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!!!

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!!