Hypochondria + Free Canadian Healthcare = ???
For the last 3-4 weeks I have been having all kinds of aches and pains, especially upper back and joints.
Plus persistent cough (cold? smoking?), foggy brain and sleepiness (chemo? menopause? being lazy?) - obviously I have diagnosed myself with brain, lung and bone cancer. Don't judge. At least I ruled out prostate cancer.
Getting my way with poor unsuspecting walk-in-clinic doctor was easy. Tomorrow I am getting a full body bone scan; next Wednesday - full body CT scan. Saving CA125 test for last - on April 17th.
I hope cool pictures will make you smile 
Comments
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You must be my best friend!
You make me laugh out loud, even when I am trying my hardest to be sulking, moody, and depressed! You are a blessing! I hope work isn't being too rough for you.
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You are funny. You do not
You are funny. You do not have brainn, lung or bone cancer. They would have seen it on you scan silly. Welcome to life after chemo. I get aches and pains on and off all the time. My Onc says it is not from the chemo. My regular doc said it is most likely the lack of hormones. She gave me a script for percosett in case the tylenol doesnt help. She believes what we went through is definetly not fair and thinks we should not have to suffer for something that is not our fault. Trust me, I paniced too when it was happening to me in the beginning. It hurt worst in the spring and fall when we were camping and it would get damp at night. Stay warm. The cold does not help. The fuzzy brain is chemo brain. A few weeks ago my shoulders were bothering me. I of course goggled it and found out it was referred pain and it was actually lung cancer. Turns out it was actually my shoulders. It was the muscles in my upper arms and they hurt because I was driving my husbands truck. LMAO. How sad is that.
Chemo wreaks havoc on our bodies and I P chemo is really bad. I still get twinges and pains once in a while. My onc told me to expect that. What they need to know is anything that lasts steady for 2 weeks or more then I should mention it. I freaked at every pain I got. I am 9 months out of chemo and still get twinges and aches here and there and joint pain too but it goes away. When my joints hurt I soak in a nice warm bath... That helps alot.
You will get used to your new normal...
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Hey, just for youwholfmeister said:You must be my best friend!
You make me laugh out loud, even when I am trying my hardest to be sulking, moody, and depressed! You are a blessing! I hope work isn't being too rough for you.
This picture has nothing to do with the subject, I keep it on desktop to fight depression
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Sign me up for BFF too
Sign me up ...you would be the coolest BFF in the world!! Alexandra, you really are a blessing...you make me so happy and I always read your post to my hubby and call up several girlfriends to let them hear your post.
Keep up the good "work"
((HUGS)) Joan
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Thank you Eileen for encouragementGlad to be done said:You are funny. You do not
You are funny. You do not have brainn, lung or bone cancer. They would have seen it on you scan silly. Welcome to life after chemo. I get aches and pains on and off all the time. My Onc says it is not from the chemo. My regular doc said it is most likely the lack of hormones. She gave me a script for percosett in case the tylenol doesnt help. She believes what we went through is definetly not fair and thinks we should not have to suffer for something that is not our fault. Trust me, I paniced too when it was happening to me in the beginning. It hurt worst in the spring and fall when we were camping and it would get damp at night. Stay warm. The cold does not help. The fuzzy brain is chemo brain. A few weeks ago my shoulders were bothering me. I of course goggled it and found out it was referred pain and it was actually lung cancer. Turns out it was actually my shoulders. It was the muscles in my upper arms and they hurt because I was driving my husbands truck. LMAO. How sad is that.
Chemo wreaks havoc on our bodies and I P chemo is really bad. I still get twinges and pains once in a while. My onc told me to expect that. What they need to know is anything that lasts steady for 2 weeks or more then I should mention it. I freaked at every pain I got. I am 9 months out of chemo and still get twinges and aches here and there and joint pain too but it goes away. When my joints hurt I soak in a nice warm bath... That helps alot.
