Do you remember that lovely female problem I've had going on for like five years. You can read about the past two years here and here. It should have come with no surprise when I got another letter in the mail saying that I should schedule another colposcopy...
I'm not sure exactly what I've covered in those past posts, and honestly I'm too lazy to go back and read them but up until recently I loved my doctor... didn't have a doubt about her in the world, but a friend of my mom's had a pretty big issue with her and convinced me that maybe I should be getting a second opinion on everything. I was leery at first, but when I received that letter my mom brought up a very good point - I haven't really received any new information about this condition in quite awhile from my current doctor - maybe someone else could provide me with more information.
So I decided that I would go ahead and make an appointment with a different practice to at least see what they had to say. I went to that appointment, but didn't really get a whole lot of information... mostly because they had to wait for my current doctor to fax over all the test results and such...
But, a week or so later I finally did get some answers. She basically said that with my specific condition my current doctor was doing everything right - monitoring it. A lot of people have said to me recently they just didn't understand why they weren't giving me the surgery to correct things. My current doctor always said that it was because I wasn't past my 'baby making stage' yet. That they could do the surgery, but recommends to wait b/c that surgery may cause pre-term labor or miscarriages. And if it was doing ok, then we could just monitor it. That was fine and dandy and all... but I'm kinda sick of going in for biopsies/colposcopies each year. They are painful and gross... really gross... for like a week afterwards...
Ok... feel like I got a bit off topic there... so, my current doctor was right about monitoring the condition and not just zapping it... however they saw no real reason why she keeps taking biopsies. She said my pap tests are reading abnormal, but only slightly, which means things are getting better down there. Plus, every time my current doctor has taken biopsies they have been in different spots of the cervix, which indicates it's not just one spot that's bad... wait, that didn't come out right... all of those biopsies just showed normal inflammation that ANY women could have... in other words, showed nothing alarming!
I feel like I'm not explaining this super well, but this new office feels confident that my condition can be monitored with routine pap tests and not biopsies... praise.the.lord!
Another great thing about this office was the amount of time they spent explaining everything to me... I really felt like I just got more information there than I had gotten in the previous five years at my other doctor. While it was nice to know that my other doctor wasn't doing anything wrong per say... I did like this other office's attention.
They also gave me a blood test while I was in the office... which we all know I hate... BUT she ran more tests than I've ever had... or at least gave me more results. They did a cholesterol test (which I have had before and showed high cholesterol) but she gave me my specific numbers. Explained that while my bad cholesterol was high, it was barely over the marker and that my good cholesterol was high too - which is good. They also realized that I have low vitamin D... they like to see that at a 30 and mine was at a 13.9. I will be taking some prescription vitamin D for 8 weeks and then getting another test. A vitamin D deficiency can cause sleepiness and irritability - which I do have on occasion... so I'm eager to see if taking a supplement will make either of those things better.
I've pretty much decided that I will be switching doctors... honestly part of it is I don't want to get another biopsy if I don't have to - and so far this office seems good.
I just wanted to follow up b/c I know everyone was just dying to know :)
Showing posts with label doctor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doctor. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2013
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Fourth time
I am mentioned this before, and I wanted to get a little update on my situation. You might remember this post from roughly a year ago. It will give you the full background.
What I'm here to day is that it hasn't gone away yet! Monday I went in for my fourth colposcopy and cervical biopsy. You would think by this point I would be getting use to the procedure and not freak out like I do... but you would be wrong... very wrong. I still get all faint and freak out. This time in the middle of the procedure I was feeling really bad. Like really sick like I was going to throw up or something... turns out I wasn't breathing... um that might help things! And it totally did. Before I knew it she was saying I was all done. She took two samples and I only felt the first one. So it really wasn't that bad - but still... I'm awful with these procedures.
So what's the result? Well, my biopsy came back clear so I'll be back in the office in 6 months. But this time she said it is up to be what I want to do. I could elect to have the laser surgery if I wanted. That should fix the problem. But I don't know if I want to have a procedure I don't need. What I've decided for now is that I'm just going to wait. I'm going to compile a list of questions and try to get a reading on what I should do or what she thinks would be best. B/c I really don't know and everyone I've asked doesn't seem to know either.
