Thankfully, this post isn’t going to be nearly as dramatic as the last one (translation: Prepare to be bored).
I got my second opinion on the whole am-I-dying-or-is-this-just-a-paper-cut thing. Actually, it was a third opinion. Maybe a fourth. The ER doctor, then the gynecologist, then the gynecological oncologist and now, this fabulous new doctor lady.
If you want to stop reading here, I’ll cut to the chase: I’M FINE!!! If you want the details, read on.
I immediately fell in love with New Doctor, because A: she’s from Memphis, B: she has great credentials and C: she agreed with everything I said and seconded my opinion of the other doctor’s opinion, which went along the lines of “Whoa there, bucko. Not so fast .”
If I had listened to that oncologist, I’d be writing this while recuperating from a complete hysterectomy. I’d be ovary-less, uterus-less and possibly cervix-less. I’d also be useless for quite some time.
This new doctor listened—really listened to my concerns. She was almost as puzzled as I was by the fact that Doctor Oncology was so eager to remove my lady junk, instead of just having a look-see and removing the offending cyst. “But,” she explained, “he is an oncologist, and when they see elevated tumor markers and high white counts, they just want to quickly get everything out of there. It’s what they’re trained to do.” She agreed that it was overkill though, and thought that I was right in waiting to see if things would level out. And they did!!!
New Doctor sent me for a new ultrasound. I lay there on the little table, squinting at the screen, looking for the tangerine-sized cyst that had nested near my ovaries. The technician searched high and low, but there was no fruit-sized growth anywhere to be seen. Not even a raisin. Poof! It was gone!
I almost danced back to the exam room, and had to hold myself back from hugging the doctor. She said that sometimes, cysts rupture and actually eat themselves. I can’t think too hard about how that works or my head will start hurting, but I’ll go with her explanation.
In layman’s terms, my cyst went BLAM! As Ricky Ricardo would say, it “sploded.”
A week prior to this exam, we had some friends over for a cutthroat game of Monopoly (we’re so wild). I swear I’m not just saying this because Amadeus was winning, but late into the evening, I became extremely ill– faint and nauseous and I think I frightened our guests. Amadeus and I discussed whether or not to go back to the ER. Again, I’m thankful that we didn’t, because I’m thinking they’d have hysterectomized me on the spot. But looking back, I think that’s when the cyst ‘splosion took place. I was really sick for a few days afterward, but gradually I began feeling better. Wow.
I got my blood test results a few days ago. My CR 125 (tumor markers) came back perfect. My white count is perfect. I’m in menopause, which sucks, but I’ll take hot flashes over cancer any day.
I have to post some happy words here. Joy!! Delight!! Yay!! Yippee!! Cake!!
The last order of business is seeing a gastroenterologist. My new, amazing, Memphisy doctor says that although things look good from a stirrups perspective, my tummy’s still messed up and we have to figure out why. I promise not to update you with the details of any procedures that might take place.
I’m so ready to get back on track. It’s been a depressingly horrible couple of months, save for that whole marrying-the-best-guy-in-the-world deal. For a while there, I considered the ironic nature of my life, and how àpropos it would be that I married the Love of My Life, then kicked the bucket two weeks later. Kind of the ultimate good news/ bad news situation.
I don’t recommend waiting out a cyst, because cyst ‘splosions can be life-threatening. In my case, it worked out fine, but I was lucky. Stupid, poor and lucky.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Go with your gut. Don’t risk your life, but listen to that little squeaky voice inside. Do research. I felt at the beginning that this was gastro-related. We got sidelined by the cyst and the fever, then those pesky tumor markers and white counts. In reading about all of this, I found that tumor markers can be elevated by infections (had one) and endometriosis (got it), and that the Mirena IUD (had that too) can cause cysts and infections. I was prescribed four types of antibiotics (a couple so strong that they’re given to people who’ve been exposed to anthrax), and I wondered if the tumor markers and the white count would return to normal after I completed those rounds. They did. In the end, I’m glad we had to wait for my insurance coverage. It bought me time, and time heals some wounds. It healed these.
My husband has given me many gifts since we met. Some are tangible, some are not, but one of the best so far was this gift of a second opinion. I’ll never be able thank him enough. It confirms my belief that I married the kindest man in the world. I don’t need a second opinion on that.
Thanks for taking this latest ride on the rollercoaster with me. I’m sorry if I scared you. We were scared too.
I’m reading and typing this on my phone, without glAses so all Ill say is YAY!!!!
NOw go forth and enjoy!!
I got a great mental picture of you blindly typing this on your phone, Ann. Thanks for the YAY!!!
I am so glad that everything worked out, it was scary to read but it must have been hell for you…thank you for sharing your story
Thank YOU for reading it, Linda.
Wonderful news. I am so glad that you and hubby (lol) navigated your way through this. So many others may have taken some wrong turnings – you guys did brilliantly.
We navigated it like two blind people driving a semi on the freeway, but we’ve almost made it home! Thanks, (((Pat))).
This is wonderful news! I was praying for a complete healing!
God Bless!!
I think the prayers definitely helped, Heather. At any rate, they never hurt. Thank you!!
Geez what’s next, the LOTTERY?! I am so happy for you (and your HUSBAND) many times over!
