I Don't Wanna Go!!!

Yes, you heard me right! Today is a day I don't look forward to...what woman does??? I have an appointment for my "yearly visit" with the OB/GYN. Oh, boy...oh, boy!! Can you feel the excitement? Then, to top it off, I've never been to him before! With Chris' new job, we had to change doctors due to a change in insurance companies, so this is almost like going on a blind date...I just don't know what to expect! He could be nice...BUT, maybe he won't. Will he talk too much...OR, not enough? It really is nerve-racking!! I've said it before, but men don't have a clue what women have to go through! Can anyone second that???

I will never forget when I had my first visit with an OB/GYN when we lived in Alabama. Would you believe that he made a comment about me being petite and said, "I like petite women...they're good to snuggle with." I'm telling you, I about slapped that dude right across his face...and I'm not like that! Needless to say...that was my first AND last visit with him!

I'm the kind of woman who wants to get checked quickly, while keeping the conversation to a minimum. It isn't the time for me to be sharing my favorite family recipe or telling about a vacation spot I really liked. I AM NOT in the mood to talk! Let's just do what needs to be done so that I can be on my merry way! Can you tell that I'm really not looking forward to today? :)

On a more serious note, when I went in for my last yearly exam, my doctor decided to run the CA-125 test on me. It's the test that's used on women who've been diagnosed with ovarian cancer to determine whether or not their treatment is working. Well, I made mention to my doctor that my mom had breast cancer and my paternal grandmother died of ovarian cancer (I later found out that might not have been the case...possibly stomach cancer?). Anyhow, he thought it would be wise for me to have the CA-125 test done.

Well, the results came back elevated. The normal is something below a value of 20, I believe. Mine came back at around 66. So, he sent me in for a CT scan and an ultrasound. First of all, it was determined that I have bilateral kidney stones. Chris has had several bouts of kidney stones, one last summer, and I've never seen anyone in as much excruciating pain as he was! That's something I definitely don't want to experience myself! I keep telling myself that maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones and have them just sit nicely in my kidneys for years to come, never rearing their ugly heads. OK, I know that's only wishful thinking on my part, but I can try, right?

The results also showed that I have a ring-enhancing mass on my right ovary. It's most likely a functional cyst, which I've had before. However, my doctor did say that I should be tested with the CA-125 every 6 months to monitor what's going on. I've done some research on the test and I've found that it isn't supposed to be used as a screening tool to diagnose ovarian cancer because there are so many false positives with it. I've had it done two times in the past year and the levels increased by about 10 points. What that means, I haven't a clue! I feel perfectly fine, but it's something I'll be addressing with my doctor today.

So, if you would, say a prayer that my nerves will be calmed, I'll receive good and encouraging news, and I'll approve of this "new man" in my life. Just please don't have him ask me if I've ever eaten at such-n-such restaurant when I'm not really in a "position" to talk...if you know what I mean! Oh, my knees are knocking already!!