Trauma Headquarters and ADSG

It's humbling to admit one's own needs, but I ask for your prayers on my behalf as I address a few health issues next week. 

On Monday morning I have an appointment for a second ultrasound to examine a growth on my left ovary.  Given my history of endometriosis and fibroid tumors, it could be that it's just a new growth of endometriosis...or possibly a hemorrhagic cyst that will clear up on its own.  Worse case scenario, it could be an ovarian tumor.  I may not find out anything until I see my doctor again on December 11th...which is a long time to wait.  I suppose if it's found to be more urgent, the doctor will contact me sooner.

I just had a mammogram yesterday, and though I have no particular reason to expect any problems, I feel a little anxious knowing that I have to wait about 2 weeks for the results.

I'm also dealing with high blood pressure and a heart murmur which may or may not be indicative of a heart eurythmia.  I had an EKG done yesterday at the doctor's office, and I have an appointment next Wednesday morning at the hospital for an echocardiogram.  I will also have to wear an "event monitor" for a period of time to gather data about my heart rate and the frequency of its irregular beating.  Sounds complicated doesn't it?  A little scary too....I feel more vulnerable than I ever have before. 

The heart issue is of particular concern to me because both my dad and my brother died of unexplained causes, and the doctor I saw yesterday questioned whether they might have died from an eurythmia.  That would seem to be nearly impossible to trace in an autopsy if the heart just "stopped."  We may never know...but it's my understanding that a heart eurythmia is treatable, so it's always a blessing to have a diagnosis before its become a severe problem.   

I ask for your prayers to help me overcome my fears about what the results of these tests might be.  I pray for the faith to persevere in trying to make healthy choices for myself, to accept whatever limitations my body might have now or in the future, and to have courage if I need to have any surgery.  I've had two surgeries within the past ten years, and I admit that I am afraid of having to go through anything like that again.   

Thank you.

Liz

Liz,

of course I will add your health concerns to my prayers.

Heart arrythmias are very serious.  I am glad you are going to be wearing a monitor, that will help the doctors a lot.

I will also pray about your other concerns.

Also, and I do apologize, but the nurses hat is always on, if you ever feel chest pressure, discomfort, a fluttery feeling, or just don't feel right, please get to your nearest cardiac center as quickly as possible.  Preferably somebody else driving, an ambulance if need be.

I do not mean to unnecessarily worry you, but heart disease in women is very tricky because women do not present with the normal signs and symptoms.

I pray a hedge of protection over you and for compassion and wisdom from the health care professionals that will be caring for you.

blessings

I'll pray for you :love7:

Add my prayers, too.  That is a lot of things to worry about at the same time.  My your worries be quieted, and your health be renewed.

Sending prayers for peace throughout this uncertain time.

Hugs,
Chris

So much at once, no wonder you are stressed.  I will pray for peace for you. 

When it rains, it pours.  I got the mammogram results back and the letter stated that something showed up that the technician believes to be benign, but I will have to have another mammogram done in six months to be on the safe side. 

Still waiting on the test results from the ultrasound on Monday and the echocardiogram this morning....

I'm hooked up to a heart monitor for the next month...no incidents yet today.

On the bright side, my blood pressure reading this morning was lower than it's been in ages!  Go figure...trying to get to the appointment this morning was a bit of a hassle because ds's bus was late picking him up...I hit quite a bit of traffic...and then I had some trouble finding the right building for the cardiology center.  I must be doing something right in trying to maintain a positive attitude about all this.  Whenever I start to feel a little scared or worried, I remind myself that in situation like this, others are taking care of me, and I owe it to them to be as calm and cooperative as possible. 

Liz

thanks for the update.

I will keep praying for you.

Keep us posted.

blessings

Liz,
Praying the Lord to send good health and peace of mind your way!
Take Care!
Traci :love7:

More updates.....
 
My doctor's office gave me a call late yesterday afternoon to let me know that they have been reviewing the test results.
 
The size of the growth on my left ovary has decreased--which is great news!  I will still have to have another ultrasound done in 4-6 weeks to confirm that it's not an issue of concern anymore.  There is apparently also a cyst on my right ovary, but perhaps it's small enough that it wasn't of concern.
 
The echocardiogram revealed that some of my heart valves do not close tightly, but it appears to be a mild issue at this point.  I will continue to wear the monitor for another 28 days and see if any readings might give them more information.  So far no incidents to record.  It's a little unsettling to wear the monitor and not have anything happen. (Kind of reminds me of how I took my car in to our mechanic a couple of weeks ago after hearing a squealing noise for weeks.  Since the day before the appointment, I have not heard that same sound at all.  It just stopped on its own.)   Anyway...at least I have it for whenever I might need it.  Until then I am just trying not to pay too much attention to it.   
 
