The surgeon who ordered the CT Scan referred me to a GYN for more tests and to arrange to remove the cyst.
My husband and I went to see him and I learned there were TWO CYSTS not one. They were the size of a tennis ball (8cm) and had to come out. There are three types of ovarian cysts, with one being liquid, the the middle one that he thinks I have and then one that's really bad.
The problem with mine is they are behind vital organs and probably attached to the pelvic wall and that means it will be extremely difficult and slow to remove them. The surgery could take 2-7 hours and there would be at least three surgeons involved.
He also ordered a blood test which will give a heads up as to whether there is any sign of cancer in my body. Unfortunately, although he sent me to the lab downtown thinking he would have the results in a day, the lab said it takes at least a week to get the results on this particular test.
When I got home I received a call from the hospital. They wanted me to go in Friday night at 7:30pm for an ultrasound. OK, I could do that. I would have to drink a litre of water one hour before heading to the hospital. What I didn't know was that after the abdominal ultrasound, they had to do a vaginal one where they put a camera up into my vaginal to get a closer look at the cysts. Now I'd never even heard of such a test but let me share with you that IT'S PAINFUL. They probe and push and push your abdomen around trying to move the cyst to get a better view.
Moments before the ultrasound I remember lying on the table thinking to myself "I don't need surgery - I feel fine." Let me tell you, I wish they had told me to take a Tylenol before that test and I certainly took one as soon as I got home!
So now I wait. I've an appointment April 3rd to see the Gynaecologist and see where we go from here. One month to relax and enjoy my life as much as one can with all of this handing over their head.
Do I have colon cancer, or colitis? Is the cyst malignant? Let's not go there!
Thursday, February 23, 2017
COLONOSCOPY 2017
It was a nightmare.
I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago because they thought they saw a dark spot and needed to know what if anything was wrong. They found nothing thankfully.
I was in ER when I was informed that I required this colonoscopy and was put in a bed and given this jug of goop. Peg-Life I believe its called. Disgusting goop is more like it. I had to drink this big gallon jug, a bit every ten minutes all night long.
I don't do liquid meds very well. I sure didn't this night either. At some time in the middle of the night up it came, all over me, and as my husband thrust a basin under my mouth it just kept coming and I filled two basins with liquid that kept coming up from my stomach. I panicked as there was blood in it. No way would I drink any more of that stuff, so in the end, I also had an enema to clear me out.
Now here I am again being told I need a colonoscopy just two years later.
Let me tell you a little secret a Doctor friend told me. He too hates the Peg-Lite goop so he takes a small bottle of Magnesium Caltrate I think it's called. It comes in flavours such as cherry and grape and I think pineapple or peach although the liquid is clear. He said to drink two bottles of that stuff and maybe take some Dulcolax too. I stuck with the two bottle of M. Caltrate and clear fluids and never told anyone that I didn't drink the goop.
The colonoscopy was done and they removed a polyp and took two biopsies and now I am waiting for the results.
I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago because they thought they saw a dark spot and needed to know what if anything was wrong. They found nothing thankfully.
I was in ER when I was informed that I required this colonoscopy and was put in a bed and given this jug of goop. Peg-Life I believe its called. Disgusting goop is more like it. I had to drink this big gallon jug, a bit every ten minutes all night long.
I don't do liquid meds very well. I sure didn't this night either. At some time in the middle of the night up it came, all over me, and as my husband thrust a basin under my mouth it just kept coming and I filled two basins with liquid that kept coming up from my stomach. I panicked as there was blood in it. No way would I drink any more of that stuff, so in the end, I also had an enema to clear me out.
Now here I am again being told I need a colonoscopy just two years later.
Let me tell you a little secret a Doctor friend told me. He too hates the Peg-Lite goop so he takes a small bottle of Magnesium Caltrate I think it's called. It comes in flavours such as cherry and grape and I think pineapple or peach although the liquid is clear. He said to drink two bottles of that stuff and maybe take some Dulcolax too. I stuck with the two bottle of M. Caltrate and clear fluids and never told anyone that I didn't drink the goop.
The colonoscopy was done and they removed a polyp and took two biopsies and now I am waiting for the results.
2017 - HERE WE GO AGAIN - ANOTHER MEDICAL ADVENTURE
I've done so very well since my last surgery when they removed another section of my small intestine. Although I am on daily medication and a very strict diet, I've been pretty darn healthy.
