posted on April 10, 2005 07:05:52 PM new
dbl, thanks! But I'll be ok, I know I will, its just the thought, right now, of that damn MRI. I'm gonna freak in that claustrophobic tube! Hopefully they will have headphones! This is a new facility, so they probably will.
My dr says 'don't worry, these things do NOT have to be cancerous, and sometimes you won't need surgery' OK, let me find out if there is one first!
God I hate those MRIs!! (I know I know, I'm a wuss! )
posted on April 10, 2005 07:17:07 PM new
Nearthesea: Surely the MRI folks or your own doctor can give you a sedative to get you through that claustrophobia? You have my sympathy. I've never had an MRI but dread it--although I hear that the tubes are bigger now and not so scary.
It's funny: Mother Nature does NOT want us in enclosed spaces and works hard on us to get out --NOW. My only experience was 20 years ago when I was getting a complete physical. To measure the amount of body fat I carried, I had to let out all my breath, submerge in a coffin-like thing with water in it, with weights on my stomach to hold me down, and stay in there for 30 seconds. Incredible how much my brain tried to get me out of there. Panic city. I was really surprised.
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posted on April 10, 2005 07:27:33 PM new
NTS I hope your experience is a good one. I worked in an MRI and there were many people that didn't like it. But remember it doesn't take long. The technologist that work those units usually have a lot of compassion. Maybe you will be lucky and have the open MRI. That is the sides are open and you don't feel claustrophobic. I hope this MRI is one of them. I will say prayers for you and also for you Roadsmith. I did have the GB surgery but it was many years ago and I have a 26 inch scar diagonally across my abdomen. My sister just had hers out and it was a breeze. She had laproscopy.
Thanks for your kind thoughts Roadsmith, I haven't seen a physician yet. You know the people who work in the medical profession are the last to go to the doctors. I guess that is me. I have to talk with my insurance agent first to see if I need to add something to my insurance plan then I have to wait some months. I will limp until then. As to bending over, who does that. Not me, that is why I have a husband. He at least is good for something. What is so sad I used to walk over 2 miles a day and now nothing.
Are we getting old or what? I think mine is the first.
Again Good Luck to you Near The Sea and Roadsmith.
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[ edited by Libra63 on Apr 10, 2005 07:29 PM ]
posted on April 12, 2005 10:23:10 AM new
Hi
Yes I had it done. I was scared. I have had all kinds of x rays, and all types of ultra sounds, the kind where you have to drink the barium stuff, I believe I bout had them all, but the MRI
The tech showed me the machine LOL, had me touch it! showing how the back end is open, and you are in constant communication with him through a speaker thing. They did strap my head good though! He did give me earplugs, but even with those, I could still hear the 'hammering'. He would tell me through the speaker each time he did a section, and would say this is going to be 4 minutes, or this is going to be 2 minutes
(which actually seemed like FOREVER) and they he took me out, only to inject a dye? whatever, then back in. I really DON'T want to do that again, but to anyone that needs one, its really not bad at all, I got worked up over nothing (like usual)
Now waiting for my dr with the results, now thats going to be a long wait (for me)
posted on April 12, 2005 12:03:21 PM new
NTS, youre gonna be alright. I JUST KNOW IT.
(...and you know how I am hardly evvver wrong about anything that I am pretty sure of! hahahahaha... . )
posted on April 12, 2005 01:14:41 PM new
bravo to you NTS, I knew you would get throught it with flying colors. MRI Techs (x-ray Techs) are compassionate people. They understand and try their best to help their patients.
Waiting is the worst part and it does seem long. Go and spend some of your day with your new grandchild and some of your day in here. It will make you feel better and make the wait shorter.
posted on April 12, 2005 08:02:51 PM new
Wow, didn't have to wait long. My dr called me today, and as he thought, there is a tumor. He's sending me to a specialist, as he is just a GP. I don't think it will be really serious. He said it was most likely benign and small.
I am not going to worry about it, the symptoms right now are not that bad. But will of course see the specialist
dbl, I'm hold ya to that (never being wrong ) and this isn't really serious (my GP doesn't think so )
posted on April 12, 2005 10:19:30 PM new
NTS, wow that was fast - results back in one day!? I am glad you're going to see a specialist.
When I was a kid, they told my dad he had a tumor in his brain. This is going back alot of years, but all I remember after that is that he had to get his teeth all pulled? Dont ask, because I never got the full story of how that was related to whatever it was, and afterward it never amounted to anything more. - Maybe it was an abcess going to his brain from his teeth? I dont know!! But he had a good set of teeth, so,.. I never did figure out what happened there - and it was just something never talked about again. I imagine he may have told them to go jump in a lake. He didnt have alot of confidence in doctors. So if he did have a tumor - he lived with it all those years. That might explain the eccentricity of his personality a little bit. Today, though, they have so much better technology. I think its alot less prevelant to make a mistake or wrong diagnosis. Me? Well, I go by my gut. And I really feel you're going to be okay. I just feel ya hafta be. So dont let me be wrong - okay? :0\
posted on April 12, 2005 10:44:53 PM new
dbl
yeah it was fast (kinda scared me that it was) but my dr and the imaging center belong to the same medical group (and are really close by each other) so it was faxed or couried over to him.