I didn't have as much information about the mammogram as the doctor's office did.  My letter said to report back in six months...their letter said that the hospital would like to see me back soon for more imaging of the left breast as soon as possible.  The doctor's office is setting up the appointments for me for this and the ultrasound...

More details later....but I am feeling so grateful for the information that I have received.  It allows me to know how t take better care of myself.

Thanks again for the ongoing prayers.  Much appreciated!!!

Liz

Liz, Praying for your good health!
I've been called in for a 2nd mammogram and then an ultrasound and then a surgery consult and it was only found to be a fibercystic breast, hope that's what's happening with you. I also get cyst on my right ovary, they say it's like a blister, they only remove them if they get to big and painful but it's not cancer. I've had a mitral valve prolapse for 20 years, where my valve doesn't close just right, my heart will race occasionally but that's all, I hope it's that simple for you too.
just wanted you to know you not alone, (wasn't ment to give you my health record)
Keep us posted!
Blessings,
Traci

I have appointments set now for a follow-up mammogram/ultrasound on December 10th--and then another ultrasound to re-check the ovarian cyst on December 22nd. 

Liz

Hi Liz,  Sorry I didn't see this before now.  I, too, will remember you in my prayers this week.

Just a brief update....I had a second mammogram and an ultrasound done yesterday.  The results indicate that the area of concern is still a concern and the next step is to do a biopsy.  I have an appointment with my regular doctor this morning and will be making arrangements to schedule the biopsy, hopefully sooner than later.  (I'm not sure what the waiting time is to get in for this type of procedure.) 

Liz

Liz,

thanks for the update.

depending on the size of the town you live in, you should be able to get in pretty quickly.  Let's hoping so, so that you can have some answers.

Trying not to worry is the pits!!!!

Hugs and prayers,

blessings

I've got a date set for the afternoon of January 5th...that was the earliest available because of the holiday season.  I was kind of hoping for a morning appointment because then I do not have to factor in picking up my older son from school at 3:00 and being home for ds10's bus by 3:30....but I've given dh a "heads up" to give me some help with the boys that afternoon.

Liz

Liz,

Just a thought, but it will only work if you have some flexibility in your schedule.

Call the clinic back and ask them to put you on their cancellation list.  That way if they get a cancellation, they could call you and you could get in earlier. 

Like I said, just a thought.

I'll put the 5th on my calendar and be praying about that day.

blessings

That's not a bad idea, but with the number of appointments and other things I'm already trying to juggle these days, I think I'll just stick with the date as it is.  It'll be here before I know it! 

Liz

with the number of appointments and other things I'm already trying to juggle these days

juggling appointments, boy can I relate!!!!!

yikes and gadzooks!!!!

Hope you have a little bit of time some days to sit quietly by yourself and catch your breath.

blessings

Further update....had a third ultrasound to look at my ovaries on Monday morning.  It wasn't a quick appointment like the second ultrasound had been...in fact, the technician called in a doctor to look at the images.  I don't have a lot of information except that they think I may have a dermoid cyst, which, I have read, in most cases are benign.  So, the next step is to see a gynecologist, which probably won't be until after the holidays.  My doctor's office is in the process of making a referral for me, and I am sure I will get a more detailed explanation at that point.

I appreciate the continued prayers.  I'm not feeling particularly worried...just that much more mindful of trying to do what I can to relax and take good care of myself.  The boys have been home with me for vacation since Friday afternoon, and ds10 is holding onto every bad thought, fear, and worry that he can muster up...past, present, and future.  I was unpacking some boxes last week and came across a couple of pictures of the boys where they are both smiling and I've put those out on the desk...right here by the computer...so that I can remember that we have had happy times doing normal family things.  That may not happen very often these days....but I'm not giving up on trying to pull together some nice family time during this vacation.  Having ds12 at home too helps me keep my sanity.  He's teaching me how to play chess.  The fact that he said I was annoying him with some moves yesterday was a compliment of sorts in the sense that I occasionally messed up some of his strategy.  I haven't beaten him yet, but at least I've not given him easy wins either. 

Oh...in other news, dh has been scrambling a bit to research used cars because we're needing to replace our 1989 Ford Taurus station wagon (ancient, I know....our other car is a 1988 Honda Accord sedan that dh has been driving since about 1993 or 1994.)  He's taken on the bulk of that responsibility because he knows I've had a full agenda with medical appointments...my own and ds10's.  We've been looking at a 2005 Kia Sedona mini van, and if all goes well, dh will be bringing it home this afternoon. 