I know there could be come complications with the surgery - pre-term labor or miscarriages... but my doctor thinks that the risk might not be as great as they once thought... since those things also happen to people who don't have the procedure. She said the studies are very mixed... so who knows.
All I know is that I'll be back in the office in six months and we'll go from there.
What I'm here to day is that it hasn't gone away yet! Monday I went in for my fourth colposcopy and cervical biopsy. You would think by this point I would be getting use to the procedure and not freak out like I do... but you would be wrong... very wrong. I still get all faint and freak out. This time in the middle of the procedure I was feeling really bad. Like really sick like I was going to throw up or something... turns out I wasn't breathing... um that might help things! And it totally did. Before I knew it she was saying I was all done. She took two samples and I only felt the first one. So it really wasn't that bad - but still... I'm awful with these procedures.
So what's the result? Well, my biopsy came back clear so I'll be back in the office in 6 months. But this time she said it is up to be what I want to do. I could elect to have the laser surgery if I wanted. That should fix the problem. But I don't know if I want to have a procedure I don't need. What I've decided for now is that I'm just going to wait. I'm going to compile a list of questions and try to get a reading on what I should do or what she thinks would be best. B/c I really don't know and everyone I've asked doesn't seem to know either.
I know there could be come complications with the surgery - pre-term labor or miscarriages... but my doctor thinks that the risk might not be as great as they once thought... since those things also happen to people who don't have the procedure. She said the studies are very mixed... so who knows.
All I know is that I'll be back in the office in six months and we'll go from there.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Third time's a charm??
I have been having some female issues. My tests have been coming back abnormal. This issue has been going on for the last 3-4 years. My cervical cells have been showing dysplasia. I've had to have a procedure called a colposcopy. If you read that article there's some pretty scary stuff in there... namely the word cancer. When I got that first letter right before I broke my leg. I was a wreck. I cried and cried and though I may be dying (a little dramatic right?) I also felt kind of gross - like where was someone wrong in my body and I wasn't having and symptoms from it. That kind made me squirm. It seems weird that something could be wrong in your body and you have no idea. I've had that feels a lot especially with Chad's tumor situation.
What goes along with this colposcopy is typically a cervical biopsy - aka the bad part of all of this. If you're wondering what it feels like, it's kind of like an ear piercing inside of you. Fun stuff let me tell you.
After the first doctor's appointment she really believed that I was going to need to have surgery to fix this - most likely a laser procedure where they zap the bad cells. However, when they looked at my biopsies they found it was just inflammation so I didn't need to have surgery. Last year I was still testing positive for HPV however my pap test came back normal. S0 I had another one of these procedures with the same result.
Just yesterday I had to have yet another one of these. My pap test is still showing positive for HPV but this time the test also came back abnormal which my doctor thinks may mean it's getting worse. I'm not exactly sure what to hope for. These biopsies SUCK... they hurt, they are incredibly awkward, and I get all light headed. Seriously - I got all faint when she was simply talking about what the possible fix would be for this. I'm so crazy.
My doctor says that this (including the HPV) should all heal up on it's own. I guess I've been in this limbo. Not bad enough to treat but not good enough either. I'm in there every 6 months. It kind of sucks. So like I said, I'm not sure what I want to happen. Do I want it to be bad enough to fix? Or do I want to it to show that it's not bad enough? It really sounds like I should want it to clear up on its own (duh) but I'm worried it never will. I'll be having these things every year until forever. Is that even possible.
Sorry, I'm acting crazy. I've been taking it easy the rest of the day. I just feel all weird and gross. I won't go into the details of the aftermath of one of these procedures but just know it isn't the most fun. It's not the worse possible thing but it's still not fun. Grumble... that's my medical issue I've been going through.
I know this all personal information about me and it might be weird that I'm sharing it on a such a public forum, but honestly I very open with people. I don't like to keep many things to myself. After talking to lots of people, this is has happened to a lot of girls. I am not the only one with this issue, it's pretty common. A lot of women get HPV and have to have this procedure. While I've talked negatively, I'm happy that I have a doctor that wants to monitor it so closely. I am happy that even though it scares me to have this done and I get all pale and faint I make myself go. It's important to do what I can not to, god forbid, get cancer. So if anyone has any questions, please let me know and I'll address them.
