Tweet
I'm tired.
So tired.
So cranky.
And I've been bleeding for the last 6 weeks on top of all that.
Now usually it's a monthly thing for us females. Biology designed us this way. However, when a female starts going through the pre-menopausal phase (aka The Change) things get out of whack.
Let's just say it got to the point two weeks ago that I figured I'd better go ahead and get an appointment w/a Gynocologist.
I actually called out to the family practice I was going to (up until about 7 years or so ago) and b/c it was so long since I'd last been seen, I was told I'd need to re-register as a new patient.
Only thing was: they weren't taking new patients. This was last summer.
Flash forward to two weeks ago: called a private group after checking online to see who takes my work insurance.
Earliest time they can see me (and I NEED afternoon, as my work schedule makes it difficult to find coverage if I have to go in the morning and I don't trust anyone else checking in my guys) is on May 19th.
For the last week or more I've had periods of feeling tired in my legs (my calves will sometimes feel overwhelmingly heavy and it's all I can do to get them to move so I can get around and do what I need to at work.) It comes and goes. I'm also starting to feel tired all over.
Thursday and Friday mornings I was up around 3:30 to go to the bathroom. Back up at 5 to change yet another totally soaked pad.
Made it through work yesterday and called another OB/GYN group that another coworker recommended. They had nothing within the next week or so but it was suggested to go to the ED at the local Women's Hospital, if nothing else to get my blood checked.
I was too tired to go yesterday after work and told Mom that I'll give it another day or two and see if I'm not feeling any better.
About all I did yesterday evening was laundry, clean up kitchen, fix dinner and sit at the desk hanging out on the computer.
This morning, I was dragging. It was all I could do to get the dishes cleaned up, run a load of laundry.
Right after lunchtime, I got dressed and we left out after I told Mom I think I need to just go ahead and go to the ED to see if they can find out anything.
Glad I did. Luckily it was slow when I arrived (one person in the waiting area and one ambulance in the bay that was pulling in same time Mom was circling the lot to see where to let me out at.)
Asked the receptionist where the ED was located (I've not been there before except when Pooh had her baby some months back and I came in to visit, so the layout of the place I'm not familiar with too much.) Lady showed me where to go and I saw a long line to the left of the corridor that led to the desk and a staff member talking about what the procedures were.
I was a bit confused for a moment. I wasn't sure if you had to get in line to go check in or what . . . I finally noticed a badge on one lady that said TOUR so it clicked that they had a group that was getting a tour of the place (makes sense - a good number of the ladies I saw looked as if they were due in a few short weeks.
)
Staff member noticed me and motioned me to the desk.
Filled out the paper detailing my issues, left it in the tray and sat down. Maybe 10 minutes later I was called to the check in desk.
Went back to sit down in the waiting area and maybe less than 1/2 hr later, I was called into the Triage room for assessment. Explained what was going on, was sent around the corner inside the ED with a cup.
Left the sample cup in the little door when I finished and went back out into the waiting area.
About another half hour (if that) and by this time saw 2 other patients come into the waiting area. Got called back and was taken to a room around the corner at the far end of the hallway (is this an omen? I work in a back room and not allowed around customers much but I digress
)
Nurse came in, introduced herself and I went through the undressing and putting on that detested, flimsy gown (I left my sweatshirt on as I had a chill) and got on the stretcher (felt right comfy actually) and went through the standard questions and then she left for a short bit.
Then had a visit from the pharmacy tech, who asked about medications. Luckily I had both bottles of what I normally take with me, so I reached down on the floor and grabbed my purse and got the bottles out. Went through the process in a few short minutes.
Then had a PA come in to see me. We went over what was going on, she was ordering bloodwork and then a pelvic exam (every girls' dream right there
) and an ultrasound. She disappeared to go do something and I was left in there. No TV in the room but I did have my phone.
Dozed off for a bit and then a lady close to my age came in to take blood. Any other time I can find my veins easily - this time they decided to play "hide and seek" but she managed to get the samples done with not much difficulty. Then she left out, never to be seen again.
In the meanwhile, the nurse came back and brought me some cranberry juice over ice (which I had asked if I could have anything to drink earlier and the PA said it would be okay) Played w/my phone a bit (had to update Pooh and Tina, who had seen my FB status and were buzzing my phone earlier.) Had to end up plugging my phone up to charge a bit and not long after I got back to the bed, it starts going off again - this time those damned Araphaoe drums (meaning Mom is calling.) I get back up and answer it and tell her what's going on to that point.