You will get used to your new normal...
You're probably right. All my pains started after the 10-hr round trip to Detroit. And I'm still bruised up from the tummy tuck. It can't be lack of hormones because I have been on estrogen pills and cream since October.
I like the bath idea. With bubbles. And music on ipod. And scented candles. And a glass of red. And the most romantic part - while hubby is doing my taxes. Sweet!
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Ha-ha, love all of the picturesGlad to be done said:You are funny. You do not
You are funny. You do not have brainn, lung or bone cancer. They would have seen it on you scan silly. Welcome to life after chemo. I get aches and pains on and off all the time. My Onc says it is not from the chemo. My regular doc said it is most likely the lack of hormones. She gave me a script for percosett in case the tylenol doesnt help. She believes what we went through is definetly not fair and thinks we should not have to suffer for something that is not our fault. Trust me, I paniced too when it was happening to me in the beginning. It hurt worst in the spring and fall when we were camping and it would get damp at night. Stay warm. The cold does not help. The fuzzy brain is chemo brain. A few weeks ago my shoulders were bothering me. I of course goggled it and found out it was referred pain and it was actually lung cancer. Turns out it was actually my shoulders. It was the muscles in my upper arms and they hurt because I was driving my husbands truck. LMAO. How sad is that.
Chemo wreaks havoc on our bodies and I P chemo is really bad. I still get twinges and pains once in a while. My onc told me to expect that. What they need to know is anything that lasts steady for 2 weeks or more then I should mention it. I freaked at every pain I got. I am 9 months out of chemo and still get twinges and aches here and there and joint pain too but it goes away. When my joints hurt I soak in a nice warm bath... That helps alot.
You will get used to your new normal...
Especially the picture of the luckless kitty!! I'm surprised we're not all hypochondriacs, given our situations. Chances are, there's nothing serious going on and the scans will confirm that for you. It's very hard to not to think "cancer" with every ache and pain. I wonder if that thought process will ever change...?
Kelly
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Joan and Kelly, you rock. Thanks!JoanC said:Sign me up for BFF too
Sign me up ...you would be the coolest BFF in the world!! Alexandra, you really are a blessing...you make me so happy and I always read your post to my hubby and call up several girlfriends to let them hear your post.
Keep up the good "work"
((HUGS)) Joan
I decided to be a sassy redhead for a while. While my real brown afro is quietly growing.
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I love the red hair on youAlexandra said:Joan and Kelly, you rock. Thanks!
I decided to be a sassy redhead for a while. While my real brown afro is quietly growing.
I love the red hair on you
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Got bone scan results back today
No bone mets. Best looking skeleton in Canada! Now I just have to ace the CT scan on Wednesday and go study for the CA125 test next week.
"Chemo brain" story. Today I tried to describe my favourite Oasis smoothie to a co-worker and could not remember the name of the fruit it is made of. The word was on the tip of my tongue. I even knew that in French and Russian it's called "Ananas", but forgot the English word. A little embarrassed, I started describing the fruit to her, said it looks like a large yellow pine cone. She was a little scared and quietly asked "Pineapple"? Hell yeh!
Maybe I need to add brain scan to the mix.
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Yahoo, Alexandra!Alexandra said:Got bone scan results back today
No bone mets. Best looking skeleton in Canada! Now I just have to ace the CT scan on Wednesday and go study for the CA125 test next week.
"Chemo brain" story. Today I tried to describe my favourite Oasis smoothie to a co-worker and could not remember the name of the fruit it is made of. The word was on the tip of my tongue. I even knew that in French and Russian it's called "Ananas", but forgot the English word. A little embarrassed, I started describing the fruit to her, said it looks like a large yellow pine cone. She was a little scared and quietly asked "Pineapple"? Hell yeh!
Maybe I need to add brain scan to the mix.
So glad you have no bone mets and praying for the same good news from the CT scan and CA 125. My feeling is that you will get the "thumbs up" for both tests!