In the end, I am fine, I will be fine... so don't worry about it. There are bigger fish to fry.
I will say this - it has not been the best medical year thus far. I keep talking to people and everyone seems to have something medical going wrong with them. So I hope that's just January of 2011 and not the entire year. We all need to feel good!! Carpe Diem!!
What goes along with this colposcopy is typically a cervical biopsy - aka the bad part of all of this. If you're wondering what it feels like, it's kind of like an ear piercing inside of you. Fun stuff let me tell you.
After the first doctor's appointment she really believed that I was going to need to have surgery to fix this - most likely a laser procedure where they zap the bad cells. However, when they looked at my biopsies they found it was just inflammation so I didn't need to have surgery. Last year I was still testing positive for HPV however my pap test came back normal. S0 I had another one of these procedures with the same result.
Just yesterday I had to have yet another one of these. My pap test is still showing positive for HPV but this time the test also came back abnormal which my doctor thinks may mean it's getting worse. I'm not exactly sure what to hope for. These biopsies SUCK... they hurt, they are incredibly awkward, and I get all light headed. Seriously - I got all faint when she was simply talking about what the possible fix would be for this. I'm so crazy.
My doctor says that this (including the HPV) should all heal up on it's own. I guess I've been in this limbo. Not bad enough to treat but not good enough either. I'm in there every 6 months. It kind of sucks. So like I said, I'm not sure what I want to happen. Do I want it to be bad enough to fix? Or do I want to it to show that it's not bad enough? It really sounds like I should want it to clear up on its own (duh) but I'm worried it never will. I'll be having these things every year until forever. Is that even possible.
Sorry, I'm acting crazy. I've been taking it easy the rest of the day. I just feel all weird and gross. I won't go into the details of the aftermath of one of these procedures but just know it isn't the most fun. It's not the worse possible thing but it's still not fun. Grumble... that's my medical issue I've been going through.
I know this all personal information about me and it might be weird that I'm sharing it on a such a public forum, but honestly I very open with people. I don't like to keep many things to myself. After talking to lots of people, this is has happened to a lot of girls. I am not the only one with this issue, it's pretty common. A lot of women get HPV and have to have this procedure. While I've talked negatively, I'm happy that I have a doctor that wants to monitor it so closely. I am happy that even though it scares me to have this done and I get all pale and faint I make myself go. It's important to do what I can not to, god forbid, get cancer. So if anyone has any questions, please let me know and I'll address them.
In the end, I am fine, I will be fine... so don't worry about it. There are bigger fish to fry.
I will say this - it has not been the best medical year thus far. I keep talking to people and everyone seems to have something medical going wrong with them. So I hope that's just January of 2011 and not the entire year. We all need to feel good!! Carpe Diem!!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Doctor
I haven't posted in awhile, I'm sorry about that!!
Today I spent the morning of my day off going to a new doctor. I haven't been to a doctor in quite awhile so I thought I should probably go. I'm pretty good at staying on top of things and going to the doctor when I'm suppose to. The problem I had was I didn't really know who to go see... I had seen my mom's doctor, but really didn't like or connect with her.
Recently I found out through my mom that the OB-GYN we both go to (and love) has a twin sister who is a PCP. I found her number and scheduled an appointment... and today I had my visit. I'm really happy that I went to see a doctor, I know there's plenty of things that I don't do that I need to (diet, exercise, calcium) but it's good to have everything checked out.
Now if you know me at all you know that I get very incredibly nervous when I have to go to the doctor... especially if needles are involved. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to get blood tests or shots... I pretty much assumed that I would have to get some blood work done. After talking to my family they convinced me it wasn't such a sure thing that I would have to give blood and/or get shots. My nerves eased a bit with this information.
However, I did have to get blood work done (which is fine) and get a tetanus shot. At least the shot is good for 10 years :). I managed to get through the needles without fainting or even feeling like I might. That's huge, and I give credit to the staff for calming me and letting me lay down.
So you may be wondering, how is it having two different doctors that are twins. Well, I thought I had prepared myself for it, but it was a bit strange... I mean they look exactly alike, talk alike, have the same mannerisms... it was a bit different, but I'm really happy with the doctor, office, and staff.
