Are You Kidding Me?

[MaggieTheCat]

Every time I go in for my annual womanly exam, they ALWAYS do the whole range of STD tests, despite the fact that I've only ever had intercourse with one person (my husband) and we were both virgins the first time we were together.

I hope your tests turn out to be nothing major, AA.

[Mishi]

Chlamydia can cause liver disease, so maybe they just want to rule that out? Hope it all gets sorted out soon, with a minimum of fuss and that it all goes well! *big hugs*

[AdminAssistant]

I've been gone for the past week, but I did finally manage to get in touch with my GI's office and get the results back from my nuclear medicine test. "No conclusive diagnosis." Dammit, isn't medicine supposed to be a science?? It's just so frustrating; they keep making me have all of these tests and I have no idea how I'm supposed to pay for all of it. And since the GI is going on vacation next week, my next appointment with him isn't until the 13th. Yay, 10 days to worry. There are things I'm wanting to do in late June, but I'm afraid to make any plans because I don't know when/if I'm going to have surgery or even what kind of surgery. I doubt he'll do a needle biopsy without ruling out hemangioma. He may want to do something more invasive.

[Boozy]

I'm so sorry to hear that, Admin.

Waiting is the hardest part, isn't it?

I've still got my fingers crossed for you. Keep us up-to-date.

[AdminAssistant]

Thanks, Boozy. The waiting is what's killing me. Too much time to think about the possibilities.

[Mikkel]

I know. every time I'm going in for a scanning I get more and more morbidly nervous in the weeks before.
I know it's just a precaution, I know the likeliest outcome is that I die of something else, but still I worry.
It's even worse when nobody knows what is wrong.

[AdminAssistant]

Heh, unrelated, but this seems to be the "Me Griping About Life" thread so....

We went down to see family last week. One night, we were supposed to go see my aunt. That day for lunch, we had some bad pizza or something. (We both had minor stomach upset the entire trip, that just pushed us over the edge.) We cancelled our afternoon plans in an attempt to feel better. Fiance got in the shower to rinse off right before we left....and threw up all over the place. So, I called her and told her we couldn't come. She sounded particularly disappointed and upset, and I felt terrible about it, but what could we do? We couldn't make the 30 minute drive with one of us vomiting and the other needing to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes.

I just talked to Mom and apparently I need to call my aunt because she's still really upset because she already had supper cooked. Okay, we called her before she told us she'd even be home; I had no way to know that a meal was already cooked and waiting for us. Besides, I feel like I've already explained myself and apologized. I hate that we were sick but that just happens when you throw yourself in a different environment, eat a lot of food you aren't used to, and over-schedule yourself. I just...argghhh.

[AdminAssistant]

Another (and hopefully final) update!!!

Sat down with the GI specialist and we reviewed my options. "They" (being the combo of doctors and radiologists) are fairly certain that I have several hepatocellular adenomas, the largest of which is 4.5 cm. However, there is still a chance that it could be hemangioma. They could still do a liver biopsy, but it comes with a higher than average risk. If it's hemangioma, and they prick it with a needle, then it'll bleed and cause problems.

He let me go home and think about it. The doctor feels confident that it's not malignant. Since adenomas can be caused and/or exacerbated by long-term use of oral contraceptives, I have to talk to my gynecologist about going off the pill. Then, we'll monitor the growths via ultrasound every 6-12 months or so. Ideally, they'll shrink in size and no longer cause any problems. There is a chance that they could become malignant, they can rupture, and they can cause complications with pregnancy. It's a lot to think about. But...if I can avoid a costly medical procedure right now, I think that's for the best.

Although I'm not particularly happy about going off the pill....*grumble*

[Amina516]

Wow. I missed 3 pages of updates and holy heck were they good ones.

I'm sorry, Admin. Youre right about the liver adenomas being caused by the birth control/hormones. Id talk to the gyn about trying a BC pill with a smaller dosage of estrogen, if thats an option. (Sorry, I cant give you a name, im very unfamiliar with birth control).

Im sorry youve been through so much though. I wish you the best and as always we're all here to talk if you need. And for what its worth, id probably be making the same decision you are right now.

[RootedPhoenix]

I'm glad things are looking up.