My diet is similar to that of anyone with Crohn's Disease although I don't have Crohn's. It's a no-fibre, high protein diet with few vegetables or fruits, and no sugar, nuts, or fibre. So basically I am allowed to drink water only, and eat meat and potatoes.
Of course being a woman I cheat. I mean we women can't live without chocolate occasionally!
So here I was, about to depart on a cruise with my girlfriends. I flew from Phoenix to Los Angeles where we were to meet. On the way I had some discomfort and I now realize that it was a partial blockage in my intestine due to eating eggplant when at a friends home for dinner the evening before. The skin on the eggplant, which I didn't even think about, was too thick, coarse, whatever, for my poor intestines. I thought that by taking it easy the next day and having nothing to eat other than an omelette for breakfast and clear broth for dinner that I would get past this but no. Friday evening I wasn't feeling too well but by Saturday morning I had the runs and really felt pretty badly.
I had to make a decision and make it quickly so I booked a flight and flew home where I would be close to my own surgeon should one be required. It was such a hard decision to make and it was a pretty tearful day at times but I knew I was making the smart choice and needed to go home, or at the very least, to not get on that ship which would be spending its first two days at sea, far from a major hospital.
I arrived home late at night in the cold, alone, dragging my suitcase through the airport and was lucky enough to catch the last cab. Off to the hospital I went. I must have been a sight as I went from the bathroom to gather a urine sample, then off for blood-work, then an x-ray and to have my vitals checked, all the while, dragging my suitcase. There was no place to leave it so everywhere I went, it went too.
Finally around 2am the ER Doctor on call came and explained that there was nothing in the X-ray and I should go home and take Tylenol. Seriously? I can all this way, giving up a week's cruise, to be told to take Tylenol?
I took a cab home and it was late, I was cold and tired and frustrated and just a little stressed as I stood at my garage door trying to remember the code to get in. It was so good to finally crawl into bed. I couldn't find any Tylenol but being the middle of the night there was nothing I could do.
Monday morning I called my surgeon first thing and left a message. His secretary called and said to come later in the morning and he would fit me in between other patients. After a thorough review of my previous tests and reports and an examination of my abdomen he said I seemed to be fine although I may have had a partial blockage but it's seemed to have cleared. If I had further issues he was on call Wednesday evening in the ER and to come in and he would order a CT Scan.
Tuesday I felt great and borrowed my son's truck to run errands and then meet a friend for lunch. I then picked up my grandsons and took them to their swimming lessons. I was tired at the end of the day but ok. Unfortunately I couldn't say that the next evening. We had fajitas for dinner and I ate some red and yellow peppers. That darned skin again? I don't know but by the time dinner was over I was in agony. I spoke with my husband on the phone and he said I needed to return to the hospital. The problem was that my daughter-in-law was out and my son couldn't leave the kids alone so we waited for her return then he dropped me off at the hospital.
I am supposed to have a CT scan when I go to ER and it's too bad the original ER Doctor hadn't done one. Now, again, I went through the blood and urine tests etc. then this ER Doctor decided to put an IV in my arm and have me sit in the waiting room all night. She didn't want to call my surgeon and wake him up. What? I came tonight because he told me he was on call and now they wouldn't call him?
So I sat in a chair all night with an IV in my arm. At around 6am they called the surgeon who ordered the CT Scan. It was done between 8 and 9am and by 9:30 he was at the hospital checking the results. He came to talk to me and it wasn't at all what I expected. First, he mentioned the cyst on my ovary. I vaguely remember being told about this when I spoke with him a couple of years ago. He also mentioned that the lower part of the colon was dark in colour and he didn't like the look of it. He had a telephone consultation with another surgeon - and after a long talk she said she wanted to see me but was swamped all day so would get in between patients later. So I was sent back to the waiting room to wait for her arrival, still dragging my IV pole around with me and now stuck in a very crowded waiting room.
Around noon this latest Doctor arrived and she told me that I required a colonoscopy but that it might be a couple of weeks before she could get me in. I was lucky thought and she had a cancellation for that Monday but the last one of the day so it would mean a long day of no food and clear liquids for me but at least I would get it done.
My diet is similar to that of anyone with Crohn's Disease although I don't have Crohn's. It's a no-fibre, high protein diet with few vegetables or fruits, and no sugar, nuts, or fibre. So basically I am allowed to drink water only, and eat meat and potatoes.
