Going to read up as much as I can, and of course ask my ReproEndoGuy (TM) as much as I can. I wonder about what percentage of PCOS "cysters" end up with this.
In the meantime, at least I have a good starting point for info and support. A person following me on Twitter provided this link. It is useful enough for me to ask about artery embolization.
http://www.adenomyosisadviceassociation.org
And on a related note: Not only was my sister diagnosed w/PCOS years before me and never mentioned it (so that I might, yanno, get tested and TREATED for it), she also allegedly has something "endometrial" going on, and again, no mention of it. I get diagnosed, I tell everyone to raise awareness. Keeping shit to yourself when it might help others is nothing more than a tacit fuck you, you're on your own.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Crisis.
Existential.
And no, I won't just accept it. Whatever IT is. The crisis hasn't even been fully realized/actualized yet. Too much to process.
And no, I won't just accept it. Whatever IT is. The crisis hasn't even been fully realized/actualized yet. Too much to process.
Friday, February 24, 2012
A Dx. Finally.
Got the Dx. from NewGyno(tm): Adenomyosis and a polyp.
Polyp is scheduled to be removed on 3/13.
All I managed to ask today (I'm now an emotional wreck) is, "Is it life threatening?" (Answer: No; however, after I Wiki'd adenomyosis, I now have two follow up questions: 1. Will this affect my fertility? 2. At what point would hysterectomy be necessary? And I guess there's a third follow up question: 3. What percentage of women end up with endometrial or other uterine cancers as a result of this?
Polyp is scheduled to be removed on 3/13.
All I managed to ask today (I'm now an emotional wreck) is, "Is it life threatening?" (Answer: No; however, after I Wiki'd adenomyosis, I now have two follow up questions: 1. Will this affect my fertility? 2. At what point would hysterectomy be necessary? And I guess there's a third follow up question: 3. What percentage of women end up with endometrial or other uterine cancers as a result of this?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Totally Un-related: No Poo
I've decided to attempt to go shampoo free for a while. My scalp is in agony.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Today: Yet Another Ultrasound
So today I spent my lunch hour undergoing yet another ultrasound, as the ultrasound from WTFFGyno(TM) was so colossally fucked up and poorly written NewGyno(tm) could not figure out: 1. If I even had a fibroid at all; and 2. If so, where was the location of it? So we could not even plan a course of action without these very crucial details.
So off I scampered to the imaging center, with a nearly-too-full bladder. They took me in immediately. I remember the technician from another diagnostic I had not that long ago. "Dry" and professional would be how I'd define her. I guess good qualities to have in her line of work.
She got me in and out in under 20 minutes. And when nothing conclusive showed up on the regular ultrasound, she suggested having a trans-vaginal, just to be sure.
Preliminary result: No fibroids were spotted. WTFF? So WTFFGyno(tm) scared the shit out of me, unnecessarily so, by putting the cart before the horse w/the Novasure ablation shit without even discussing if I wanted to have kids or not, when her own report was so fucking vague she didn't know conclusively if I had fibroids or not... yet she already had her mind made up as to what HER course of action for MY uterus was going to be? Just fucking infuriates me to no end.
So here I sit, waiting for NewGyno(tm) to call with the official results.
So off I scampered to the imaging center, with a nearly-too-full bladder. They took me in immediately. I remember the technician from another diagnostic I had not that long ago. "Dry" and professional would be how I'd define her. I guess good qualities to have in her line of work.
She got me in and out in under 20 minutes. And when nothing conclusive showed up on the regular ultrasound, she suggested having a trans-vaginal, just to be sure.
Preliminary result: No fibroids were spotted. WTFF? So WTFFGyno(tm) scared the shit out of me, unnecessarily so, by putting the cart before the horse w/the Novasure ablation shit without even discussing if I wanted to have kids or not, when her own report was so fucking vague she didn't know conclusively if I had fibroids or not... yet she already had her mind made up as to what HER course of action for MY uterus was going to be? Just fucking infuriates me to no end.
So here I sit, waiting for NewGyno(tm) to call with the official results.
Never Gave It Much Thought
Never gave my supplements much thought. Here's my magnesium and a vitamin C, both measure roughly an inch, and yet I'm able to get it thru my stoma. Not sure if it's how I swallow them down, or that I take hot coffee with them, but I'm able to get them in there, without blockage or discomfort or without regurgitating them back up.I'm 13 months out from RnY.
YMMV.
Everyone's journey is different.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Today: Endocrinologist & Sausagefest
That's all. Heading into NYC (yet again, a third time in about a week, for yet another doctor appointment) this time to see my endocrinologist.
Afterwards, I'm hanging with a friend for a bit, and will grab lunch. German wursts are the bests!
