What's going on with my health - YouLookFab Forum

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What's going on with my health

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I realized today that you have all become such a part of my life (one of the most enjoyable parts may I add) and that YLF has become a bit of an extended family for me.

Two days of not participating on the forum and I'm going through withdrawal - lol!

I decided I wanted to share what's going on with my health and keep on participating and doing what I do.

For the past six months or so I have been having some significant difficulties with my gynecological health. I went 13 months without a period and felt fairly confident I was in full blown menopause. However, all of a sudden I have developed extremely heavy, prolonged and debilitating menstruation to the point where I am unable to stand up straight because the pain is honestly as severe as labour and am bleeding so heavily that I am now taking iron pills for anemia and am missing work because I simply am unable to be away from the bathroom for any length of time. This is happening approximately every three weeks, with break-through spotting between menstrual cycles and a constant lower abdominal ache and heaviness. I have worked in a Women's Hospital for over 15 years now and knew something was wrong.

My maternal grandmother and my maternal aunt both died from uterine cancer and I have a strong family history for the illness. I have had a Pap smear which showed irregular cells and my CA-125 blood test was extremely elevated. I was also diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) about 10 years ago and the occurrence of both ovarian and uterine cancers increase significantly with PCOS.

I will be seeing one of the gyne-oncologists in our department next week for further testing and once all the results are in, will proceed with surgery, etc if required.

Of course I am hoping that it is just my body gone haywire with the hormonal changes of menopause. But it is worrisome to say the least.

I can't thank all of you enough for your wonderful messages in my thread about being gone the rest of the week, but I've decided NOT to be (if that's ok with you?). I need all of you and I need the fun and creativity of this place.

Lotsa love,
Shannon

Off Topic

77 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

Raisin

Veteran

Oh Shannon, you must be so worried! I have no idea what is going on, but I do hope it's just more like crazy hormone/menopause stuff than something closer to ovarian or uterine cancer. I will keep you in my thoughts!

How long do you think it will be before you get test results?

I think it's a good idea that you are here participating in something you love and get a lot of joy from. Best to keep busy and have fun, then dwell over the next days and weeks waiting on results. I can only imagine there will be tough moments though.

We're here for you though, and I am praying it all comes out negative!
Big hugs!

rachylou

Veteran

I'm glad you shared, Shannon. Well, I think it's really hard to go it alone, and someone may know a helpful thing or two. You never know.

Deep breaths, eh?

Thistle

Veteran

I am sooo sorry!

When do you get the test results? For me, the waiting is the worst part.

I second Raisin doing something you enjoy is so good during stressful times!

I have you in my thoughts and prayers.

Gaylene

Veteran

Oh, Shannon, I went through much the same thing a few years ago but the outcome was not nearly as bad as I had feared. My surgery went well and, ten years later, I'm just fine.

It sounds like you are in good hands with a gyne-oncologist, but I know full well how nerve wracking it is to go for tests and then wait for results. A sign on the bulletin board at the Cancer Centre, though, helped me put things in a better perspective:
If you worry about something and it actually happens, then you have lived it twice.
That dumb quote got me laughing because I couldn't really figure out why I'd ever want to go through that period of my life twice.

Hang in there, use YLF as a diversion to get your mind on other things, and know that you have a wonderful support group here who will be virtually holding your hand throughout. * huge hug*

Anonymous

Shannon, I am so sorry you have been going through this. I am glad you decided to continue 'business as usual", as I can attest, this place can be really therapeutic. It is also very good that you are willing to speak about what's going on. I feel that speaking out loud helps me a lot, when I go thru my motions.

Hang in there ! I am sending you a ton of ultra fab pixie dust so this whole ordeal turns out to be nothing... but if it is, you will conquer it because you are strong and resilient. Stay positive. ((((Hugs)))

Anonymous

Big hugs and positive thoughts coming your way from me, Shannon!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh thank you Rae, Rachy, Thistle and Gaylene

It will be a few weeks before I get through everything and have all my results. It's strange because everything will be done in the Department I work in and by people I know. It's comforting but I'm also finding it's a bit of a double-edge sword because I know what to worry about and what certain tests and results mean.

At least I know what gyne-onc I want to work with, what direct questions to ask and how to be just pushy enough to move things along at a decent pace.

Gaylene - thank you especially for sharing your personal story with me. Much appreciated.

ETA: Just cross posted with Zap and Alicat - thank you both for your sweet words and hugs. I'll take them

donnat

Veteran

Shannon I am so sorry to hear your news. I have my fingers crossed that it is just hormonal craziness. Positive thinking,.....i am glad ylf adds a little lightness to your day...I'll be praying.

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon, I am glad you are back:) I was praying for you and thinking about you this morning. This all sounds worrying but I am trusting that the outcome will be positive for you.

Shannon I had a similar issue a few years back which made me so ill, my iron was dealthly low and periods that sound a lot like yours. In my case I had a large fibroid. I had a hysterectomy (they left me with one ovary) and I have enjoyed the best health in a long time.

Take care and try not to worry too much. More often than not things are not as bad as we think they will be.

Sending you a big hug and lots of love.x

missvee

Veteran

Oh what an awful worry for you. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. You look as wonderful as ever in your outfit post btw. Try to stay positive - it may well be related to menopause and nothing more. I had severe pelvic pain for over a year and it was thought to be from an ovarian cyst. I finally decided to have the ovary removed and bingo, no more trouble. And it was a benign cyst after all. But I have to admit it was a worry at the time not knowing what the surgeon would find. Sending lots of {{{{{hugs}}}}} to you!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, this I worrying for sure but I still hope this is not as bad as you fear!
I am sending you any hugs and positive energy and healing vibes!
As for YLF do whatever makes you feel better. We always love to have you around but if you are in pain and cannot be here we understand completely.
Get well soon!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I'm also a member of the bad gene pool club and I know how awful going through all kinds of tests can be. I myself went through menopause at age 35. Hopefully it's just hormonal changes that you're going through. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers, and please never stay away from your friends and supporters here on YLF!

