for my mammogram. Apparently I need additional testing. The letter goes to great pains to point out that 94% of the women who need additional testing are fine, but I can't help but be a bit grumpy about the 2nd time within a week being told "We're sure it's not cancer!" It's oddly not so reassuring.
The irony is that when I was 24 they were pretty sure I had cancer (though they told my parents that but not me) through my thyroid tumor. Fortunately it's benign.
Not enjoying medical stuff lately!
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by msannomalley on 15-06-2015 at 22:57:
I've gotten the "you need more testing" letter, too. Coincidentally, it was around the first of October, when all the pink stuff started (and don't get me started on pink washing), which just made my already high anxiety levels even worse (and now I understand why some women with breast cancer hate all that pink ribbon stuff). Thankfully, it wasn't cancer, but I totally understand what you're feeling right now.
I hope everything turns out okay for you. 
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Il mio aliscafo è pieno di anguille
Posted by ChrisW on 15-06-2015 at 23:13:
Just wanna get all these tests over with, for everything, and get my energy back!
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Posted by ElectricWhite on 15-06-2015 at 23:48:
I'm pulling for you, Chris! I know it's not easy, but don't let the mammogram stuff bug you. You've naturally got something that lots of women pay a plastic surgeon thousands of dollars to get, and the mammogram machines simply can't handle that! 
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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury
Posted by ChrisW on 16-06-2015 at 00:28:
LOL, that must be it
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by Springie on 16-06-2015 at 00:49:
UGH- Chris...I wish you the very best- all benign results and a quick, easy fix! Hope you are feeling better soon!
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Posted by ChrisW on 16-06-2015 at 01:03:
I commissioned a drawing to cheer myself up.
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by Daniella T on 16-06-2015 at 03:07:
I hope you get good results soon, Chris! Fingers crossed!
When will you know???
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They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes -- Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.
Posted by Springie on 16-06-2015 at 03:54:
Oh good! Did you commission Inspector (Thunderbird)? Can't wait to see it!
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Posted by ChrisW on 16-06-2015 at 04:12:
I should be getting calls this week from the gynecologist and my dr's office to set up appointments for the next round in the uterine stuff and the mammary stuff. (Love that word.)
Springie: Yes, I commissioned him since he's interested in appealing better to a female audience. 
$10 for one character and $5 for each additional!
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by ChrisW on 16-06-2015 at 22:50:
Looks like I've got a diagnostic mammogram (more detailed than the screening one) and an ultrasound of the left breast on July 2. Whee!
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Posted by Becky Rock on 17-06-2015 at 00:56:
Chris, I've been getting mammograms since I was 23 due to a tumor that ended up being benign. I've got 'lumpy' breasts and almost always have to have both multiple mamas and ultrasounds. I've had several tumors removed. Many women in their late thirties start to get lumpy calcium build-up as our hormones start to change. Hopefully, that's all it is.
I've also had uterine fibroids (causing excessive bleeding so removed but grew back) and ovarian cysts that knock me flat from the pain. I've had a few procedures that help for a while, but then everything comes back. At 51, I finally took the next to last resort which is a shot to turn off the estrogen to go into menopause on the spot. The only problem I've had is excessive hot flashes and night sweats, but it beats being in bed in agony three days a months from the ovarian cysts.
One hundred and fifty years ago, women and doctors knew little about these problems since the average life span didn't allow many women to live long enough to go through pre-menopause and menopause. We're all learning the hard way now.
I wish you the best with your tests.
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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...
Posted by ChrisW on 17-06-2015 at 02:02:
Yikes Becky! I got ultrasounds and dye scans and a biopsy when I was 24 for the benign thyroid tumor I inherited from my mom (my brother got the same one later). I feel very lucky that mine didn't grow like hers did, she had to have her thyroid removed and it's caused her all kinds of problems!
The letter from the cancer center went on and on about how most women who get called back are fine, so they do try to be very reassuring, heh. Still waiting to hear from the gynecologist. We'll see what tests they'll do (the dr thought there would be a few of them) and what they recommend.
I already get night sweats (which I understand are very common) but my anemia and low hemoglobin makes me cold all the time so no hot flashes. I do get pain from the ovarian tumor but it's not nearly as bad as yours. It started a couple of years ago as just a tiny pinch when I was ovulating, but now it's a dull pain that I feel more regularly. I'd like to get it dealt with before it gets nasty like yours. :/
My cycle gave me trouble from the time it started when I was 9. It figures it's becoming a real problem now.
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by ChrisW on 17-06-2015 at 19:21:
Gynecologist appointment July 8 and boob appointment July 2. Whee!
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Posted by ElectricWhite on 18-06-2015 at 00:02:
Here's hoping they patch your snatch July 8! (I just couldn't resist saying that!) 
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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury
Posted by ChrisW on 18-06-2015 at 02:35:
LOLOL
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by Becky Rock on 19-06-2015 at 00:24:
EW, only you....
Chris, why don't they remove the ovarian tumor?
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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...
Posted by ChrisW on 19-06-2015 at 02:07:
The gynecologist I think will be the one to talk to me about those options, so July 8.
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Eagle Whisperer
Posted by littlewolf on 19-06-2015 at 02:21:
OLD AGE SUCKS!!!!!
there are moments when I want to poke and prod them back and go """Mnnnn, ahhh? I think further invasive test are in order , but you will have to wait weeks, month and then have further test, and then I will have to consult someone else, but in the mean time you will have to wait cause I can't tell you what it is... by the way your covered by medical insurance?"
love and hugs and a quick answer for you xox
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May the bad things get lost on the way to you door!
Posted by ChrisW on 19-06-2015 at 02:35:
I don't feel like I'm having to wait too long, I'm glad I'm being sent to a specialist, and insurance isn't an issue with this stuff in Canada. Honestly my reaction to having the uterine/ovarian news then the breast thing was mostly "GIVE ME A BREAK ALREADY!" My biggest impatience is how long it's taking to figure out and fix my low hemoglobin/anemia issue. However, it's sounding more like the problem was the uterine cysts/fibroids the whole time, which means we finally might be getting to the heart of the matter. I hope.
My biggest fear is that I"ll get through all this and will STILL have low hemoglobin and bad iron-deficient anemia.
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