Of course being a woman I cheat. I mean we women can't live without chocolate occasionally!
So here I was, about to depart on a cruise with my girlfriends. I flew from Phoenix to Los Angeles where we were to meet. On the way I had some discomfort and I now realize that it was a partial blockage in my intestine due to eating eggplant when at a friends home for dinner the evening before. The skin on the eggplant, which I didn't even think about, was too thick, coarse, whatever, for my poor intestines. I thought that by taking it easy the next day and having nothing to eat other than an omelette for breakfast and clear broth for dinner that I would get past this but no. Friday evening I wasn't feeling too well but by Saturday morning I had the runs and really felt pretty badly.
I had to make a decision and make it quickly so I booked a flight and flew home where I would be close to my own surgeon should one be required. It was such a hard decision to make and it was a pretty tearful day at times but I knew I was making the smart choice and needed to go home, or at the very least, to not get on that ship which would be spending its first two days at sea, far from a major hospital.
I arrived home late at night in the cold, alone, dragging my suitcase through the airport and was lucky enough to catch the last cab. Off to the hospital I went. I must have been a sight as I went from the bathroom to gather a urine sample, then off for blood-work, then an x-ray and to have my vitals checked, all the while, dragging my suitcase. There was no place to leave it so everywhere I went, it went too.
Finally around 2am the ER Doctor on call came and explained that there was nothing in the X-ray and I should go home and take Tylenol. Seriously? I can all this way, giving up a week's cruise, to be told to take Tylenol?
I took a cab home and it was late, I was cold and tired and frustrated and just a little stressed as I stood at my garage door trying to remember the code to get in. It was so good to finally crawl into bed. I couldn't find any Tylenol but being the middle of the night there was nothing I could do.
Monday morning I called my surgeon first thing and left a message. His secretary called and said to come later in the morning and he would fit me in between other patients. After a thorough review of my previous tests and reports and an examination of my abdomen he said I seemed to be fine although I may have had a partial blockage but it's seemed to have cleared. If I had further issues he was on call Wednesday evening in the ER and to come in and he would order a CT Scan.
Tuesday I felt great and borrowed my son's truck to run errands and then meet a friend for lunch. I then picked up my grandsons and took them to their swimming lessons. I was tired at the end of the day but ok. Unfortunately I couldn't say that the next evening. We had fajitas for dinner and I ate some red and yellow peppers. That darned skin again? I don't know but by the time dinner was over I was in agony. I spoke with my husband on the phone and he said I needed to return to the hospital. The problem was that my daughter-in-law was out and my son couldn't leave the kids alone so we waited for her return then he dropped me off at the hospital.
I am supposed to have a CT scan when I go to ER and it's too bad the original ER Doctor hadn't done one. Now, again, I went through the blood and urine tests etc. then this ER Doctor decided to put an IV in my arm and have me sit in the waiting room all night. She didn't want to call my surgeon and wake him up. What? I came tonight because he told me he was on call and now they wouldn't call him?
So I sat in a chair all night with an IV in my arm. At around 6am they called the surgeon who ordered the CT Scan. It was done between 8 and 9am and by 9:30 he was at the hospital checking the results. He came to talk to me and it wasn't at all what I expected. First, he mentioned the cyst on my ovary. I vaguely remember being told about this when I spoke with him a couple of years ago. He also mentioned that the lower part of the colon was dark in colour and he didn't like the look of it. He had a telephone consultation with another surgeon - and after a long talk she said she wanted to see me but was swamped all day so would get in between patients later. So I was sent back to the waiting room to wait for her arrival, still dragging my IV pole around with me and now stuck in a very crowded waiting room.
Around noon this latest Doctor arrived and she told me that I required a colonoscopy but that it might be a couple of weeks before she could get me in. I was lucky thought and she had a cancellation for that Monday but the last one of the day so it would mean a long day of no food and clear liquids for me but at least I would get it done.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
July 21, 2013 - just past the 4 week mark
Well, for one reason or another, I've not been too good at keeping up this blog the past two weeks.
I've suffered with lots of gas and abdominal pain, but that's to be expected. Overall, I think I am doing really well and way ahead of the progress of last summer.
My girlfriend came to visit at the two-week mark but I was left totally exhausted after her visit. She left as she said she could see me pale in front of her. I just suddenly started to fade. As I've said before, visitors and telephone calls are draining. I don't like then until at least the four week mark.