Dozed back off for a bit and then both the nurse and PA came in and did some checking. Now I remember why I hate these exams . . . it was definitely uncomfortable and most definitely NOT my wildest fantasy either but necessary.
Also found out the results of the bloodwork: I have low hemoglobin due to the blood loss. Normal range is around 12-15. Mine was 9.1. (Or did I find this out before the exam? Can't recall the exact order but it's been quite a day by this point already.)
Meaning I now have anemia b/c of this. Not a good start but at least I know I made the right call in going to the ED.
Little bit later, the nurse came back w/a wheelchair to take me to Radiology for the ultrasound. Even gave me a matching robe to put on . . . yay. And it looked as wrinkled and pale as I felt to boot.
Found out the ultrasound was in two parts, as the nice tech explained to me (I've never had one of these before) Part One is where they rub the jelly over your tummy and run the wand-like appratus (can't think of the actual name for it now) over your belly. That part wasn't bad at all.
Had to go to the restroom after that, as I had to empty my bladder for part 2 (the first part is easier for them w/a full bladder)
Part Two is a vaginal ultrasound. Let's just say it's as uncomfortable, if not more so than the traditional exam.
Got wheeled back to the exam room in the corner a short time later and waited almost forever for the PA to come back. It was just after 6 when I got back there and just after 7 when the PA finally came back and discussed the results of that.
It's not bad but there is a bunch of stuff going on. She prescribed Progestrin to help thin the lining (there's too much growth in there due to hormonal changes) and so far nothing had been detected as far as fibroid or cysts went. I'll still need to have a biopsy done and someone from their clinic will call this coming week to set up the appointment for that procedure.
So at least the ball is rolling to figure out what's going on. So far no cancer has been detected but still need more testing to make sure.
Not how I wanted to spend a rainy Saturday but it could have been worse. But as far as the quality of care goes: I'd say it was very good. Everybody I met there today was nothing short of terrific.
Not sure how those of you who work in the healthcare field do it some days but this gal gives you one big THANK YOU for what you do.
So tired.
So cranky.
And I've been bleeding for the last 6 weeks on top of all that.
Now usually it's a monthly thing for us females. Biology designed us this way. However, when a female starts going through the pre-menopausal phase (aka The Change) things get out of whack.
Let's just say it got to the point two weeks ago that I figured I'd better go ahead and get an appointment w/a Gynocologist.
I actually called out to the family practice I was going to (up until about 7 years or so ago) and b/c it was so long since I'd last been seen, I was told I'd need to re-register as a new patient.
Only thing was: they weren't taking new patients. This was last summer.
Flash forward to two weeks ago: called a private group after checking online to see who takes my work insurance.
Earliest time they can see me (and I NEED afternoon, as my work schedule makes it difficult to find coverage if I have to go in the morning and I don't trust anyone else checking in my guys) is on May 19th.
For the last week or more I've had periods of feeling tired in my legs (my calves will sometimes feel overwhelmingly heavy and it's all I can do to get them to move so I can get around and do what I need to at work.) It comes and goes. I'm also starting to feel tired all over.
Thursday and Friday mornings I was up around 3:30 to go to the bathroom. Back up at 5 to change yet another totally soaked pad.
Made it through work yesterday and called another OB/GYN group that another coworker recommended. They had nothing within the next week or so but it was suggested to go to the ED at the local Women's Hospital, if nothing else to get my blood checked.
I was too tired to go yesterday after work and told Mom that I'll give it another day or two and see if I'm not feeling any better.
About all I did yesterday evening was laundry, clean up kitchen, fix dinner and sit at the desk hanging out on the computer.
This morning, I was dragging. It was all I could do to get the dishes cleaned up, run a load of laundry.
Right after lunchtime, I got dressed and we left out after I told Mom I think I need to just go ahead and go to the ED to see if they can find out anything.
Glad I did. Luckily it was slow when I arrived (one person in the waiting area and one ambulance in the bay that was pulling in same time Mom was circling the lot to see where to let me out at.)
Asked the receptionist where the ED was located (I've not been there before except when Pooh had her baby some months back and I came in to visit, so the layout of the place I'm not familiar with too much.) Lady showed me where to go and I saw a long line to the left of the corridor that led to the desk and a staff member talking about what the procedures were.
