I went to the doctor today, and the first thought was food poisoning (staph) -- but that didn't explain the chicken chili episode earlier this month, so then it went to possible gallstones. I got a script for bloodwork and an abdominal ultrasound for tomorrow. I tried to get in for the ultrasound today, but apparently you have to not eat or drink since midnight for it to be valid, and I ate a grilled cheese and applesauce for lunch. Oops -- I almost didn't eat today just in case, but then my appointment was at 1:00 and I thought, why torture myself?
I looked at the blood lab slip though and saw "Urine Pregnancy Test HCG Beta."
It made me a little irritated, because it should be in my chart that that's an impossibility now, but I decided that I didn't want insurance to pay for a completely unnecessary test (plus I wanted to avoid having to pee in a cup).
"Excuse me, could you take this pregnancy test off my script? I don't actually have an endometrium, so that's not necessary."
I was directed to the nurse, who said, "Wait, you what?"
And I repeated, "I don't have an endometrium. My uterine lining was removed last December. For me to be pregnant would be some trick."
Luckily they were able to take it off the list, but then it turned out that I still needed a urine sample anyway for some sort of culture, so it really didn't save much, just the principle of the thing.
Also, I brought a giant book (A Conjuring of Light) with me to the appointment, even though I have Perfect Little World on my Kindle in my purse for Lori's Novel Approach book discussion, but I thought... what if? What if I have to go for a bunch of tests right then and there? What if something is found and I get stuck in the hospital without enough reading material? (This actually happened when I was admitted for my ectopic surgery, somehow there was a mixup and Bryce left with my book and I was left with crappy middle of the night TV when I couldn't sleep...awful.) I mean, the Kindle is sort of unlimited reading material, but I just finished the second book in that series and it was quite the cliffhanger, so if I was going to get stuck for hours I really wanted to have Conjuring to follow Perfect Little World.
I wonder if I'll ever be able to NOT worst-case-scenario things.
I hope I get (simple) answers soon. You know I don't do well with uncertainty...
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I tend to jump to worst-case scenarios too. I think it's part of having an anxiety-prone brain. And so is having trouble with uncertainty. I hope you get good results that ease your mind soon. <3
ReplyDeleteRight? Anxiety-prone brain gets you every time! Results are mostly good, although I'm real pissed that it seems PCOS and Celiac combined are out to get me. :(
DeleteI know you won't necessarily like this, but I kinda wish you had had the pregnancy test. Ectopics, as you know, don't need an endometrium to implant elsewhere (ovarian, abdominal, fallopian), and your symptoms did give me some concern in that regard. I say this also because someone could be reading this who might need to know this information in the future. Best practice is that when abdominal pain presents in a woman with ovaries under about 50 years of age, a pregnancy test should be taken. (You can take me out of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, but you can't take the years of volunteering with hundreds of women out of the blogger!)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're getting tested, and will hopefully have some simple answers soon.
And yes, I know the worst-case scenario thing. Rather, I call it "being prepared," treat it as a virtue, and blame it on the fact that I was a Girl Guide! Also, it makes me sound much less pessimistic. lol
And just like that, I crowd-sourced a pee-stick.
DeleteI feel shame that I negated that test, although I highly doubt that's what it is, I should have let it stand for all the reasons you mention.
And "being prepared" -- yes! I was (briefly) a Girl Scout, so yes. I do think that being prepared is better than winging it and dancing with disaster. Although expecting disaster at every turn is exhausting.
Thanks for your info!
Shockingly I'm not pregnant, but I am very glad to have that peace of mind. :)
DeleteI have to chuckle because the nurse was likely blown away by your explanation for why you didn’t need a pregnancy test. A good lesson for why it’s important to read a patient’s chart.
ReplyDeleteBut yes to the worst case scenarios. I’m guilty of this too (living my own version of it). Sadly, I don’t think the preparing will ever become something we don’t do given we now know too much.
I bet you're right! It's funny, my doctor who did the surgery said that I'd need to explain it to radiologists if ever having an ER ultrasound, because he's the only one doing that surgery and there's not a lot of awareness. Apparently my uterus now looks like a giant black hole, like antimatter. Hmmph.
DeleteI agree...preparing for worst case scenarios is definitely a side effect of infertility. Pooper. I guess it's just important to not be crippled by the worst case scenarios...
Hoping that it's a simple fix; something that doesn't repeat.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Me, too. I am thinking more and more it was a stomach bug, but the ultrasound revealed something related to my PCOS and celiac that is irritating, but fixable. Arrrrrggggghhhhhh.
DeleteFingers crossed you get a result soon and that it is no big deal. I love the Kindle app on my phone because I always have books downloaded to read on it- or I can always download a new one if necessary!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I am hoping it was just a stomach bug, and nothing too nefarious. Although the ultrasound revealed a liver issue related to PCOS (AND celiac, goody goody), and so I guess I'm off on a weight loss journey as that's the best treatment. Woo. Hoo. Too bad thanks to PCOS that's more challenging than it ought to be... :(
DeleteAnd I love my kindle and keep it in my purse at all times, but never read on my phone (except for articles/web stuff)... I need a bigger screen! Maybe it's those over 40 eyeballs...
Simple fix. No repeats. Yes, that is the ticket, the wish for you.
ReplyDeleteand Oh, by the way, my email is theonlydaughter@gmail.com. I would love a card. :-)
DeleteI hope this was just a one off thing like a stomach bug or a food thing that went wrong.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jess. We are kindreds. As much as I hate medical stuff, especially uncertainty, right up there is being stuck somewhere with not enough to read.
ReplyDeleteHope it all turns out to be a big nothing. And that you enjoy the book.
Oh no. I feel your pain on the gastro-related ailments, although I had no idea celiac and liver issues were comorbid. I'm glad it sounds like they found something that can be resolved, but oy, who wants one more thing to be resolved! Hope you feel better and stay feeling better ASAP!
ReplyDeleteUgh, glad it seems to be fixable, but I hate that you have to go through all this testing, etc., AGAIN. Hang in there...!
ReplyDelete