All my best wishes too, Shannon. And I know you have reason to be worried, but so many times the same situation ends up having a totally benign cause, so here's hoping!

Oh, gosh, of course you can come back, you silly thing. Well, this all sounds super scary and physically and emotionally exhausting. We're all here for you - I'm glad you're getting things checked out.

Blowing good wished your way!

Waiting is SO hard. Sending millions of positive thoughts your way - there they go Just want to say that I so admire your attitude to this & life in general - you really are a beautiful person.

p.s. Like Deborah I had similar symptoms & it turned out to be fibroids.

Shannon- So sorry for all you are navigating now. My family has faced serious health issues and I think the time when you know something needs to be addressed, but have yet to learn the specific diagnosis and treatment plans, is particularly tough. My thoughts are with you. You seem well situated to get the info you need to proceed and as for support, may your IRL network be as warm as the response to this thread.

Oh Shannon I am so sorry to hear this. I believe your positive attitude will serve you well. I am grateful that you know and trust your medical team.
I am so glad you decided to keep participating.

Shannon it does sound like you are keeping your sense of humour and keeping your thoughts in balance, you know you have loads of support.
The waiting must be the worst part and can be so consuming. My GP detected a 'mass' in my abdomen (on a Friday) and I had to wait 4 days for an ultrasound. I know that 's not really long but it felt like forever and my mind kept going places I didn't want it to. It's quite a challenge to keep the mind under control. Like you I figured I wasn't using my uterus any longer so I didn't mind loosing it Stay strong.

Well this just sucks. I am so sorry! And - sending you my love and my prayers. If you need anything else Shannon - let me know! You are special and you are loved - and you. will. get. through. this.

So sorry to read that you've been dealing with all of these symptoms, but wanted to say that I'm sending my very best wishes that you can get a speedy diagnosis/answer as to the cause of these symptoms, and more importantly - that the situation can be healed up quickly and easily.

Glad you're "back" because you're 100% right in that when times are stressful/tough, it's much better to enjoy the things that make you happy - not to mention the pleasant distraction, especially if you're having to wait around a bit for some answers.

I don't know enough about this stuff to offer up any kind of ideas, but it sounds like you're in good hands, and that this will get solved.

In the meantime, know that there are lots of us thinking of you, and that it'll get resolved soon. Sending along some virtual homemade chicken soup ...and here's hoping you're snuggling up at home a lot, taking good care of yourself while you get this sorted out.

Oh, Shannon! So sorry to hear about this medical mishegas! I'm sending you all my love and support! I'm glad you'll be hanging out with us as you walk through this challenge! XXX OOO

Uncertainty is just the worst So glad you have an iPad! My dad's been hospitalized twice lately and his iPad (that we gave him for his 80th birthday) came in *so* handy. You'll be able to stay in touch wherever you are, and at home too if you're recuperating (add me to the list of fabbers whose health was greatly improved by this operation). I want for you whatever peace you can have during this difficult waiting period.

Sending you good thoughts and vibes, hugs to you and your family. I don't think anything can withstand your positive energy force!

Shannon, I'm so sorry you are going through such a worrying time and I'm glad you are back on YLF to soak up the lovely positive vibes. I'm also sending you a virtual hug and hoping for the best outcome for you.

So sorry to hear this, Shannon! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and truly hope that test results come back positive. You are a true YLF star.

Big, BIG hugs, Shannon!! I am so sorry that you are in so much pain and have to deal with this. The waiting and uncertainty are torturous, but you are on this, Shannon, you have the required tests and appointments lined up and your positive attitude and fighting spirit in place. You will get through this, and we will be here to support you all the way, so OF COURSE it's alright to pop by whenever you feel up to it, you sweet thing;-)

Hang in there!!

Sending you loads of good wishes and strength as you go through this! I haven't had personal experience with this, so I can only imagine how stressful!

Shannon, I will be thinking of you in the coming days and weeks and wishiing you the best. Keep that positive attitude going and with the love in your life, you can get through anything.

Take care.

Shannon, I'm thinking of you and sending all the positive vibes I have!

I'm with Caro and Deborah in the fibroid/hysterectomy camp -- three weeks yesterday and I'm already starting to feel better than I did before surgery (except when I sneeze, OUCH!). A dear friend of mine has PCOS, and from her experience, I would never underestimate what a body goes through during menopause with PCOS. I wholeheartedly hope that's all there is to this.

You have been taking such good care of yourself in your fitness and eating efforts! That all bodes well for you too, for whatever your diagnosis and treatment may entail.

Big hugs to you! We love you!

(((Big Hugs Shannon))) Sounds like you are on top of things and are keeping a positive attitude - both so important. I don't have any direct experience with this but I do have anemia from time to time from heavy periods so I can relate to that part and agree it's can be very uncomfortable. Praying for a quick resolution for you and for you to feel better VERY soon!

Sorry to hear this Shannon but so glad you decided to share because I have been thinking about you and worrying.
I am truly hoping that you you get your tests and results in record time! I know that we often have to wait much too long here for those things.
XO

I'm so sorry you don't feel well and are in such pain! I always feel that purgatory period of waiting and not knowing is the hardest part. Once I know what's wrong (good or bad) I can take action and start planning. Hoping for the best!

Oh, Shannon, that is so scary! I once menstruated for a month straight and that was bad enough, I can't imagine it at that level and with all that pain besides. Sending my thoughts into the universe for you. Big hugs, hang in there while you wait for them to figure out what needs doing.

So sorry this is happering to you. Stay strong. Sending all my positive energy through the keyboard.

I'm sending you prayers and happy thoughts!

It's great that you are being so proactive and facing this head-on. Knowledge is always the best way to deal with these situations, and you know you have lots of support here. Hang in there!

One word: LaFuma. When I had my H-surgery, I spent the first three weeks in the zero gravity chair. It was the hottest part of the summer, the mesh was cool, and I could change into comfortable positions as needed and get up without help. I also cooked loads of freezer meals if your guys don't cook, it will be a comfort to have home-cooked stuff you know you like.

Bummer, but parts that are trying to kill you belong in a specimen jar, not me. Glad you have someone you trust on your side, that makes all the difference. Hope you get to action quickly, the waiting around is more stressful than any of the doing. Hugs and good wishes coming your way.

I am so sorry to hear this, Shannon. It is scary. The upside is that medicine is so advanced now a days that you will fine. It is tough to go through. I nodded with complete understanding when you said you couldn't go to work due to the heavy bleeds. When I was a freshman in college ( yes, let's focus on me now ), I couldn't have two classes back to back because my periods were so heavy that I had to go "change" between classes.

Back to you : ) Please be sure that you follow up with your doctors and take care of yourself.

We love you and want you healthy !!!

I feel completely overwhelmed with all of your kindness ladies. Truly. I'm afraid I'm a bit speechless at the moment.

Lots of warm fuszies coming your way...if you do use your ipad in non-authorized locations, i won"t tell...;-)

Shannon, I am so sorry. I agree that the waiting and the wondering is the absolute worst. At least when you know you and your dr.s can make a plan and take action.

Although I was not yet near menopause, I experienced something similar recently. I quite literally almost bled to death, and the dr. was astounded that I was still conscious and upright given that my iron levels were so low. I had precancerous cells, had a hysterectomy leaving the ovaries intact, and I have never felt better. I literally have not felt this good in years. My dr. and I agree that I was bleeding excessively for years, and I made the mistake of thinking that was "normal" for me.

I hope that you have similar results after your tests return and whatever action you and your dr. decide is right for you. Please keep us updated, and you will be in my thoughts.