We'll eventually replace the Honda too, but we can take a little more time with that purchase since the Honda is still "running."  (It has its own quirks.)  Last Friday, our usual mechanic deemed the Taurus beyond repair without spending more than it's worth.  We knew that day was coming---but when we bought it six years ago, it was just what we needed in a pinch when my LeBaron died.  The Taurus was literally the kind of car that had been hardly ever driven by a little old lady.  It had only about 30,000 miles on it after 14 years!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Liz 
   

I've got an appointment set up for next Tuesday morning.  I'll have to take the boys along with me and get them set up with something to do in the waiting room.  Maybe if they do a good job I can pick up something special for lunch on the way home from the appointment.  I feel fortunate to be getting in so soon....apparently there was a cancellation and this spot had just opened up.

Liz

Liz,

thanks for the update.

I am so glad you were able to get in earlier rather than later.  It helps cut down on the amount of time we can work on not worrying!!!

Hang in there with the holidays.

My group is hanging in there.  Bumps, but no free falls off a cliff.

blessings

p.s.  we drive aging cars also.  My husbands 1986 suburban is having the audacity to act up again!!!!

One appointment down...one to go.  Yesterday morning's appointment was with a gynecologist.  Nothing definitive decided yet as she wants to access and review the records from a previous surgery, but she seemed pretty certain in her recommendation that the cyst on my right ovary should be removed.  There's at least a 98% chance that it's benign, but she can't be completely certain what it is until she can examine it under a microscope. 

I asked about my prior diagnosis of endometriosis and its relevance to the intermittent pain that I experience in my lower back, right hip, and down my right leg.  There seems to be a good chance that the pain is endometriosis-related...but there's no way to see the extent or location of the endometriosis without doing surgery.  The surgery I had five years ago was rather extensive to remove endometriosis as well as fibroid tumors...and I could take that route again to clean everything up as much as possible....but there's a high risk of more scar tissue developing and a high likelihood of everything building up again in a matter of time.  (With my last surgery, the pain came back as soon as I stopped the hormone treatment...not very encouraging.) 

The doctor proposed an option of a hysterectomy...and I'm considering the pros and cons.  My greatest concerns are that there's a long recuperation period from such a major surgery and that could stir up a lot of issues with ds10.  The advantage of doing it sooner than later would be that at least ds would be in school most of the time.  I had my last surgery during the summer, and it was very challenging to allow myself opportunities to "rest" with both boys home with me all day.  I'd also prefer to do it sooner than later because I love to garden and want to be able to get back to work in the spring months...which come early here in the South. 

I see the doctor again on January 19th.  By then I should also have results from the breast biopsy.  As I said, in the mean time, this new doctor is going to review the records of my previous surgery and the three recent ultrasound reports....hoping to come up with the best possible treatment plan. 

Back at home, ds10 has been "stuck" in quite a deep dark hole for the duration of vacation.  It's driving me crazy to keep him close and keep his world as small and safe as possible...but I don't think there's much he can handle at this time.  He's completely shutting me out, and yet he seems so fearful of the possibility that I might send him to his room to play...or somehow be away from me.  He caught wind of the idea that I might be needing surgery, and that's freaking him out.  I'd like to believe that he's worried about ME and wants to help out, but by best guess is that he recognizes that if I am incapacitated, it impacts how well I can take care of him.  He has no trust whatsoever that we can manage something like this if we need to...that we can enlist help from other people, and we can all be OK. 

I've been enjoying having bio son (12) home for Christmas break...he's teaching me how to play chess.  Staying focused on the positives!

Thanks again for the continued prayers and support.

Liz

Liz,

thanks for the update.

I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Hang in there with everything going on.  It's so hard.

blessings

Praying here too Liz!   Hope the rest of Christmas break passes safely and as peacefully as possible.   Also will pray for clear direction as to the surgery or not...take care okay?

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Liz))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Just read your prayer requests.  Prayers from here for you and your family. 

anne

Continued prayers here.  Hope this next week goes well with the boys going back to school.

Thanks for the update.  Keeps me praying for you!

Thank you all so much for the ongoing prayers and support.  The biopsy procedure this afternoon went smoothly.  I'm feeling fine...have not even used the ice pack or the Tylenol that they gave me afterward.  The doctor told me she would either have news for me by Wednesday afternoon when I go back for my wound check appointment...or perhaps sooner by phone if the results come back tomorrow. 

