Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Here's the Lowdown...

First of all, thank you to everyone who prayed for me yesterday when I went to meet the "new man" in my life...my OB/GYN! I don't want to say I "love" him because that would be just too weird! However, I am in "deep like" with him...how does that sound?

So, once I was called back, I sat there for a good bit before "HE" came in. He 's a short little man, just like me (though I'm not a man, just short!) and I'd say in his mid-40's. He picked up my records that I'd brought with me and reviewed them thoroughly, asking me various questions along the way. He asked me about my pregnancies, of which I've had 4 (2 live births, 2 miscarriages). Ok, here's where I made a dumbo out of myself. He asked me how long I was pregnant with Brittany and I said, "40 weeks"...he jotted it down. Then, he asked about my pregnancy with Abby and I told him, "43 weeks". He got the most puzzled look on his face. He asked, "Oh, so they let you go that long?" HELLOOOOOO!!!! No, I did not break the World Record for Longest Human Gestation! It's just been so long since I've had a baby that I'd forgotten that 40 weeks is typically the cut-off! He had to explain that to me! Proof right there that I was really nervous because I wasn't thinking clearly...that's my excuse, anyway!

When he finished reviewing my records, he hadn't asked me anything about the CA-125 test I'd gotten, along with the CT scan and ultrasound, so I brought it to his attention. He'd overlooked the information and thumbed through everything, again, to find it. As he was reading, he started shaking his head from side-to-side. I really had no clue what he was thinking. He, then, explained to me that he could not understand why my former doctor chose to order a CT scan without first doing an ultrasound. He said that ultrasounds are much better for detecting gynecological issues. A CT scan is typically used if a tumor has already been found via other means. I didn't like getting the CT scan to begin with...radiation exposure makes me nervous.

Then, he told me that my elevated CA-125 result was nothing to be concerned about because the test is so sensitive. It can be elevated from the common cold, gastro. inflammation, endometriosis (which I've had a history of), and countless other things. He said it's NEVER to be used as a screening tool for ovarian cancer. He said he wouldn't recommend repeating the test, unless it would make me feel better. I told him that I trusted his judgement, so I declined.

I asked about the mass that the CT scan had detected. He pointed out that the ultrasound I had afterwards determined that it was only a functional cyst, which is very common in women "my age". Hey...I'm not exactly ready for a "home" buddy! Ok, he was walking on thin ice with that little comment. He said it's nothing to worry about...completely normal. Whew...what a relief! I was so needing to hear some good news! Oh, and about my bilateral kidney stones...he said for me to get prepared to experience the most excruciating pain I've ever had...worse than childbirth! Way to make me feel good!!! Chris has had them and he curled up in a fetal position on our bedroom floor and moaned for what seemed like hours. I AM NOT excited about this news, people!!!

The exam itself went fine. I, actually, got to wear a swanky hospital gown in a lovely turquoise color. It went all the way to my ankles (there ARE pluses to being short!) and had velcro closures on my shoulders. Sure beats the wash cloth I was given one time at an OB/GYN visit to cover my "upper torso"...pure humiliation, I tell ya! I'm not well-endowed, but a WASH CLOTH???? You've got to be kidding me!! Sorry for my digression!

Anyhow, the doctor moved my feet to the stirrups and pushed a few buttons and I thought I was going to hear, "We have lift-off." Before I knew what happened, the chair completely inverted and my feet were straight up in the air and my head was down to the floor! The blood was going straight to my head and I did my best to hold on for dear life! Where was the seat belt on that thing???

Long story short, he found yet ANOTHER cervical polyp, which had to be removed for biopsy. I've had a few before and things have turned out fine. It makes my skin crawl when I hear, "I'm just going to clip it right off". I would really love some anesthesia first, thank you very much! In all honesty, it was over and done with in a flash.

