Yet Another Thing
When I woke to a steady snow this morning my first thought was, “Great. I bet they cancel my doctor’s appointment this afternoon.” I didn’t used to be so negative, but the last couple years have instilled the “expect the worst” program in me.
Thankfully I was wrong. Bessie (my van) hydroplanes when it hits sweat from the road crew so there was no way I was going to drive. Todd took the day off so he could play chauffer. Niiiice.
We met with the doctor, gave her my history and we talked about my options. Remove just the ovaries or the whole shebang. I’ve been taking Tamoxifen for a little over a year and have four more to go. One of the very slight risks is uterine cancer so my thought was just yank the entire package. However, after examining me (PLECH!) she determined that removing my uterus would require invasive abdominal surgery. While the thought of a morphine pump makes me nigh giddy, I’m not anxious to have my tummy cut more. So I told her I’m good with just the oophorectomy (that’s doctor talk for removing the ovaries).
Then she asks me, “Did you have a uterine biopsy after these bleeding episodes?” **sigh** I know they were both regular periods because I felt the pinch of ovulation a couple weeks before each time. Also, my hot flashes and night sweats had stopped so I knew I was producing estrogen. But that wasn’t enough confirmation for the lady with the medical degree so she did a uterine biopsy. I wish to never have one of those again. I’m truly not worried that it will come back positive for anything suspicious. Even still, there’s that tiny part in the back of my mind that is just the teensiest bit scared. I think it’s linked to that “expect the worst” chip, but I do pretty good to ignore it.
Next step is to get an ovarian ultrasound. When the doctor has my biopsy and ultrasound results and has talked to my oncologist we’ll decide for sure what procedure I’ll have. I’m really hoping it will be a simple laparoscopic oophorectomy.
When we left I told Todd my girly parts were unhappy so I needed a White Chocolate Mocha. Since there was no place to park in the lot I jumped out of the truck (figuratively speaking) and ran inside (again, figuratively speaking) to get my steaming cup of liquid happiness. I know this is going to sound silly (a first, I’m sure), but something about walking through the falling snow whilst holding a venti White Chocolate Mocha is so joyous a thing that I don’t have words to describe the depth of my emotions.
I was going to also tell you about these itchy blisters I have on my abdomen and how my GP wasn’t able to figure out what they were and that the steroid dose pack he prescribed did absolutely nothing and today the gynecologist said she had no idea what they were so now I’m seeing a dermatologist on Thursday, but it seems like all I do is complain about one ailment or another. And if I continue to tell you all of my physical ailments you’ll begin to worry every time you come to my blog, not knowing what I’m going to describe and praying I’ve not resorted to relating details about my bowels. I promise never to do that. Cross my heart and all that.
This post has gone on long enough, but I’m going to leave you with this little story from this afternoon:
Taylor asked if Sam could hang out here tomorrow if school was cancelled and I told him sure, but if the roads were bad enough to cancel school then there was no way I’d drive the van to get her. So he says…
“Tell Dad to stay home from work so he can go get Sam in the truck. Use your feminine wiles on him. You’ve got all that new equipment, you might as well put it to good use.”
Wow Jen A lot going on!!Lets’s hope you can just go with the less invasive procedure.Please keep us updated.Support and prayers are here.
Ooh, those blisters are a strange thing. Do they hurt? Taylor’s comment cracks me up.
OMG, Jen! Would you please find Taylor an agent right now? He is just too funny for words!!And I’m so glad that in spite of everything that you can still enjoy the wonder that is a hot drink from Starbucks . . .*grin* Jennifer
Thanks, Jan!Slackermommy – the blisters don’t really hurt, they itch. And you can’t scratch them. It’s almost like having chicken pox. And that’s a typical Taylor comment. It’s usually hard to be mad at him because he’s just so dang funny!
Jennifer – who needs therapy when you’ve got Starbucks??? And the thing about Taylor is that he’s not nearly as funny when he’s trying to be. He is rather entertaining.
All I can say is that Taylor doesn’t fall too far from his Mom’s tree….. You were always quite entertaining too!
Wow, Jenster…what a trial you continue to go thru. Thankfully, God doesn’t give us more than we can handle…you must be AWFULLY STRONG!!! Please don’t misunderstand…I don’t say that lightly. My trials haven’t been what you’ve been thru (altho’ 5-1/2 years of infertility is nothing to sneeze at!), but I’ve learned that He is faithful and He will carry you through it, regardless of the severity of the situation. Perhaps that’s why He gave you such a comedian for a son. Sounds like Taylor helps lighten the load a bit. :-)Do keep us posted. I’ll be praying for you. 🙂
Your son sounds like a crack up. We find that we are constantly laughing at stuff our kids do and say as well! Any chance the blisters are a reaction to meds? All kinds of weird things happen to me whenever I take almost any kind of meds (I am allergic to a bunch of stuff) and they usually manifest in my skin. Nothing worse than itchy skin! Hope the derm can make it better 🙂
Terri – I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.Katybug – I wholeheartedly agree. God’s grace and provision continually amaze me. And when I was first diagnosed I appointed my daughter as the ice cream monitor. I couldn’t think of what to appoint my son and several friends offered, “jester”. LOLJen – I really don’t think it’s a reaction to medication. I’ve never done this before. I’m going to tell the dermatologist tomorrow to check for bacteria, fungus, parasites, and anything else he can think of. I want this taken care of NOW!
