Medical Review

I went yesterday to the gynecologist and he told me that I do need to see a urologist but that he would check everything out just to make sure and give me peace of mind. From what he could tell, he did not feel anything abnormal but told me that if I wanted, he would schedule me for a sonogram just to be sure and get a clearer picture. He clearly saw that I was nervous, wanted an answer and needed assurance that nothing was wrong in that department. Normally I would not be volunteering for more tests and appointments but given the circumstances, I said “OK- sign me up”.


My doctor asked if they had done any routine blood work in me recently. I explained that they gave me a script to go to a lab for blood work to check my kidney functions but that was it. He kind of made an odd face and then said, “Do you want me to do blood work on you – just some routine tests to see if anything comes up” Again, I said, “OK” and I let him stick me with a needle. He told me he was just going to check some routine stuff and he would call me in about a week with the results.

While I had his ear, I asked him what was the story with the test I had taken the last time I was there because someone told me they found abnormal cells but not to worry they would keep an eye on it. I said. “What is that supposed to mean?” He explained to me that I had low grade pre-cancerous cells on the face of my cervix but not to worry because they are not in the canal. I am probably going to get the numbers wrong but he told me that about 100,000 women would show the same thing but only 1 would turn into something. The other 99,999 would remain unchanged so until it shows signs of any type of progression, they don’t even bother to treat it. I suppose that this is why they recommend going regularly because catching something at a less severe stage means better odds of treatment in the long run.

Before I left his office, he had asked me if he had ever sent me for a mammography before. I said with a disgusted look on my face , “NO”! He said, “Well I am going to give you a script for one before you leave.” I replied “OH joy”. I thought you were not supposed to do that until you were like 40 but apparently he told me they start at 35 now but I will not need to go again until I am 40. I suppose they like to have a baseline or start early to detect any changes at an age more prevalent for developing these types of things. I was not crazy about the idea, but to me everything feels lumpy in that area, so what is one more test. I didn’t expect to walk out with a script to have my boob smooched between two pieces of metal like a Panini press, but it is what it is. I figured I can always schedule this at the same facility I have to go to for the CT scan. I may come home glowing that evening….and not for good reasons, but it appears I am getting close to a full body work up at this point. In a way, the doctors appointments are a bit annoying but as I seem to be worried about everything these days, I suppose all these routine tests will hopefully rest my mind at ease.

I am eager for someone to find a problem, but I want for it to be a problem that they can fix easily or correct in a minimally invasive way. I don’t want them to start finding things wrong with me that can be very life altering or life threatening. I suppose the more things they check, the greater the chance they will find something wrong that they had not been looking for or that had not been an issue before now….like my cyst on my kidney which I am hoping was always there but is nothing of concern and is benign. But should there be an issue, better to detect it early and go for all the tests erring on the side of caution. My father let way too many things go unchecked until it was too late in some situations. I may be a bit mental lately (mostly because now I am scared, nervous and anxious) but I am not prepared to follow in his footsteps when it comes to my health.

As I left the doctor’s office, I scheduled my appointment for the sonogram just to make sure everything really is OK and nothing is growing or pushing where it does not need to be. I will be doing this on September 19th since that is when I could get an appointment after work hours. Then on the 20th I am going back to the urologist for a follow up, review of my test results and I think the cystoscopy. Somewhere in between that time I will get the blood work done to check my kidney function, have my CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis and then go for my mammography. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Until I write again…..