I was a bit confused for a moment. I wasn't sure if you had to get in line to go check in or what . . . I finally noticed a badge on one lady that said TOUR so it clicked that they had a group that was getting a tour of the place (makes sense - a good number of the ladies I saw looked as if they were due in a few short weeks.
) Staff member noticed me and motioned me to the desk.
Filled out the paper detailing my issues, left it in the tray and sat down. Maybe 10 minutes later I was called to the check in desk.
Went back to sit down in the waiting area and maybe less than 1/2 hr later, I was called into the Triage room for assessment. Explained what was going on, was sent around the corner inside the ED with a cup.
Left the sample cup in the little door when I finished and went back out into the waiting area.
About another half hour (if that) and by this time saw 2 other patients come into the waiting area. Got called back and was taken to a room around the corner at the far end of the hallway (is this an omen? I work in a back room and not allowed around customers much but I digress
)Nurse came in, introduced herself and I went through the undressing and putting on that detested, flimsy gown (I left my sweatshirt on as I had a chill) and got on the stretcher (felt right comfy actually) and went through the standard questions and then she left for a short bit.
Then had a visit from the pharmacy tech, who asked about medications. Luckily I had both bottles of what I normally take with me, so I reached down on the floor and grabbed my purse and got the bottles out. Went through the process in a few short minutes.
Then had a PA come in to see me. We went over what was going on, she was ordering bloodwork and then a pelvic exam (every girls' dream right there
) and an ultrasound. She disappeared to go do something and I was left in there. No TV in the room but I did have my phone.Dozed off for a bit and then a lady close to my age came in to take blood. Any other time I can find my veins easily - this time they decided to play "hide and seek" but she managed to get the samples done with not much difficulty. Then she left out, never to be seen again.
In the meanwhile, the nurse came back and brought me some cranberry juice over ice (which I had asked if I could have anything to drink earlier and the PA said it would be okay) Played w/my phone a bit (had to update Pooh and Tina, who had seen my FB status and were buzzing my phone earlier.) Had to end up plugging my phone up to charge a bit and not long after I got back to the bed, it starts going off again - this time those damned Araphaoe drums (meaning Mom is calling.) I get back up and answer it and tell her what's going on to that point.
Dozed back off for a bit and then both the nurse and PA came in and did some checking. Now I remember why I hate these exams . . . it was definitely uncomfortable and most definitely NOT my wildest fantasy either but necessary.
Also found out the results of the bloodwork: I have low hemoglobin due to the blood loss. Normal range is around 12-15. Mine was 9.1.
(Or did I find this out before the exam? Can't recall the exact order but it's been quite a day by this point already.)Meaning I now have anemia b/c of this. Not a good start but at least I know I made the right call in going to the ED.
Little bit later, the nurse came back w/a wheelchair to take me to Radiology for the ultrasound. Even gave me a matching robe to put on . . . yay. And it looked as wrinkled and pale as I felt to boot.
Found out the ultrasound was in two parts, as the nice tech explained to me (I've never had one of these before) Part One is where they rub the jelly over your tummy and run the wand-like appratus (can't think of the actual name for it now) over your belly. That part wasn't bad at all.
Had to go to the restroom after that, as I had to empty my bladder for part 2 (the first part is easier for them w/a full bladder)
Part Two is a vaginal ultrasound. Let's just say it's as uncomfortable, if not more so than the traditional exam.
Got wheeled back to the exam room in the corner a short time later and waited almost forever for the PA to come back. It was just after 6 when I got back there and just after 7 when the PA finally came back and discussed the results of that.
It's not bad but there is a bunch of stuff going on. She prescribed Progestrin to help thin the lining (there's too much growth in there due to hormonal changes) and so far nothing had been detected as far as fibroid or cysts went. I'll still need to have a biopsy done and someone from their clinic will call this coming week to set up the appointment for that procedure.
So at least the ball is rolling to figure out what's going on. So far no cancer has been detected but still need more testing to make sure.
Not how I wanted to spend a rainy Saturday but it could have been worse. But as far as the quality of care goes: I'd say it was very good. Everybody I met there today was nothing short of terrific.
Not sure how those of you who work in the healthcare field do it some days but this gal gives you one big THANK YOU for what you do.
)
Comment