Having the runs all the time becomes very painful. Thankfully, last summer the surgeons office suggested using baby wipes and diaper cream and they really do help a lot! Epsom salts in the bath are good too but you can't have a bath at first.
The runs were so bad I called the Surgeons office and asked if I could go back on the cholorestramine yet? Thankfully the answer was yes, but he didn't say how many times/day. Trial and error...
Day 17 was a rough one. Tired, lots of pain, feeling hot and nauseous etc and about 10:30 that night I had a mjor meltdown. I cried for a very long time and in spite of taking a sleeping pill and 10:30 was still awake at 1:00am
This has been the only really rough time this year. Last year there were several days of depression so I guess this is good!
Day 21 I was finally able to sleep on my side again, rather than always being on my back which I don't like. In the morning my stomach was sore and tender but hey, I'd been on my side for the first time, all night!
Day 24 I was running a mild fever. My runs looked a little reddish and I didn't know if I should be heading to the hospital or not. Maybe it was something I ate the night before? I don't know but the fever stopped so I decided to pack it in for the night and just go to bed. Seemed ok the next morning.
After four weeks of being contained to the house I went for a car ride about a mile away to my son's for a short visit.
Day 26 and it was time for my follow-up appointment with my own Doctor. I was 150 lbs on his scale! Down 40 lbs in all from last summer pre-surgery. He explained to me that the opening in my intestine should be about 4 (cm or mm?) and mine was 1.2 so no wonder I was still having troubles with blockages. He hopes this now does the trick and no more problems in future! Let's hope!
The worry though honestly is that every time I want to go somewhere, I will worry wondering if it will happen again and I'll end up once again in the hospital somewhere. At some point in time I know I will relax and accept that maybe I am now healed. Hopefully. If all goes well!
The other issue is that I am anemic now. I'd had my blood tested pre-surgery and was fine but now things have changed so he's started me on iron supplements and already after 3 days I notice a big difference. I am to have my blood tested again in one month and see how I am then.
Day 28 and I finally graduated (at least this one time) to a thin shaped poop! There is hope! I am on Cholorestramine twice a day now and I think it may be too much so will try again with just one/day.
On Day 29 enough was enough and my husband drove me to my hairdresser who coloured and cut my hair. I felt human again at last! That white streak made me look like a member of the skunk family although I was pretty good at camouflaging it.
Day 30 and I feel great! I'm past the 4-wk mark and feeling pretty good and have even been cheating a little on foods. I've had a few small pieces of dark chocolate, some banana bread and last night Hawaiian pizza and a couple of potatoe chips. No problems so far!
I've suffered with lots of gas and abdominal pain, but that's to be expected. Overall, I think I am doing really well and way ahead of the progress of last summer.
My girlfriend came to visit at the two-week mark but I was left totally exhausted after her visit. She left as she said she could see me pale in front of her. I just suddenly started to fade. As I've said before, visitors and telephone calls are draining. I don't like then until at least the four week mark.
Having the runs all the time becomes very painful. Thankfully, last summer the surgeons office suggested using baby wipes and diaper cream and they really do help a lot! Epsom salts in the bath are good too but you can't have a bath at first.
The runs were so bad I called the Surgeons office and asked if I could go back on the cholorestramine yet? Thankfully the answer was yes, but he didn't say how many times/day. Trial and error...
Day 17 was a rough one. Tired, lots of pain, feeling hot and nauseous etc and about 10:30 that night I had a mjor meltdown. I cried for a very long time and in spite of taking a sleeping pill and 10:30 was still awake at 1:00am
This has been the only really rough time this year. Last year there were several days of depression so I guess this is good!
Day 21 I was finally able to sleep on my side again, rather than always being on my back which I don't like. In the morning my stomach was sore and tender but hey, I'd been on my side for the first time, all night!
Day 24 I was running a mild fever. My runs looked a little reddish and I didn't know if I should be heading to the hospital or not. Maybe it was something I ate the night before? I don't know but the fever stopped so I decided to pack it in for the night and just go to bed. Seemed ok the next morning.
After four weeks of being contained to the house I went for a car ride about a mile away to my son's for a short visit.
Day 26 and it was time for my follow-up appointment with my own Doctor. I was 150 lbs on his scale! Down 40 lbs in all from last summer pre-surgery. He explained to me that the opening in my intestine should be about 4 (cm or mm?) and mine was 1.2 so no wonder I was still having troubles with blockages. He hopes this now does the trick and no more problems in future! Let's hope!
