Monday, June 28, 2010

The Waiting Game Revisited

Before I start posting awesome vacation pictures this week, I wanted to bring you up to speed on what's been going on with me for this past month. About a month ago I went in for my annual trans-vaginal (internal) ultra sound and my CA125 (tumor marker) blood test. My half sister has ovarian cancer...she has for a number of years now. There isn't a good test yet for early detection of this horrible cancer, so what they have at this time is what I do each and every year.

When I was having my ultra sound, I knew something wasn't right. The tech was taking so much time and seemed to be zoned in on one area. She did different things than I've had done before. I was scared.

So that you don't get freaked out before I finish the story....I do NOT have ovarian cancer.

I waited and waited and waited for the results.

When the results finally came in, the nurse said that the doctor wanted me to make an appointment to come in to talk to her about them. RED FLAG!!! I never have to go in to talk about test results. I told the nurse I would gladly do that, but could she read me what the report says......

To make a long story short, my uterine wall has thickened. It was thicker last year, but no further testing was recommended so we didn't do any. This time it was even thicker and they did recommend further testing. I went in to see the doctor and we scheduled a hysteroscopy (where they look inside your uterus) and a D & C (where they scrape the walls of the uterus). Everything they remove is sent to the lab for biopsy.

I had that done one the 15th. While I was at the hospital, my blood pressure was really high....so high that they gave me meds for it twice. (Not a good thing when I just got weaned off the meds and my pressure hasn't been all that great since going off....but that's another story for a different day).

Irv and I thought about canceling our vacation because the results wouldn't be in until the day before we were suppose to leave. Would I want to find out I had some kind of cancer and then go on vacation the next day? Probably not.....but we decided to wait and see.

The doctor removed three polyps, but said that she saw nothing that concerned her. We just had to wait for the results. Well they came the day before our vacation and everything was benign. It was a good day. :)

I do have to go in and see her in a couple of weeks, because the fact that my uterine wall is too thick is an open invitation for abnormal cell growth and that is a serious concern. I have no idea what the treatment options will be, but my guess is some type of hormones or a hysterectomy....and I could be totally wrong, but that is just my guess.

It's has been a month of waiting and wondering. For the most part I stayed in control....but my mind often wandered and that is never a good thing when you are waiting for test results. All of this is part of the reason that I am not going to blog every day for a while. I am drained...mentally and I just have other things that I want and need to be doing right now. I have a shower to prepare for, walking and physical therapy to do, my etsy shop to tend to and a summer to enjoy.

So, how are you when you are waiting for news? A nervous wreck, cool as a cucumber or somewhere in between? I was somewhere in between...leaning slightly toward the nervous wreck side this time. I was a bit disappointed in myself for that. I am usually very much in control....to a fault in fact. HAHA!

I will be reading blogs, but maybe not writing or commenting as much as usual during this next month as I get ready for the shower and work on fourdogday...but I will be here.

Make it a good one and do something really nice for yourself today.

17 comments:

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

I am so glad it's not cancer! Hopefully the treatment will not be too bad and make everything right again.

Sherry said...

Kathy, no matter how many deep breaths I take, when I am waiting fro something to happen or waiting for results my heart is always pounding. I'm never exactly myself.

I think it has to do with what is beyond our control. It's not a good way to live. I don't think those people on Okinawa( longest lived on earth) live that way.

I am not sure what the answer is, but I'm going to practice more deep breaths and send peaceful healing your way.

xoSherry

Lanyardlady said...

Thank goodness you got good news. The waiting is nerve-wracking. I try to focus my thoughts elsewhere but it's always on my mind. Be good to yourself!

Cathryn said...

Waiting for news that impacts our health is never good. I try NOT to think about the possible results but then I go ahead and do it anyway. It's human nature, I guess. I also try to focus my energies on something else while playing the waiting game--cleaning house, some craft project, or preparing for the next semester.

*Zen Hugs Kathy* I'm with you on this one.

Anonymous said...

Oh Kathy, I am glad you results leaned towards the positive side and that you were able to enjoy your vacation.

I 100% understand the waiting and the worry. You know I am waiting and trying not to worry about my own health stuff and it isn't easy. But we are human and it is expected.

I don't post everyday either and I am OK with that. My readers seem OK with that too. =)

Care for yourself and I will keep you in my thoughts.

DUTA said...

Waiting can do as much harm as bad findings.
The key to health is, in my opinion, reducing of pressure and stress in daily life and that includes minimizing the number and frequency of tests.

Have a wonderful summer!

Amy said...

I'm really relieved this was good news... and it's so great that you are getting tested and taking necessary steps to keep yourself healthy. That is great!

LiPeony said...

so glad that it wasn't cancer ^-^! I would be a nervous wreak as I'm a pretty jumpy person even if I don't show it... take care of yourself and I wish you guys the best of health and life =D

Unknown said...

Kathy,
I'm so glad you don't have cancer! I do understand all that you've been going thru and can totally understand why you want to focus on other things, primarily yourself. And that's a good thing! I hope things continue to go well for you health-wise. Take care and let us know how you're doing!!

Nancy

Anonymous said...

Good luck. I'm glad the news was positive, but how hard to wait and see, right? And scary, too.

PussDaddy said...

Boy you went thru a lot huh? It is good it isn't cancer tho. Yes stuff like this is traumatic for me too and I was sick for a while and kept shutting my blog on and off to deal with it. Blogging isn't really important, but feeling well is, so do whatever you have to do to gather your thoughts and stuff back up and feel better. I hope you get to feeling better.

PussDaddy

Bluebell said...

Hi Kathy, so glad you had such good news, I am a complete wreck when I am waiting for results which I have been doing over the last two weeks, I have not been feeling right for the last 12 months and two drs. have taken blood tests and not followed up but this time the Dr. did follow up and I have tested positive for Rheumatoid Arthritis which is what has been making me feel so tired and low but it is such a relief to know what is wrong, I was so scared and I started to ask god to let me see Kate get married before I bit the dust so the relief is wonderful I just have to get myself sorted out now. You take care
Love Jillxx

Oklahoma Granny said...

So glad the news was good for you. I'm not very good at waiting for test results.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Kathy,
Glad it wasn't a diagnosis of cancer. Sorry you have to continue dealing with issues, but it's good that you are taking time to do what needs to be done.

Silke Powers said...

I am so glad that you are ok, Theresa! I am not sure how I missed this post! The waiting is the worst! I am having my annual mammogram in an hour and I know that I'll be slightly distracted until I get the follow-up phone call. It sounds like you did very well with the waiting considering! And I'm glad you are having fun on your vacation!! Love, Silke

gayle said...

Kathy, I am so glad you don't have cancer!! I know you had to be worried sick!!! I tend to be ocd so I know I would have been a mental case!! Have a great vacation and do what you need to do. I don't blog everyday and lately I have been having major problems just reading blogs!! I haven't posted anything in weeks. We just got back from a taking a week vacation in TN and I have so much catching up to do in real life. Just take care of you!!

jdavissquared said...

Cathy, so sorry you've been dealing with all that! Glad your results were good. You just take care of yourself, and visit when you want to! take care, and God bless!

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