Ooooh, the lottery would be nice! Thank you, (((Kim))).
So happy and relieved for you both. Please thank Mr. Nice Guy McQueen for me.
Us too, Mr. P! I will definitely thank Mr. McQueen, but I won’t call him “Nice Guy” because he’ll get all grumpy. I don’t think he wants anyone to know. He’s a secret marshmallow. Hugs to you!
I’m SO relieved for you and your hubby! Now to get back into life and continue your happiness!
Thanks, Irene! I’m ready!
Menopause isn’t THAT bad. You learn to live with it. Hopefully, you won’t have really bad hot flashes or mood swings.
I’m so glad you’re ok!!
So take a weekend, shut off the phones, grab some movies and just snuggle with hubby…that’s honeymoon enough!
I like your honeymoon plans!
That IUD was hormonal, and now that they’ve removed it, I seem to be mightily into menopause. Hot flashes suck, I’m moody, but I know it’s just a temporary thing, which helps. At least it gives me fodder for writing.
How wonderful. Whew! What a relief. I would use expletives, but I’ve been so busy with Occupy Portland (we’re begin evicted tomorrow, all hell is breaking loose here!) that I’m even censoring my THOUGHTS for nonviolence. But I am so happy to hear this.
((((Kendall))))– since I’m not involved in Occupy Portland, I’m going to cuss for you:
Holy shit! I’m so fucking happy! I was so damned scared!
There. How was that?
I have to look up what’s going on there. Again, thank you for what you’re doing for us 99%.
So glad you are fine! And married! And happy! And boo to the tummy issues still lingering. Here’s to hoping they are as benign as the cyst. (BTW, my daughters and I have all suffered from cysts ‘sploding. They suck and hurt big time. So I know how you must have felt.)
Hugs. Gush. More hugs. Thank you, Claire. Yeah. My tummy is wreaking havoc, but I’ll get that figured out next week when I see this new doctor. At least we got the other thing resolved.
‘Sploding cysts must be pretty common. You should have heard that first doctor. He made it sound like I was walking around with a nuclear bomb in my abdomen. “I’ll be out of town next week. If that cyst bursts, you’ll have to get to the ER for surgery.” What a scare tactic!
I am fine! And still married! And so happy!
YAY!!
LOL: Mr McQueen!
I just have to mention this. Kendall, who comments often on this blog, mentioned that she was involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement in Portland. What an understatement! She was in a Seattle Times story, and I just read a CNN transcript in which she was interviewed.
She’s been working hard!
Note to Kendall: Wow. I can’t believe you took time during all of this to comment here. I feel honored. You’re wonderful. I’m Internet hugging you to pieces.
Thank you Moonbeam. So then I have a request: tonight (Nov. 12) at midnight the occupation will be closed and there will be a police action. There are people in the “camp” who are NOT part of the movement and have not agreed to nonviolence. Thousands of people will be converging on the encampment as a show of solidarity. I am asking everyone I know to BEAM (pray, meditate, visualize, whatever you call it) peace at Portland all day today and all night tonight. Keep a space for peace in your hearts for us. The arrests can be a nonviolent, organized response to civil disobedience; this group of people is a loose cannon in the works. Send us your love. We need it. It CAN be a peaceful night. Hold that space for us.
You got it. I’ll be beaming, praying, meditating, visualizing and sending love like crazy. I truly hope that everyone will be safe– especially you. Here’s to a peaceful night.
Sorry. I’m a little tired. I said “this group of people is a loose cannon” meaning NOT Occupy Portland, NOT the police, but the people in the encampment who are NOT part of the movement and who have not agreed to nonviolence. Hold THEM in your hearts and wish THEM peace. May they find restraint in their hearts. May we ALL be peaceful.
Wonderful news. I can’t imagine the relief you must be feeling!
GREAT relief, Renee. Thank you!!
It WORKED! Portland saw a miracle happen last night. The media are not telling the truth. It was between 5000 and 10,000 Portland citizens, refusing to let the police take down the occupation. Eventually the police probably will take it down, but last night was a triumph of peace, gentle nonviolent political action, and love. I just got four hours of sleep, and I am still crying with joy and gratitude. Not to hijack this comment stream, but wow. It was beautiful. And you were part of it, with those peaceful thoughts. Thank you.
You aren’t hijacking, you’re keeping us informed. Thank you for letting us know the real scoop, and thank you for participating so actively. You really are an inspiration. Let’s hear it for peaceful thoughts!
Oops! Should have read this post before I commented on the last one! Glad you got that second opinion and that someone listened to you. As a breast cancer survivor, I can tell you that you have to be your own advocate and listen to yourself. If something doesn’t feel right – check it out. You did and I am glad it all worked out.
Jojo
First of all, congratulations and hugs on beating breast cancer!!!
I am so glad I went with my instincts on this. I’m just feeling so great. Went to the gastroenterologist yesterday and again, he seemed to be a caring, intelligent doctor who really listened. He agreed that it just made sense to step back, wait for the antibiotics to kick in and see if those tumor markers and white counts changed (and happily, they did).
More tests tomorrow, but we’re getting all of this stuff figured out. Hooray!!!
Thanks so much for your comments.