We're here for you, girlfriend.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Man oh man - you all are like a TONIC with your positive energy and sweet words

I do hope I'm being overly worried and Deborah, I also thought it could be a uterine fibroid but that has already been ruled out.

I suspect regardless of what the findings show, I will be having at least a partial hysterectomy and I'm fine with that. At this stage and age, it serves no useful purpose so if it's "the enemy" then by all means, take it out!

Anonymous

Oh Shannon, how horrible to deal with. I hope it is just hormonal screwiness, and you can get it sorted soon and with a minimum of worry. Perhaps a hysterectomy would be the best option...at least you have a plan, and some knowledge to arm yourself with! And yes, if it isn't doing anything useful then perhaps better out than in

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Hey, don't let the gyne-oncs get you down; they are a very "special" breed of staff attendings and of course, residents - you know you work there, they can be difficult to like sometimes.

I hope that you are okay, Shannon, I'm glad you have the appropriate appointments lined up.

Do you have a laptop? That way you can be on the toilet and YLF at the SAME TIME

We love you!

Beth Ann

Veteran

So sorry you have to deal with this, Shannon. I hope and pray that you will find a quick and happy resolution to your health troubles. I'm sure that your colleagues will give you their best efforts and support. Keep us posted, and keep posting your fabness. We can't control what goes on in our bodies, but we can add a little beauty to the world by dressing them well!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Ceit - at least at the age of 50, I know I'm not going to be needing that uterus again!

lyn - OMG! I almost had Diet Pepsi come out my nose when I read your laptop/toilet comment - LOL! I do have an iPad that could come in handy! And yeah, the gyne oncs here are quite the bunch, aren't they? It's actually Dr. R.L. I'm seeing (hopefully you can figure out who that is since I shouldn't put his name here) and I trust the guy completely. Love ya right back

Beth Ann - what a fabulous comment "we can't control what goes on in our bodies, but we can add a little beauty to the world by dressing them well". I love that!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, huge hugs!! I love your attitude, too. This is how my mother dealt with her breast cancer. She had to have a mastectomy or at least she agreed to have one with lightning speed and no waffling because she felt as you do -- at her age and stage, what mattered most was living, and if surgery with deal with the problem, that was the solution! And she is ticking along just fine now.

Huge hugs, and we are thrilled beyond measure to have you back.

DonnaF

Veteran

Awk!!! Several WEEKS for results?!? If such stuff happened to men, it would probably only take days. Thank you for sharing. And scary indeed and a bit awkward, what with dealing with folks you know but in a very personal context. You have so much positive energy; I hope you feel better soon and the news you ultimately receive is the best it can be.

Diana

Veteran

Hugs, Shannon. I hope it's nothing more than your hormones deciding to have a bad day, but I'm glad you're taking all the steps to having it checked out. Better safe than sorry, right? And I admire you so much for your positive attitude!

I'm glad you're back here, and you know we have your back!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh Shannon I am so sorry you are going through this stressful period but I think you made the right decision sharing - I am awed by the amount of wisdom I have already read on this thread. I do love Gaylene's quote If you worry about something and it actually happens, then you have lived it twice. I think that is a great philosophy for so many things! Anyway, I am sending you long distance hugs and the warmest wishes.

MNsara

Veteran

Shannon, I'm so sorry this is something you have to deal with! Life hasn't been smooth lately I'll be thinking of you and praying for you, and hope the wait for appointments and results go quickly and calmly. (Love Gaylene's quote - how true!) I think it's fortuitous that your job is in the right place -- that they'll pay extra attention and take extra good care!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So much love and support for you on this thread. That makes my heart happy because it makes YOUR precious heart happy.

Shannon, I'm glad you shared too. LOVE what Gaylene said and echo Shevia and Suz wholeheartedly. Try not to self-diagnose and keep up your unbeatable positive attitude. One day at a time. Look! You made it through today. You will beat this and do not need to go through it alone. We are here for you 24/7. Lots of love and hugs. xoxo

Carla

Veteran

So wishing this hadn't come your way, Shannon. No real first hand experience here, but I do keep my radar on since my mother had a similar experience to what you report. She had a hysterectomy, and lost 1 ovary for endometriosis when she was 40. This year she will celebrate 75 yrs.

Post when you can and when you feel like it, sister!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Suz, Donna, Diana, Shevia, MNsara and Runcarla - thank you all so, so much for our encouragement and positive vibes.

Angie - because of you, YLF has become a place where we feel safe enough to share such personal things and see members as family and friends. You have assembled an amazing group of women here

I truly cannot thank you all enough for how you have made me feel. I'm a little teary and more than a bit "verklempt" (Saturday Night Live "coffee talk" reference).

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I am glad you have that guy because as much as he is gruff, he is very knowledgable and you will get the very best care which you deserve. *BIG HUGS*

No diet pepsi up the nose, it burns! :p

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm so sorry but am totally pulling for you. Can't offer any concrete advice because it's far outside my scope of knowledge. I can offer some awesome Seattle made chocolate if you need it.

Krista

Veteran

Shannon, I am sure this is most distressing for you and I'm sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable. Sending you tons of positive vibes. Stay strong!

Susie

Veteran

Shannon, I am so sorry to hear of your health concerns. The waiting for results is torturous. Please try to keep your positive attitude and wonderful spirit. I am sending all good thought for you and will keep you in my prayers.

Big hugs to you, pretty lady.

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