Liz

The doctor called me late yesterday afternoon with GREAT news!!!  No cancer...just a fibroadenoma which is apparently one of the most common types of breast tumors.  I'll have to go back in six months for a follow-up mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy procedure...but that's no problem at all.  I feel so relieved! 

Next gynecologist appointment is on Monday, January 19th to discuss surgery for the ovarian dermoid cyst and anything beyond to address recurring problematic symptoms of endometriosis.

At the very least, I am making progress getting through these appointments...and learning a lot in the process.

Liz

So glad for the good news for you!    :hello2:

Glad to hear Anne.   Hope the first week of school improves as well...

Great news Anne.  So happy for you!

After reading the last two posts, I had to do a double-take to make sure this was still my original posting.   :D   This is Liz again...checking back because I had an appointment yesterday with my gynecologist and I'm leaning toward her recommendation for a full hysterectomy.  Still waiting to set a surgery date....but hoping for something late February/early March if at all possible.  We're hoping to line up after school care for the boys...especially for ds(10.)  Given how poorly he's been handling after school hours in general, I know I'm going to need some help, especially during those first couple of weeks when I've been told to expect to feel pretty lousy.  In the mean time, I'm setting some goals for myself to make sure that I am eating healthy and getting plenty of rest and exercise leading up to the surgery.  I'll let you all know when I get a date set. 

Liz

Liz,

thanks for the update.

it is always hard to know when to schedule surgery.

when people ask me when would be good for me I always tell them

"the first day of never".

 :laughing6:

Hang in there!!!

blessings

Hope all goes well Liz....its no fun contemplating surgery.    Hope ds will fare well too.   Let us know the date so we can be praying for you.

Just another update to pass along a surgery date...Wednesday, March 4th.    

Liz

thanks Liz.

Thanks for the update Liz.  Will be praying for you.  Please keep posting updates and reminders. 

Hi again...I haven't been visiting the site as often lately, but happened to check in today and have a little time to post some updates. 

I've had some good news today.  I had contacted another parent from my older son's school to see if she could possibly transport ds12 home at the end of the school days until I am able to drive again.  She got back to me today with an email that she'd be happy to help out.  So...that's a huge relief because not only does it mean that we don't have to look into after school care for ds12, but also that he'll be able to come home after school and can help me out as needed.

As for ds10...I've been trying to implement a specific after school schedule for him, and it has its pros and cons.  On the up side...as long as I can keep him fairly busy, he doesn't have a lot of wiggle room to be anxious.  I've purchased some kid-friendly exercise dvds and have been having him do one of those first thing when he comes home...followed by a shower...followed by some reading time...followed by some quite play time until dinner.  The down side is that he still relies on me for too much as far as giving the directions and getting things set up for him.  Part of that is his immaturity--he functions more on the level of a five or six year old so he requires a lot more supervision than a typical kid his age.  Part of it is just his general insecurity and inability to think for himself.  And, part of it is the fact that I can't write out a schedule for him in advance because anytime he knows what's coming up next, he gets freaked out or has that familiar tendency to sabotage the plan.  I have to be somewhat spontaneous...or at least seem to be...so that he can't mess up my plan. 

At least if ds12 can be home after school too, I can ask for his help with the transitions from one activity to another.  My husband is also looking at options for private after school care for ds10 just in case all signs are pointing toward trouble if we try to keep him home while I am recuperating.  He's got a lead on one smaller facility that would transport ds after school to the center...provide care up until 6:00 if needed, and apparently they already have some kids with special needs.  DH is going to try to visit the center soon and check it out to see if this might be a good fit.  We may opt to use it at least for the first couple of weeks until I feel more ready to manage having ds home again.

On a brighter note, I've been planning ahead for things to do while I am recuperating.  I've got yarn to knit a sweater, and yarn for a pretty floral afghan to crochet.  My mom had given me a table cloth and napkin set to embroider, and I picked up all the embroidery floss that I'll need for that.  I've also purchased a few books that I'm looking forward to reading, and I've been recording classic movies that I can look forward to watching.  I've been cooking quite a bit lately, and have had left-overs to put in the freezer for some nice meals that will be easy to reheat.  If it weren't for the reality of the physical discomfort that I am anticipating, this would almost feel like a vacation.  I'm trying to give myself lots of things to look forward to.

Liz

Liz,

thanks for the update.

Have been thinking of you.

Praying all goes well.

blessings

Liz, all the planning sounds good.  Please do keep us up to date with things.  Hope and pray it all goes as smoothly as possible.

Just realized I hit the wrong button for this.

I read this late and March  has come and gone.

How did it go Liz?

NW

Never miind, found the update. glad all went well
NW