So if anything turns up in my blood work I'll let you know... in the mean time I'm going to start taking calcium...
Today I spent the morning of my day off going to a new doctor. I haven't been to a doctor in quite awhile so I thought I should probably go. I'm pretty good at staying on top of things and going to the doctor when I'm suppose to. The problem I had was I didn't really know who to go see... I had seen my mom's doctor, but really didn't like or connect with her.
Recently I found out through my mom that the OB-GYN we both go to (and love) has a twin sister who is a PCP. I found her number and scheduled an appointment... and today I had my visit. I'm really happy that I went to see a doctor, I know there's plenty of things that I don't do that I need to (diet, exercise, calcium) but it's good to have everything checked out.
Now if you know me at all you know that I get very incredibly nervous when I have to go to the doctor... especially if needles are involved. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to get blood tests or shots... I pretty much assumed that I would have to get some blood work done. After talking to my family they convinced me it wasn't such a sure thing that I would have to give blood and/or get shots. My nerves eased a bit with this information.
However, I did have to get blood work done (which is fine) and get a tetanus shot. At least the shot is good for 10 years :). I managed to get through the needles without fainting or even feeling like I might. That's huge, and I give credit to the staff for calming me and letting me lay down.
So you may be wondering, how is it having two different doctors that are twins. Well, I thought I had prepared myself for it, but it was a bit strange... I mean they look exactly alike, talk alike, have the same mannerisms... it was a bit different, but I'm really happy with the doctor, office, and staff.
So if anything turns up in my blood work I'll let you know... in the mean time I'm going to start taking calcium...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Arrrgggghhhhh
So I know it's Tuesday but I wanted to talk about my weekend...
Friday
Chad and I were invited to my cousin (and our flower girl's) first grade play/musical. So we went... it was at Affton High School... it was entitled Pirates! (very timely don't you think)... it was pretty adorable... I haven't been to anything for younger kids in awhile and I really enjoyed the silly humor and the kids dancing. I'm really happy that we went... Also, I watched Chad during it and he was enjoying himself as well... someday... years and years from now I think he's going to make a very good dad... he is so amazing with kids... it is stunning!! After the play we got some White Castles and came home and spent our typical lounging evening at home.
Saturday
We didn't do a whole lot... my cousin came down and helped us with our AC... he is so very nice to help us out!! After that we went and got Mexican... it was yummy... we found a place closer to our house... yummy.
Sunday
Okay... I'm not exactly sure why I wrote this blog in this format... it makes it seem like there was a lot going on, when in reality there wasn't... I am becoming really good at Monopoly online... I mean seriously I win at least 2 out of 3 games.
Monday
Okay... Monday was my AWS day and I was really productive. I went to the eye doctor first... I've been needing to go for at least six months... after this, that, and whatever I finally had a chance to go. Of course I need a stronger prescription... no surprise to me!! Luckily I was able to save some dough and they are just getting me new lens for my old frames... I still like my frames so this worked out perfectly!! This is the first time I've used my eye insurance... and it helped!! Next we took the d-o-gs to the vet. Rowdy was able to get his adult shots... he weighed in at around 40lbs... they say at this age you can double their weight and that's how much they will weigh as an adult... we're going to have a big guy on our hands!! Bozley did really well at the vet as well... they are both in healthy condition. After that we dropped the dogs off and went out to a late lunch at B-Dubs. It was very nice... we drank beer in the middle of the day. We then went and looked around a couple of stores which made me VERY happy... then Chad took me to Spanky's... he's so freaking sweet!! Then we came home... Chad had his first night back to work which I know sucked for him.
Overall it was a FABULOUS weekend with my honeybear!!
Friday
Chad and I were invited to my cousin (and our flower girl's) first grade play/musical. So we went... it was at Affton High School... it was entitled Pirates! (very timely don't you think)... it was pretty adorable... I haven't been to anything for younger kids in awhile and I really enjoyed the silly humor and the kids dancing. I'm really happy that we went... Also, I watched Chad during it and he was enjoying himself as well... someday... years and years from now I think he's going to make a very good dad... he is so amazing with kids... it is stunning!! After the play we got some White Castles and came home and spent our typical lounging evening at home.