Good "chemo brain" story! I'm two years out of chemo and still hold "chemo brain" as a card tucked up my sleeve and use it with no shame when I need it!
Kelly
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You are too funny! Glad yourAlexandra said:Got bone scan results back today
No bone mets. Best looking skeleton in Canada! Now I just have to ace the CT scan on Wednesday and go study for the CA125 test next week.
"Chemo brain" story. Today I tried to describe my favourite Oasis smoothie to a co-worker and could not remember the name of the fruit it is made of. The word was on the tip of my tongue. I even knew that in French and Russian it's called "Ananas", but forgot the English word. A little embarrassed, I started describing the fruit to her, said it looks like a large yellow pine cone. She was a little scared and quietly asked "Pineapple"? Hell yeh!
Maybe I need to add brain scan to the mix.
You are too funny! Glad your bone scan was good. Good luck on your other tests. Love the red. I am dark headed and thinkning about going platinum for fun this summer. Not sure I have the nerve - but as short as it is at least it will grow out quickly if it looks hideous!
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Got CT scan results back today
Excellent news: it's clear of little "nasties": tumors, mets, enlarged lymph nodes, ascites, etc. All <remaining> organs look unremarkable.
Less excellent news: new ventral hernia directly above belly button with 5 cm wide opening and a loop of small bowel poking out of it. Family doctor said it has potential for bowel obstruction and told me to get it fixed asap. Surgeon called me back and promised that it can be done laprascopically. Meeting with him on Tuesday to look at the CT scan CD and to schedule surgery.
He is the forth handsome doctor inside me in the last 6 months. For a semi-bald overweight woman past her prime - I am on fire!
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Ha ha haAlexandra said:Got bone scan results back today
No bone mets. Best looking skeleton in Canada! Now I just have to ace the CT scan on Wednesday and go study for the CA125 test next week.
"Chemo brain" story. Today I tried to describe my favourite Oasis smoothie to a co-worker and could not remember the name of the fruit it is made of. The word was on the tip of my tongue. I even knew that in French and Russian it's called "Ananas", but forgot the English word. A little embarrassed, I started describing the fruit to her, said it looks like a large yellow pine cone. She was a little scared and quietly asked "Pineapple"? Hell yeh!
Maybe I need to add brain scan to the mix.
Sasenka, hit your head in the back. Usually it helps me. One time I was thinking hard how to say in English kompresor. With that hit I`m changing language centre in my brain.
BTW thank so refreshing my Russian skills. I enjoyed to read yours and Zina`s post in azbuka.
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EXCELLENT!!Alexandra said:Got CT scan results back today
Excellent news: it's clear of little "nasties": tumors, mets, enlarged lymph nodes, ascites, etc. All <remaining> organs look unremarkable.
Less excellent news: new ventral hernia directly above belly button with 5 cm wide opening and a loop of small bowel poking out of it. Family doctor said it has potential for bowel obstruction and told me to get it fixed asap. Surgeon called me back and promised that it can be done laprascopically. Meeting with him on Tuesday to look at the CT scan CD and to schedule surgery.
He is the forth handsome doctor inside me in the last 6 months. For a semi-bald overweight woman past her prime - I am on fire!
Alexandra, that is excellent good news! I'm very happy for you.
Yes, the hernia should be fixed soon...it will mess up that flat profile you worked so hard to achieve, and could be potentially maybe perhaps a risk for obstruction or necrosis. With your luck...get it fixed!
Your next trip to Detroit, I'll meet you at the casino in Windsor and tell you about the very handsome young anesthesiologist sits next to me at a quarterly state board meeting. <<blushing!!>>
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Thank you Merrilywholfmeister said:EXCELLENT!!
Alexandra, that is excellent good news! I'm very happy for you.
Yes, the hernia should be fixed soon...it will mess up that flat profile you worked so hard to achieve, and could be potentially maybe perhaps a risk for obstruction or necrosis. With your luck...get it fixed!