Hi Jen- Yeah, uterine biopsies are a B***h. At least- mine were. I hope you’ve a hot water bottle & lots o’chocolate. Did they give you steroid cream for the blisters?! Benedryl?? Anything helpful at all??
Amanda – When I called my GP to tell him the dose pack wasn’t doing anything he prescribed steroid cream to hold me until I could get in with the derm. It didn’t do much, either. I’ve been taking Benadryl by mouth and I’ve got some anti-itch lotion that helps some.
Jenster – you are one of wittiest people I have never actually met. lol Even when you are so-called “ranting”, you still find a way to be funny and light spirited about it, although, I know you truly don’t feel that way. It sounds like Taylor is his mother’s son. 🙂 My prayers are with you girl!
Taylor is too much–LOL. Sorry you have to go through all the new procedures, but it’s better to be safe. Hugs and prayers, Tara
Let me know when you hear what the itchy patches are. Bf get’s them under his arms and around his waist. To me it’s looks like hives but we (and the doctors) can’t seem to figure out why … they seem to come out worse when he’s stressed or anxious … other times its when he finally does get TO relax after a stressful day.
Jodi – I think humor is my defense mechanism. If I can make fun of it then it can’t be too bad.Tara – I hate to tell you this, but every time you relate a funny Junior story, it brings back memories of Taylor when he was that age. So this is probably what you have to look forward to. :o)Zeek – The doctor took two biopsies and hopefully we’ll know what the deal is in a week or two. I’ll be sure to tell you when I find out.
I love that even when telling all the yuckiness, you can still be funny. A chocolate mocha would make me really happy, so I am glad it did the same for you. At least that part of the day was good.
You described a nice warm drink on a cold day beautifully.Sorry about all the girl part problems. I have a friend who has gone through some of the same stuff as you, I think–this is the first post I’ve read of yours. Found you from my BBFF (Best Blogger Friend Forever) Swishy!Nice to meet you Jenster!
R.G. – I think you and I may be cut from the same cloth. :o)Manic Mom – Thanks for coming to play! It’s very nice to meet you, too.
Oh, I am all over Starbucks as contemporary mood therapy! There is just something about coffee with something yummy in it (flavor wise… although the other can be extra good at times! LOL) that can cheer you up in a moment! I do the same thing!I have not been a long follower of your blog so I am not familiar with all your ailments but I am sorry for all you are going through. 🙁 I think I would be like you… just take it all BUT… I also would be hesitant for a more invasive surgery also. My mother recently went through a full hysterectomy (I spelled that wrong I think! LOL) and was nervous of the same thing BUT has been pleasantly suprised. Her doctor said the recovery is similar to a C-section… obviously with a few differences. I had one of those and it wasn’t too bad… I am told I am odd though, I took motrin and was walking within 24 hours (I HATE being down)! LMAO Anyways, God willing all will come back good and you can do just the lap. I have a question though… this is an odd one but I am curious. If you remove the overies this would be the same as putting you into a menopausal state correct? That would indicat you would no longer have a “monthly?” Sorry… personal I know, the reason i ask… don’t laugh, that would be a deciding factor for me! LOL I hate my mothly, it is inconvient! LMAO Plus I have endometriosis and fibroids so they can be kind of painful. 🙁 Sorry, I am overly curious about things, I am always trying to learn new things. I am fairly sure I don’t want to know how they did that biopsy thou so I won’t ask. Just SOUNDS uncomfy if it is the way I am thinking she went in! 🙁 You poor thing, go have TWO Starbucks- if I knew how I would send you one on me!
Oh, I am all over Starbucks as contemporary mood therapy! There is just something about coffee with something yummy in it (flavor wise… although the other can be extra good at times! LOL) that can cheer you up in a moment! I do the same thing!I have not been a long follower of your blog so I am not familiar with all your ailments but I am sorry for all you are going through. 🙁 I think I would be like you… just take it all BUT… I also would be hesitant for a more invasive surgery also. My mother recently went through a full hysterectomy (I spelled that wrong I think! LOL) and was nervous of the same thing BUT has been pleasantly suprised. Her doctor said the recovery is similar to a C-section… obviously with a few differences. I had one of those and it wasn’t too bad… I am told I am odd though, I took motrin and was walking within 24 hours (I HATE being down)! LMAO Anyways, God willing all will come back good and you can do just the lap. I have a question though… this is an odd one but I am curious. If you remove the overies this would be the same as putting you into a menopausal state correct? That would indicat you would no longer have a “monthly?” Sorry… personal I know, the reason i ask… don’t laugh, that would be a deciding factor for me! LOL I hate my mothly, it is inconvient! LMAO Plus I have endometriosis and fibroids so they can be kind of painful. 🙁 Sorry, I am overly curious about things, I am always trying to learn new things. I am fairly sure I don’t want to know how they did that biopsy thou so I won’t ask. Just SOUNDS uncomfy if it is the way I am thinking she went in! 🙁 You poor thing, go have TWO Starbucks- if I knew how I would send you one on me!
I’m always surprised when women know they are ovulating – I don’t have a friggin’ clue 😉 Oh and I’m sure I’ve mentioned my bowel a few times on my blog.Don’t you hate that little whisper of doubt – I went for my first full physical because I’m 36 and figured it was time. I was kinda nervous about the results even though I feel fine.I hope they can do the less invasive procedure so that you don’t have any (much) more down time. You’ve been extremely patient about the healing process!CindyS
Oh wow. Sorry for all your ailments. It sucks when our bodies turn on us. That kid of yours knows too much! Eek! LOL!