I tried 2 times tuesday to publish my history, only to lose it. I think it will go thru this time so here it goes again. This is for my girls b/c they will need to know my history so they'll know what to be aware of.
I started my period at age 12. They were irregular, about 5-6 week s apart, very painful with lower back pain and abdominal cramps, and lasted about 7 days. I even vomited unexpectedly one time and I was sure it was the period and nothing else.
At age 23 I tried getting pregnant and it took a year which I think was b/c of my periods. After having the girls my periods were fantastic! No pain! I could even predict the exact date and almost the exact hour when I would start, plus, the periods only lasted about 4-5 days. Wow!
After we moved to Hutsonville, I went to a gynie in TH b/c of watery discharge. I hate having wet underwear and I was self-conscious that people could smell it. THe Dr. did cryosurgery in his office which did not feel good and I don't think it worked. I didn't go back to him b/c he skipped town. I read in the paper where the law was after him for financial fraud. In my mid 30s, around 1986, I started bleeding heavily and constantly. I bled nonstop for 3 years. At my period time the flow would be extremely heavy causing me to use a tampon and heavy duty pad and having to change it frequently. When my period should have stopped, I would drip or spot. Call it what you want.
During that time I did go see another gynie in TH at AP&S clinic. I was not pleased. He came in the examining room, took a look-see inside (didn't even feel around) and said I was bleeding. Oh Duh!. THat's why I was there. It seemed like he was afraid to get his fingers dirty. He said I needed a D&C. I asked what if that didn't stop the bleeding and he said then he would do tests to figure out what was going on. I decided not to have it done b/c I believed he should have done ultrasound and blood work to see if I really did need the D&C. He never explained a cause for the bleeding or his reason why he thought the D&C was the cure. Eventually after 3 years and much prayer, the periods went back to the way they were but not the perfect way.
I did start having lower back pain and abdominal cramping. Same-o, same-o. Late 40s I went thru the menopausal changes of intense hot flashes (the sweat would run down my face making my collar and shirt wet), night sweats, thinning hair on top, less elastic skin, weaker muscles, etc. THe periods slowed way down but never actually stopped.
At age 50, my dr. said my uterus was enlarged and ordered an ultrasound. She then referred me to a gynie. I went to one in Vincennes who ran a battery of tests and another ultrasound. Those tests hurt b/c she was taking samples. Ouch! I called a week later and was told everything was normal. So I didn't think anymore about it. Just accepted that I would drip until my body decided to stop. I really thought the spotting and watery discharge were probably fibroids or polyps that would eventually dry up.
January 08 I had my routine exams done and in the process requested a urine test b/c I had been noticing a little stinging sometimes when urinating. THe test revealed an infection and blood in my urine. Three more tests still showed the blood so I was referred to a urologist. THe urologist said it was possible that the vaginal dripping was contaminating the urine. He didn't cath me to get a clean sample of urine but he did suggest I follow up with CT scan and other test either thru him or a gynie. I chose to go to Dr. Walsh in robinson b/c he is a urogynocologist and a couple of my clients had liked him.
At the first visit he said I was post-menopausal, which I argued about, and that it was most likely endometrial cancer. I immediately said it wasn't. I actually got irritated at him for throwing out the "C" word when he hadn't done any hormone tests to prove whether I was thru the change or not. THe CT scan showed I had a small kidney stone which was probably the cause of the blood in urine and that my endometrium was too thick. So now I was finally going to get that D&C with a hysteroscopy. Even the day of that surgery he told me the procedure for taking care of cancer. He was so sure. THat was May 16.
When I got home from work on Wed. 21 there were 5 calls from Walsh's office and the next day before I had a chance to call his office, he called me.He asked me to come in and I asked if I had cancer. He said I did which I was glad he answered my question. I hate it when dr.s will try to control a situation and delay giving patients information. He asked if I had someone I could bring with me but I said no. I know Denny would have dropped everything and come but I knew that would make me too vulnerable and I wanted to be in control of my emotions. I was.
After I hung up the phone I almost cried. I felt the urge to cry and tears tried to form but I didn't cry. I did let out a little wimper and then went back to cutting my hair. I had been in the process of giving myself a new do.
At the Dr.s office he explained the reason for sending my to Indy to IU. That was fine with me. I could have chosen either Indy or St Louis. Fortuately I got an appt for the next day on Friday 23 and met with the oncologist. An exam was done by Dr. Jeanne Schilder and her 2 students and the surgery explained. I was supposed to be called yesterday telling me when my surgery was scheduled but they didnt' call. I had to call them only to be told I won't know until the end of this week.
So that is my story up to this point.
Posted
May 28 2008, 11:51 AM
by
mumzi