Afterwards, I'm hanging with a friend for a bit, and will grab lunch. German wursts are the bests!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Recap: The New Gyno
This morning, I decided to do something a little bit outside my comfort zone. Not sure of the motivation, but it was something I've been reluctant to do on my many trips to NYC, especially the trips into the city which are way uptown: Rather than go the "safe route" or the expected route, or the route I ALWAYS take (i.e. get off at GCT, then take the subway, either the 1 or the 6 depending), I decided to get off at the (East) 125th Street station and then take the subway nearby. The alternative would be for me to get off at GCT, then take the subway back up town about 50 blocks; getting off at 125th meant I had to take roughly 30 blocks downtown.
I know, such a trivial difference, amounting to all of about 20 blocks I saved. It just seemed the most direct route.
The issue, the "outside my comfort zone," regarding 125th is, to me, until today, it's been a great unknown. Plus it's Harlem, which despite the best intentions gentrification has to offer, still hasn't made me feel all that much more safe or confident about getting off at 125th as an option.
But like anything else, hopefully, this will become part of my routine. And silly as it might seem, I did manage to have some sense of accomplishment, that I was able to negotiate which direction to walk/take upon exiting the train station to get to the subway platform. I was thinking surely the subway platform was reachable at the 125th station, but glad I did my homework via Google Maps and realize that wasn't the case. Google maps' street view is an awesome feature, and I was able to landmark two businesses, so I could get my bearings.
Such a nervous nellie, but safety is always on my mind, and I tend not to leave too many things to chance.
So, today's appointment was with my new gynecologist. This is the gynecologist with whom I will be doing my follow up re: the fibroid (tho we're not even sure if it even IS a fibroid).
As I suspected, the ultrasound and pap and other records from the gyno I saw in September never were forwarded to the new doctor, despite me jumping thru their little hoops and filling out the release paperwork in November. This is reason #2 I won't be doing follow up at that office: slip shod admin staff.
So we were "shooting blind" as it were during the consultation. The doctor arranged to have the ultrasound paperwork faxed, so I sat and crocheted while we waited for the paperwork to come in.
This proved to be a colossal waste of time, as the ultrasound report was so SHITTY, so poorly worded and lacking in crucial information (i.e. location of the fibroid), and also made some indication about a growth, but nothing conclusive which we could actually formulate a plan of action around. This is reason #3 why I will not be doing follow up with the previous doctor.
An Rx was written for a pelvic ultrasound, and while I was in the city I texted my husband, who kindly set up an appt for me for Tuesday during my lunch, otherwise, I'd have to wait until Tuesday itself to call and arrange an appointment, and I didn't want to lose precious time to make the appointment, especially given this is going to be a long holiday weekend.
The doctor seemed affable enough and receptive to what is going on with my life and health, and actually reassured me that whatever this is, if it is a fibroid or a polyp, it will be treatable and most likely benign.
So, hurry up and wait until Tuesday. Hopefully I'll know something conclusive by the end of next week or the following Monday.
Sad thing is, the first gyno in question, the shitty gyno, was recommended to me by a good friend. I feel I cannot even tell my friend about what's-what from today's appointment. I don't want her to feel as if whatever dissatisfaction I feel towards the gyno is in any way reflected on her, as she's the one who recommended the gyno to me in the first place. But I really feel like she should explore her options and find a new gyno, because this one so very obviously has her own ideas and agenda as it pertains to the health of her patients, and I dare say it's to their detriment. Color me, unimpressed (with her).
However disappointed I was with today's outcome, as I was hoping to get a plan of action started today, I feel my gut instinct really was validated today, and I did the right thing for me and my health, to seek out another doctor.
I know, such a trivial difference, amounting to all of about 20 blocks I saved. It just seemed the most direct route.
The issue, the "outside my comfort zone," regarding 125th is, to me, until today, it's been a great unknown. Plus it's Harlem, which despite the best intentions gentrification has to offer, still hasn't made me feel all that much more safe or confident about getting off at 125th as an option.
But like anything else, hopefully, this will become part of my routine. And silly as it might seem, I did manage to have some sense of accomplishment, that I was able to negotiate which direction to walk/take upon exiting the train station to get to the subway platform. I was thinking surely the subway platform was reachable at the 125th station, but glad I did my homework via Google Maps and realize that wasn't the case. Google maps' street view is an awesome feature, and I was able to landmark two businesses, so I could get my bearings.
Such a nervous nellie, but safety is always on my mind, and I tend not to leave too many things to chance.
So, today's appointment was with my new gynecologist. This is the gynecologist with whom I will be doing my follow up re: the fibroid (tho we're not even sure if it even IS a fibroid).
As I suspected, the ultrasound and pap and other records from the gyno I saw in September never were forwarded to the new doctor, despite me jumping thru their little hoops and filling out the release paperwork in November. This is reason #2 I won't be doing follow up at that office: slip shod admin staff.