Your next trip to Detroit, I'll meet you at the casino in Windsor and tell you about the very handsome young anesthesiologist sits next to me at a quarterly state board meeting. <<blushing!!>>
It's a date!
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Hi AlexandraAlexandra said:Thank you Merrily
It's a date!
I'm so happy about your CT scan results. Isn't "unremarkable" a beautiful word?! Knowing you, you'll get through the hernia surgery real quick and be back on your feet in no time. Having a handsome doctor doesn't hurt either!
Kelly
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Спасибо Culka!culka said:Ha ha ha
Sasenka, hit your head in the back. Usually it helps me. One time I was thinking hard how to say in English kompresor. With that hit I`m changing language centre in my brain.
BTW thank so refreshing my Russian skills. I enjoyed to read yours and Zina`s post in azbuka.
Join our little Russian chapter. Today we raise (bump on the head) стопку водки (bump) to celebrate (bump) День Космона́втики (bump).
כואב לי הראש. (bump) Oops, activated wrong language center...
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Thank you Kellylovesanimals said:Hi Alexandra
I'm so happy about your CT scan results. Isn't "unremarkable" a beautiful word?! Knowing you, you'll get through the hernia surgery real quick and be back on your feet in no time. Having a handsome doctor doesn't hurt either!
Kelly
My husband's patience is running low. With the first surgery he visited me daily at the hospital and showered with love and compassion; for the second one he took a day off work; for the third one he dropped me off in front of the hospital and picked me up outside 2 days later; fourth one is like, "are you kidding me? not again!".
I am using hernia as an excuse not to lift garbage bags and groceries and quickly becoming the freeloader of the family.
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Ha-Ha!Alexandra said:Thank you Kelly
My husband's patience is running low. With the first surgery he visited me daily at the hospital and showered with love and compassion; for the second one he took a day off work; for the third one he dropped me off in front of the hospital and picked me up outside 2 days later; fourth one is like, "are you kidding me? not again!".
I am using hernia as an excuse not to lift garbage bags and groceries and quickly becoming the freeloader of the family.
Milk the hernia for all its worth!!
Kelly
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My "hernia adventure" continuesAlexandra said:Thank you Kelly
My husband's patience is running low. With the first surgery he visited me daily at the hospital and showered with love and compassion; for the second one he took a day off work; for the third one he dropped me off in front of the hospital and picked me up outside 2 days later; fourth one is like, "are you kidding me? not again!".
I am using hernia as an excuse not to lift garbage bags and groceries and quickly becoming the freeloader of the family.
I went back to the plastic surgeon who did my "tummy tuck" 3 months ago to see if he can repair hernia. Brought CD with the CT scan with me.
As we are both watching my intestines on the CD protrude outside of the muscle...
DR: "You do not have hernia".
Me: "And why do you think so doctor?
DR: "Even if I was drunk when I operated on you, I would have noticed a 5 cm hernia and I did not"
Me: "No comment...Then what is it if not a hernia"
DR: "It's a bulge, there is a big difference"
Me: "Oh, well, I am so sorry to have bothered you"
Today I went to Shouldice Hospital in Toronto that does nothing but repair hernias. A center of excellence. Since 1965. A hernia conveyer belt.
Spent 4 hours listening to somber music, completing an enormous questionnaire and waiting in line only to be told that they will not accept me as a patient unless I loose 70 lbs. I almost choked the life out of some 18-year-old clinic administrator who explained to me with the look of utmost importance why it is not healthy to be overweight. Total hysterectomy was safe to perform but for the hernia repair I have to look like a lingerie model. Grrr!
Back to the family doctor - to get a referral to the general surgeon - 2-3 weeks to get an appointment with him - 5-6 months to schedule surgery.
To be continued...
I am sitting at the Oncologist's waiting for my CA125 results to come in. Keeping my fingers crossed.
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