Wow, about your dad! I'm not sure if this is a wives tale or not, but when you have one infected tooth, and it has 'junk' in it (junk is a highly medical term ya know LOL) and you swallow it, someone told me its poisonus, don't know if that is remotely true or not! But its amazing about your dad!
And if it was awhile ago, maybe that is how they treated brain tumors?
I think they have come a long way in medical research of the brain and such, that the new dr will have options (I hope!) besides surgery. I really REALLy don't want any more surgery.
Well I'm off, and going to hit it..... I HAVE MORE buyers telling me they'll 'pay later' AGAIN! ugh
posted on April 13, 2005 06:23:00 AM new
That was quick and I wish all medical issues could go that fast. You must have a great physician. Good Luck in your next adventure and I know I will be thinking about you and knowing that it probably is benign is great also. Those grandchildren need you as you will probably be one of the rocks in their life. The love for grandchildren runs a very close second to your children. It's the memories they bring back to you when your children were young. Keep us posted.
posted on April 13, 2005 07:20:21 AM new "Me? Well, I go by my gut. And I really feel you're going to be okay. I just feel ya hafta be. So dont let me be wrong - okay? :0\ "
I have more confidence in Dbl's "gut" than the medical profession so it's likely that you will be OK, Nearthesea!
posted on April 13, 2005 10:21:46 AM new
Isn't everyone out to make money?
Have your groceries gone up, Gasoline prices High. Antiques out of reach, It is not just the lawyers and physicians, it is everyone. Try paying for day care. The price of cars. It is one vicious circle and it will never stop. At least they stopped some bankruptcies so that people can't overspend to much. Credit Card companies just up your limit without asking and I think that is wrong. Just gives the overspender more credit to overspend.
Try going out to eat. Yuk. Hamburger, fries and that's it. Some places $12.00. Now they want you also to tip 20% because owners of restaurants don't pay their waitress' a decent wage. But then they never did...
Okay enough venting for the day. Off to baby sit the granddaughter so that they don't have to pay that high priced day care. Just taking away another child from day care.
posted on April 13, 2005 10:57:43 AM new
Helen, thats what my father thought, too!
I have to say some of them are decent and, smart,or talented, but they are few and hard to find. When I went for my hands, this one guy said surgery right away. No tests, blood work, alternate therapy's, just - you'll need surgery. I was like, yeah, see you later, bud. I knew I wasnt going back to him!
.
[ edited by dblfugger9 on Apr 13, 2005 11:06 AM ]
posted on April 13, 2005 12:24:03 PM new
Good God!!! I go away for a few days and come back to read this about Near?!? On my Cancer thread?
Well, obviously I feel stupid Near, because my topic was geared towards people that encourage their own cancer, not the others, like yourself. I hope you could see the difference. I'm VERY SORRY to hear this. Is there anything I can do?
posted on April 13, 2005 01:20:13 PM new
Was wondering where you went off to kraft? Thought you either skulked away from this thread, or you ran away with the dog! - Which btw, have to tell you, there is nothing about that show appeals to me! Just not into biker type dudes and such.
And I dont really understand you on this issue. You always seemed like a very caring person. I dont think we have to "coddle" them or feel sorry for them, but if there's anyone you can afford to be kind to is someone that is ill. Especially when you have good health yourself. jmo.
posted on April 13, 2005 01:32:25 PM new
kraft: Is there anything I can do?
YES, send any amount (larger the better) to my paypal account at .......
LOL, no, and it was strange, how I had the MRI, and found the results DURING this thread, but I'm going to be ok, really!
I have an appt with the specialist, and she'll decide what is best. My dr has discussed this with her, and they both agree that it isn't life threatening, but doing all she can to either reduce it, or surgery, which I do NOT want. But all this is in the future, and am not going to think about it. It Will be ok
Helen, wow, I'd give ya a hug, but.... just consider that I just did ok?
We (Mike and me) went and thought all about what has gone on. I beleive it started about 4 months ago? I went to use the bathroom and just out of the blue, it was like a blinding flash and I passed out, luckily Mike was there, I cut my lip, other than that, I was ok. But I saw my dr. After many many blood tests they came out the same, which indicated something, all of which I don't know what the hell he called it. He told me over a month ago I needed an MRI, but I kept telling him, oh just wait another month and do the blood test again, and that was it, he said it had the highest whatever (whatever is a technical medical word ya know ) and that I HAD to get one, and NOW, so I did, and these are the results, so I'll just go from here. I won't dwell, and I believe that it is nothing major, and won't think about it!