So we were "shooting blind" as it were during the consultation. The doctor arranged to have the ultrasound paperwork faxed, so I sat and crocheted while we waited for the paperwork to come in.
This proved to be a colossal waste of time, as the ultrasound report was so SHITTY, so poorly worded and lacking in crucial information (i.e. location of the fibroid), and also made some indication about a growth, but nothing conclusive which we could actually formulate a plan of action around. This is reason #3 why I will not be doing follow up with the previous doctor.
So the recap of reasons why I won't go back to her:So rather than today being merely a step in the process by which to get this taken care of, we ended up back tracking, and today ended up being the first step of a NEW process.
1. Shitty "stirrup side demeanor" coupled up with the callousness of scaring me re: handing me a Novasure pamphlet without even: 1. Knowing with certainty I even have a fibroid etc; and 2. Not even asking me if I want to have kids or not, as the Novasure would take that option away from me, irrevocably;
2. Shitty admin follow up for a simple records release request;
3. Shitty, vague and inconclusive report writing, which a direct result is me having to waste a perfectly good lunch hour at an imaging center to get yet another ultrasound done.
An Rx was written for a pelvic ultrasound, and while I was in the city I texted my husband, who kindly set up an appt for me for Tuesday during my lunch, otherwise, I'd have to wait until Tuesday itself to call and arrange an appointment, and I didn't want to lose precious time to make the appointment, especially given this is going to be a long holiday weekend.
The doctor seemed affable enough and receptive to what is going on with my life and health, and actually reassured me that whatever this is, if it is a fibroid or a polyp, it will be treatable and most likely benign.
So, hurry up and wait until Tuesday. Hopefully I'll know something conclusive by the end of next week or the following Monday.
Sad thing is, the first gyno in question, the shitty gyno, was recommended to me by a good friend. I feel I cannot even tell my friend about what's-what from today's appointment. I don't want her to feel as if whatever dissatisfaction I feel towards the gyno is in any way reflected on her, as she's the one who recommended the gyno to me in the first place. But I really feel like she should explore her options and find a new gyno, because this one so very obviously has her own ideas and agenda as it pertains to the health of her patients, and I dare say it's to their detriment. Color me, unimpressed (with her).
However disappointed I was with today's outcome, as I was hoping to get a plan of action started today, I feel my gut instinct really was validated today, and I did the right thing for me and my health, to seek out another doctor.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
One Year
Had my one year follow up visit with the surgeon.
He and his PA or is she a NP?, both seem pleased with my progress. Lost 21 lbs since the last time I saw them, tho it's been like 3 months, and I really wish it were more.
Nothing new to report. Follow up w/them again in six months, which brings me close to my birthday.
He and his PA or is she a NP?, both seem pleased with my progress. Lost 21 lbs since the last time I saw them, tho it's been like 3 months, and I really wish it were more.
Nothing new to report. Follow up w/them again in six months, which brings me close to my birthday.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Gravitational Stalemate
No loss.
No gain.
Tho did show a 3 lb loss once I returned from India, the after-effects of pneumonia.
Things are slowing down now.
I'd be happy if I could dump off another 25. Then I can just coast on thru on autopilot.
And maybe explore pilates or something for toning. It's just this damned pain issue...
No gain.
Tho did show a 3 lb loss once I returned from India, the after-effects of pneumonia.
Things are slowing down now.
I'd be happy if I could dump off another 25. Then I can just coast on thru on autopilot.
And maybe explore pilates or something for toning. It's just this damned pain issue...
Monday, January 30, 2012
January's Just Not My Month.
1/10-1/21 India
1/23-Current writing, been vexed with both pneumonia and the after effects of pneumonia.
1/29 Though I was having mid-cycle (22nd day) spotting.
1/30 I was incorrect. Cramps in full force.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat.
On an upnote, due to the dehydration and just lack of eating from all the coughing (and all the sleeping), I seem to have broken my pre-India weight-loss plateau. Let's wait and see what THIS Friday brings. I'll believe the plateau has broken, if this week shows the same loss if not more, than last week's.
PS: Lot of "good" (dripping with sarcasm here) that influenza vaccination did. Managed to catch some andromeda strain on the flight from Chennai to Frankfurt. Bastards!
1/23-Current writing, been vexed with both pneumonia and the after effects of pneumonia.
1/29 Though I was having mid-cycle (22nd day) spotting.
1/30 I was incorrect. Cramps in full force.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat.
On an upnote, due to the dehydration and just lack of eating from all the coughing (and all the sleeping), I seem to have broken my pre-India weight-loss plateau. Let's wait and see what THIS Friday brings. I'll believe the plateau has broken, if this week shows the same loss if not more, than last week's.