Saturday
We didn't do a whole lot... my cousin came down and helped us with our AC... he is so very nice to help us out!! After that we went and got Mexican... it was yummy... we found a place closer to our house... yummy.
Sunday
Okay... I'm not exactly sure why I wrote this blog in this format... it makes it seem like there was a lot going on, when in reality there wasn't... I am becoming really good at Monopoly online... I mean seriously I win at least 2 out of 3 games.
Monday
Okay... Monday was my AWS day and I was really productive. I went to the eye doctor first... I've been needing to go for at least six months... after this, that, and whatever I finally had a chance to go. Of course I need a stronger prescription... no surprise to me!! Luckily I was able to save some dough and they are just getting me new lens for my old frames... I still like my frames so this worked out perfectly!! This is the first time I've used my eye insurance... and it helped!! Next we took the d-o-gs to the vet. Rowdy was able to get his adult shots... he weighed in at around 40lbs... they say at this age you can double their weight and that's how much they will weigh as an adult... we're going to have a big guy on our hands!! Bozley did really well at the vet as well... they are both in healthy condition. After that we dropped the dogs off and went out to a late lunch at B-Dubs. It was very nice... we drank beer in the middle of the day. We then went and looked around a couple of stores which made me VERY happy... then Chad took me to Spanky's... he's so freaking sweet!! Then we came home... Chad had his first night back to work which I know sucked for him.
Overall it was a FABULOUS weekend with my honeybear!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Home At Last
While I was at work I had plenty of things that I wanted to write about... however now that I'm home I can't think of it... so this may be a short post...
I have major problems buying jeans... they always fit fine in the dressing room and when I get home they never fit the same... they are too big or too long or too annoying... It's annoying... flipping annoying... on the good side of things we finally got Chad new jeans... he's needed them for months... we bought 4 pairs for Chad, 2 for me, and Chad got 3 shirts... and we only spent around $130, which I think is great!! How can you not love Kohls?? We went to the one next to Crestwood Plaza... it's so sad over there since no one goes there... It's a completely dead mall... this is the mall that I went to as a teenager... I know there are new owners and big plans, and I'm excited to see the transformation.
Today I had my annual OBGYN appointment (exciting I know!!) To make a long story short I was having some issues with my cervix and she thought that I may have to get laser surgery... well my last pap test came back normal as I'm hoping this one does too!! I hate those appointments it's always just ackward and such having to wait naked with paper "robes" but my doc is awesome, so for that I'm happy.
I drove on 44 today... and boy that road is bad... I know that they expanded it for the 40 closures but still... the old lines are still down in places and the road is bumpy and annoying... and there's no shoulder... what if I have to make an emergency stop? Or I get pulled over? I hope they fix 44 after 40...
Have you seen that new Rock Star 2 commercial? The one with Koby Bryant, Michael Phelps, Tony Hawk, and some other dude? It's pretty good!! I really want rock band.
Alright, that's all from me for now
I have major problems buying jeans... they always fit fine in the dressing room and when I get home they never fit the same... they are too big or too long or too annoying... It's annoying... flipping annoying... on the good side of things we finally got Chad new jeans... he's needed them for months... we bought 4 pairs for Chad, 2 for me, and Chad got 3 shirts... and we only spent around $130, which I think is great!! How can you not love Kohls?? We went to the one next to Crestwood Plaza... it's so sad over there since no one goes there... It's a completely dead mall... this is the mall that I went to as a teenager... I know there are new owners and big plans, and I'm excited to see the transformation.
Today I had my annual OBGYN appointment (exciting I know!!) To make a long story short I was having some issues with my cervix and she thought that I may have to get laser surgery... well my last pap test came back normal as I'm hoping this one does too!! I hate those appointments it's always just ackward and such having to wait naked with paper "robes" but my doc is awesome, so for that I'm happy.
I drove on 44 today... and boy that road is bad... I know that they expanded it for the 40 closures but still... the old lines are still down in places and the road is bumpy and annoying... and there's no shoulder... what if I have to make an emergency stop? Or I get pulled over? I hope they fix 44 after 40...
Have you seen that new Rock Star 2 commercial? The one with Koby Bryant, Michael Phelps, Tony Hawk, and some other dude? It's pretty good!! I really want rock band.
Alright, that's all from me for now
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