In fact, as soon as Mike gets back I'm going to the casino (by now I'm sure your all convinced I'm a compulsive gambler LOL! probably ) but they do have a great restaurant there!
So, I'm ok, and hoping Libra and Roadsmith are ok also!
A friend of mine says this all the time, 'after 40 its just patch, patch, patch' and I agree! LOL! (she is kidding when she says that!)
posted on April 13, 2005 01:49:03 PM new
Double - Sorry, I don't "skulk" away from threads and still feel the same way I did when I started this. It's too bad you couldn't see my point (as usual), but at least you got to see the Dog. Isn't he something? I knew you'd be speechless.
Near (and Roadsmith and Libra), I only hope the best for you guys.
posted on April 13, 2005 01:54:26 PM new
Well, what is your point? If somebody has cancer, or whatever lifethreatening illness -- what good does it do to tell them how they got it? They already know. Fat people already know they're not healthy. Smokers already know they might get cancer from smoking. So what do you want to do? Admonish them for what they've done? C'mon kraft, this is 2005. If somebody dont know what they'ree supposed to be doing to stay healthy, they'd have to be living in a bubble. What is it you feel you have to tell them and what good does it do at that point anyway?
Good luck to you! I chose radiation for my tumor over surgery. Thankfully, it worked. Mine wasn't in the brain, though, so I can't fully understand what you're going through. Most here know my daughter had a breast cancer scare not too long ago. Fortunately, they couldn't find anything. They determined it was a fiberous cyst brought on by hormonal changes. Anyway, her pap smear just came back with suspicious results. They've told her to wait six months to get another one. Can you imagine having to wait six months and all that time thinking something could be seriously wrong? She's waiting, but if it were me I'd have another one now. I waited once before and ended up with a stage three cancerous tumor. No more waiting for me!
You sound like you are keeping in good spirits and going at this with a positive attitude. That will make all the difference.
posted on April 13, 2005 06:58:54 PM new
Cheryl! wow. I thought you said before ovary or ovarian tumor?
I had a tumor that they saw in ultra sound on my left ovary, and said it was about the size of a grapefruit. So they told me I needed surgery. Actually was glad I did! What they thought was a grapefruit size turned out to be the size of a newborn baby, it was 6 pounds. And yes, they took pictures, they gave me one, (my kids have it, they thought it was GROSS, but wanted it, who knows with my kids it may be on the internet somewhere!) and kept it, they also sent it back east for research. It was benign, but knowing that it was that HUGE I didn't even feel it, I didn't have a big stomach at all, I was still wearing size 6. I didn't have a clue, another good dr that while doing a pelvic ( I think! ) said there is something there, and ordered that ultra sound. My surgeon was great too. He did have me sign papers if they had to do a hysterectomy they would (they didn't, I had that TWO years later) anyway, they blew me away, and left a huge foot long or so scar, but I don't mind that one at all.
I swear I think I must be a 'tumor magnet' Yes I am ok with it. I have gone through all sorts of treatments, for all different things, some that I was born with, some came later, know drs ARE NOT God now, and I will definitly look at ALL options, including a 2nd opinion if I have to.
And! I hope that everyone that reads this, that has a serious or not so serious condition, don't think your dr is the be all end all, you can get second opinions, and if you can, I highly advise it! I wish I would have when that OLDER Gyn dr talked me into a hysterectomy. Not nessecary at all, and I remember he told me, 'Well your over 30, you certainly do not think your going to have more babies do you?' that was low and yeah I COULD have had more, I was NOT that old. I had just met Mike, not living with him or anything, and didn't know at the time that he did want kids of his own (now he will never have any of his own) but he does love mine, and loves the grandbaby
I was lucky that it was cervical which even in stage 3 has a high cure rate. They wanted to do a hysterectomy after they shrunk the tumor, but I was given massive doses of radiation and that took care of everything including the ovaries so I opted out. The adverse effects of the radiation will be with me for life, though. It's been since 1990.
posted on April 14, 2005 06:09:02 AM new
Cheryl I just had a pap smear and I had the same results. Atypical cells please return in 3 months for a repeat. I think the labs are getting really technical in their diagnosis and want to make sure that what they see is nothing. I returned and I got a negative report. I also think 6 months is a long time to wait but when they say that they know it is probably negative, but they want to make sure.
BTW Roadsmith should be home re-cooperating today. I hope she is doing okay. Maybe she will come here and report.
What is so sad I used to walk over 2 miles a day and now nothing.
Sorry, I don't "skulk" away from threads and still feel the same way I did when I started this. It's too bad you couldn't see my point (as usual), but at least you got to see the Dog. Isn't he something? I knew you'd be speechless.