PS: Lot of "good" (dripping with sarcasm here) that influenza vaccination did. Managed to catch some andromeda strain on the flight from Chennai to Frankfurt. Bastards!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 06, 2012
Monday, January 02, 2012
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Pressure Check
Went yesterday. 112/70.
Only medication I'm on is my quinapril.
Internist thinks my desire to lose another 30-40 is unrealistic. He thinks 25 maximum, otherwise he thinks I'd be too slight. Funny thing is, losing 25# only puts me at 170, which isn't "slight." But I guess for my frame, he might be right.
Only medication I'm on is my quinapril.
Internist thinks my desire to lose another 30-40 is unrealistic. He thinks 25 maximum, otherwise he thinks I'd be too slight. Funny thing is, losing 25# only puts me at 170, which isn't "slight." But I guess for my frame, he might be right.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Need a New Habit
Really have to get myself out of the habit of being awake all hours of the night, despite the fact that's when I feel most alive and creative, during the part of the day when most of the world (or at least in my time zone, that is) is asleep.
The longer I am up, the more calories I consume as a result of my pattern of eating every 3 hours.
I need to start getting into the habit, to mentally prepare to relax. Debating the merits of taking a hot shower after dinner, switching to herbal (or at the very least, peppermint) tea rather than drinking coffee, and popping a melatonin for the first few days to get me into the routine.
There's not all that much on t.v. I find fascinating, so it's not like I'm up watching t.v. I'm usually up online, chatting, surfing, playing games etc, and finding it harder and harder to get to sleep, and finding that my weight loss progress has stalled.
This needs to change.
TONIGHT.
The longer I am up, the more calories I consume as a result of my pattern of eating every 3 hours.
I need to start getting into the habit, to mentally prepare to relax. Debating the merits of taking a hot shower after dinner, switching to herbal (or at the very least, peppermint) tea rather than drinking coffee, and popping a melatonin for the first few days to get me into the routine.
There's not all that much on t.v. I find fascinating, so it's not like I'm up watching t.v. I'm usually up online, chatting, surfing, playing games etc, and finding it harder and harder to get to sleep, and finding that my weight loss progress has stalled.
This needs to change.
TONIGHT.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
And then there was one...
One prescription, that is.
I was on metformin, and tricor, and effexor, and spironolactone.
Now, I'm just on my blood pressure pill, quinipril (and occasionally ultracet or lortab for pain).
Feeling a bit accomplished. THIS is what was MY objective. Not a dress size. Not a gravitational pull. To get off Big Pharma's teat. *SIGH* Now if only I could get off this one, too.
I was on metformin, and tricor, and effexor, and spironolactone.
Now, I'm just on my blood pressure pill, quinipril (and occasionally ultracet or lortab for pain).
Feeling a bit accomplished. THIS is what was MY objective. Not a dress size. Not a gravitational pull. To get off Big Pharma's teat. *SIGH* Now if only I could get off this one, too.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Shots, Clots and More
Weight: 196
Went to internist for a few vaccinations for a trip which will happen sooner than later. Got a flu shot too, just because. I do believe it's the first flu shot I've ever gotten in 43 yrs. Wild!
Internist decided to take me off my spironolactone. I go back in 2 weeks to check my pressure and to see if I end up with edema. The suspicion is I"ll be okay. The added suspicion is that the spironolactone might be contributing to my gout flares.
Onset day! Yay! Which if I'm at a 22-25 day cycle will put my next onset day at... Christmas, which means it should be over (enough) in time for my appointment with my new gyno on January 6th. Hope to get the fibroid issue addressed and come up with a plan of action then. In a considerable amount of pain.
Go back to internist on 1/7 for the follow up shot for one of the Heps (don't remember if it's A or B); and also talk about anti-malarials. When I think of anti-malarials, it makes me think my upcoming trip will be far more adventurous than it'll be.
Stay tuned.
Went to internist for a few vaccinations for a trip which will happen sooner than later. Got a flu shot too, just because. I do believe it's the first flu shot I've ever gotten in 43 yrs. Wild!
Internist decided to take me off my spironolactone. I go back in 2 weeks to check my pressure and to see if I end up with edema. The suspicion is I"ll be okay. The added suspicion is that the spironolactone might be contributing to my gout flares.
Onset day! Yay! Which if I'm at a 22-25 day cycle will put my next onset day at... Christmas, which means it should be over (enough) in time for my appointment with my new gyno on January 6th. Hope to get the fibroid issue addressed and come up with a plan of action then. In a considerable amount of pain.
Go back to internist on 1/7 for the follow up shot for one of the Heps (don't remember if it's A or B); and also talk about anti-malarials. When I think of anti-malarials, it makes me think my upcoming trip will be far more adventurous than it'll be.
Stay tuned.
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