The worry though honestly is that every time I want to go somewhere, I will worry wondering if it will happen again and I'll end up once again in the hospital somewhere. At some point in time I know I will relax and accept that maybe I am now healed. Hopefully. If all goes well!
The other issue is that I am anemic now. I'd had my blood tested pre-surgery and was fine but now things have changed so he's started me on iron supplements and already after 3 days I notice a big difference. I am to have my blood tested again in one month and see how I am then.
Day 28 and I finally graduated (at least this one time) to a thin shaped poop! There is hope! I am on Cholorestramine twice a day now and I think it may be too much so will try again with just one/day.
On Day 29 enough was enough and my husband drove me to my hairdresser who coloured and cut my hair. I felt human again at last! That white streak made me look like a member of the skunk family although I was pretty good at camouflaging it.
Day 30 and I feel great! I'm past the 4-wk mark and feeling pretty good and have even been cheating a little on foods. I've had a few small pieces of dark chocolate, some banana bread and last night Hawaiian pizza and a couple of potatoe chips. No problems so far!
Friday, July 5, 2013
One step forward, one step back.... In other words, slow down you'renot "Wonder Woman"
Yesterday I got up about 8-845 after lying in bed. Made myself a poached egg on toast and at 9:00 am lay on the sofa. Dozed for a few minutes a couple of time. Made an egg salad sandwich for lunch and then back to the sofa.
I was totally, completely exhausted. Had trouble late afternoon catching my breath. I don't know when I've ever felt this level of totally drained.
Obviously two visitors, a shower and talking on the phone the day before were to much to handle.
I guess I should know better but had felt so good yesterday!!
Even after vegging out all day and evening, I went to bed early.
But then I woke at 12:10 with a nightmare in it I was screaming and having trouble talking. I was in a hospital and terrified of the things they were doing. Two if the Doctor's were drunk and one collapsed face down across the end of my bed. Needless to say the nightmare really shook me up. So, I read for a bit but did fairly quickly get back to sleep.
Unfortunately the night was disturbed again when I awoke at 5:00 to go to the bathroom.
But, first mushy oatmeal-type poop since home! I feel so much better knowing the system is working.
No sooner though was I back in my bed I had to get up again as I was in pain.
This time it was the runs and one tiny piece. Let me tell you, there are way too many times when just one little piece of poop can be excruciatingly painful to pass!
Now, to try once again to sleep!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
One step forward, one back? Or - don't overdue!
Two nights ago I awoke in such pain. I don't know why but can only guess I rolled onto my side in my sleep.
The next day I was fine in the morning but after lunch was in pain. By late afternoon I caved in and took a painkiller. Last night when I went to bed I felt as though I had a knife in my side. If only I understood the cause of some of this, maybe I could make some changes in activities or diet.
Today I felt pretty good so had a lovely shower and washed my hair. What a wonderful feeling to feel clean all over again. Get rid of that weird "hospital" smell.
I relaxed on the deck and had a visit with a friend. Unfortunately, one visit/day is exhausting enough but another friend dropped in.
May I suggest that if you ever visit someone who is ill, or recovering, limit your visit. Fifteen-thirty minutes maximum please! Talking/visiting can be exhausting. The same goes for talking on the phone.
It can exhaust the patient.
I was exhausted after the second visit and fell asleep on the sofa but it was to be a very short nap then I was called to dinner.
Several times today I ran to the bathroom but not much happened and it was very painful. I would say it was constipation but I had the runs and passed "little bits". I remember this all too well from the last surgery. Keep Cottonelle Wipes and even Pantene diaper cream handy! They will help.
Tonight the pain is mild but I am exhausted. I will have to be sure to have a quiet day tomorrow! One more day and it will be two weeks!
LOL I was told recovery time is 4-6 weeks. We'll see!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Rough afternoon
Felt good this morning, but perhaps the half hour I spent on the computer drained all my energy.
This afternoon I've been in pain, to the point I broke down and took a pain killer although just one helps but not a lot.
Have had two naps, lots of pain and "runs" (sorry for being graphic but one of the main parts of recovery is the bowels learning to function again)
It's days like this that really bring you down and it's good to have my notes from last year to remind me that there are not just days, but weeks like this still to come but I know I WILL get better! In time ...
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