So, all in all, I'd have to say that I'm pretty tickled with the "new man" in my life. He talked, but not too much. More importantly, he made no reference to "snuggling"...THANK GOODNESS!! I think I might have found myself a "keeper". :)

On a side note, I almost finished my post when I walked downstairs to tell my daughter goodbye before she left for school. Well, I opened the front door and....WHOO, WHOO, WHOO, WHOO....!!!! I forgot to turn off our security alarm!!! I'm telling you, that sound would wake the dead!!! I bet my neighbors really appreciated my wake-up call at this early hour. My daughter was standing there laughing hysterically! Oh, boy, if this is any indication as to how my day will go...I'm in big trouble!!!
April
April

Hello, I'm April, welcome to my blog. I look at every day as an adventure and an opportunity to laugh and to learn. You will soon discover that my family and my faith are at the heart of who I am.

18 comments:

Davisix said...

Girl, you are cracking me up this morning! I have such a visual of you in the "chair", "contraption", "stirrup thingy". :) Glad everything went well. xoxo Ang

Lorrie said...

Hi April, I'm so glad your appointment went well and you like your new doctor! That's a big thing to feel good about. Your descriptions really do make me laugh, but only because I can relate!

When I was pregnant with my children I went to a group that had five OB doctors and when you're pregnant you had to rotate through all of them to get to know them, because whoever was on call when you went into labor would do the delivery. That was not the most fun thing in the world, to have to see a new one each visit. Since there were five of them, I nicknamed them "The Fifty Fingers" Good times, good times...

Anonymous said...

April,

I am so glad that everything went well and that you like your new GYN. I am so glad that mine doesn't have a chair like that. That sounds really weird.... :o). I had to laugh when I pictured it.

Rae said...

So glad to hear your new man is to your liking! That chair sounds like a torture device if you ask me!!! Those kidney stones do not sound like much fun...worse than childbirth? Oh my!

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who sets off their own security system! We're kindred spirits!!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Trust me-they will let you go past fourty weeks-I was 42(!!!) with my last one...not so much fun.
Glad it went ok-I hate this visit, but I need to schedule something myself. Ugh!

Denise said...

You are so funny, thanks for making me laugh. I am glad everything worked out for you.

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

43 weeks.....I would have gone insane.

Glad all went well!!!

Anonymous said...

I didn't get a chance to tell ou I was praying yesterday, but I was! I am so glad things went well! Hope your Thanksgiving week is lovely!

Sue said...

So happy you got a good report and you like your "new man". You had me laughing while reading this post. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

Lindsay-ann said...

This post made me smile and the thoughts of the chair made me cringe! Glad you have got it out of the way.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Lindsay

Debra Kaye said...

Oh sweet April,

I am laughing so hard right now...at the alarm thing...I did that yesterday!

I'm so glad you are in like with your doctor and I will be praying for you about the kidney stones.

Praying you have a beautiful thanksgiving!

((hugs)) to you!

Wendy said...

Hi April! Glad all went well, Although the chair sounded more like a torture device than something medical!
We had a fuse blow yesterday which set our alarm of, at 9.10pm, for 20 minutes :-(
When I left the house this morning I ducked my head in shame!!
..x..

Shell in your Pocket said...

I am the worst at those type of appointments...I would rather have a root canal!!! Glad it is over!
How funny about the alarm...something I would do!
Happy Thanksgiving, April!
-sandy toes

Daphine said...

April,
I'm sorry, but I laughed out LOUD most of the time reading this!!! It was just hilarious! I felt that you were talking to me the whole time! lol! Dirk kept asking me what was so funny?? I only told him a little of it. I even went back to re-read some parts!

If you believe me, I am truly happy that your appointment went well though.

Thanks for the laugh! I needed it!!

meili_lo said...

i was only 38 weeks with my first...but i'm having my 2nd, hopefully not too long. i remember being impatient when i was just 7 months =) hihi

anyway, i saw you in one of the blogs i visited and thought of inviting you to my blog. hope to hear your thoughts =) would really appreciate it if you come and visit. we can exchange links if you want =)

http://shewritesyouwrite.blogspot.com/

thanks!

Pam D said...

I'm so glad that things went well.. or as well as they can in THOSE circumstances! It really does sound as if you have a keeper, and that's a good thing! Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! Hahaha. I'm glad that things went well and I'm glad that you found a good doctor!!!

Alicia said...

Thanks for stopping by! I had to laugh at this post. It is so hard going to a different dr., sure glad you found one that you like. I have a fibroid that keeps growing and is checked by a transvaginal ultrasound every 6 months. I so hate going in for that...