Interesting news you might want to share with us.

[Athena]

All the very best to you, casie.

[casie]

Hi, folks. So, I was actually released from the hospital yesterday after about four hours because they weren't really able to find anything.  That's a relief to a point, but I still don't know what it is.  They gave me a CT scan of my abdomen, and they were going to give me an ultrasound, but they canceled it when the CT scan found no anomalies.  No masses, Yay!

I have to follow up with my regular doctor, and I'd be surprised if she doesn't order that ultrasound after all.  I'm also supposed to see a heart specialist and a GI specialist, but I'm most anxious about the latter because I think that's where I'm going to find my answers.  Hopefully, whatever they find, it's something that can be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes.  

I knew this wasn't menopause because (to answer your question, fairy) I do still have periods, and they're pretty much par for the course for me, but they're more irregular now.  So, I'm probably in perimenopause, and that process should continue for me for about another year or two.  I looked up whether that could make your breasts larger, and indeed it can, so I guess I won the perimenopause boob lottery or something.

But I had the most amazing experience while I was there.  My mom couldn't stay because my step dad isn't well these days, and she had to get back to him, but I was in pretty good spirits, despite the pain and discomfort, until the doctor started talking about the possibility of 'malignancy.'  I know that's his job, but I just got really scared and started crying as soon as he left.  That went on for a while, and then, all of a sudden, I started to sense the people I love around me.  I could see my children there (I have three kids, but didn't give birth to them, which is why I don't have experience with pregnancy), and their parents were there, too.  I knew this was probably a hallucination brought on by stress and fatigue, but I was so happy to see them that I didn't care.  I was able to set aside my fear and focus on my love for them, and I didn't feel alone anymore.  

There's nothing like a health crisis to make you realize how much you have to live for.    

Anyway, thanks so much again for all your kind words and support.  There’s a reason this is the place I hang out online when I do social media at all.  

[cordtx]

Also, women can have very different symptoms from heart disease then men. Retaining fluid making your breasts and abdomen swell is a sign of that.  Not to scare you but please see the heart specialist ASAP.

[anastasia beaverhausen]

Hi, folks. So, I was actually released from the hospital yesterday after about four hours because they weren't really able to find anything.  That's a relief to a point, but I still don't know what it is.  They gave me a CT scan of my abdomen, and they were going to give me an ultrasound, but they canceled it when the CT scan found no anomalies.  No masses, Yay!

I have to follow up with my regular doctor, and I'd be surprised if she doesn't order that ultrasound after all.  I'm also supposed to see a heart specialist and a GI specialist, but I'm most anxious about the latter because I think that's where I'm going to find my answers.  Hopefully, whatever they find, it's something that can be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes. 

I knew this wasn't menopause because (to answer your question, fairy) I do still have periods, and they're pretty much par for the course for me, but they're more irregular now.  So, I'm probably in perimenopause, and that process should continue for me for about another year or two.  I looked up whether that could make your breasts larger, and indeed it can, so I guess I won the perimenopause boob lottery or something.

But I had the most amazing experience while I was there.  My mom couldn't stay because my step dad isn't well these days, and she had to get back to him, but I was in pretty good spirits, despite the pain and discomfort, until the doctor started talking about the possibility of 'malignancy.'  I know that's his job, but I just got really scared and started crying as soon as he left.  That went on for a while, and then, all of a sudden, I started to sense the people I love around me.  I could see my children there (I have three kids, but didn't give birth to them, which is why I don't have experience with pregnancy), and their parents were there, too.  I knew this was probably a hallucination brought on by stress and fatigue, but I was so happy to see them that I didn't care.  I was able to set aside my fear and focus on my love for them, and I didn't feel alone anymore. 

There's nothing like a health crisis to make you realize how much you have to live for.   

Anyway, thanks so much again for all your kind words and support.  There’s a reason this is the place I hang out online when I do social media at all.   

I have 4 kids I didn’t give birth to, and I completely understand your point about not having the birth experience. But I made up for any missed agony with their teenage years.

I think your problems sound like what I went though with my gallbladder? I went through horrible pain for a year because I had a gallstone in the bile duct that didn’t show up in the ultrasound. The radiologist actually asked me if I had been eating something different because now all of a sudden my gallbladder was full of stones!    I swear these places will say anything but “sorry”. 

[anneboleyn]

Hi, folks. So, I was actually released from the hospital yesterday after about four hours because they weren't really able to find anything.  That's a relief to a point, but I still don't know what it is.  They gave me a CT scan of my abdomen, and they were going to give me an ultrasound, but they canceled it when the CT scan found no anomalies.  No masses, Yay!

I have to follow up with my regular doctor, and I'd be surprised if she doesn't order that ultrasound after all.  I'm also supposed to see a heart specialist and a GI specialist, but I'm most anxious about the latter because I think that's where I'm going to find my answers.  Hopefully, whatever they find, it's something that can be reversed with diet and lifestyle changes.  

I knew this wasn't menopause because (to answer your question, fairy) I do still have periods, and they're pretty much par for the course for me, but they're more irregular now.  So, I'm probably in perimenopause, and that process should continue for me for about another year or two.  I looked up whether that could make your breasts larger, and indeed it can, so I guess I won the perimenopause boob lottery or something.

But I had the most amazing experience while I was there.  My mom couldn't stay because my step dad isn't well these days, and she had to get back to him, but I was in pretty good spirits, despite the pain and discomfort, until the doctor started talking about the possibility of 'malignancy.'  I know that's his job, but I just got really scared and started crying as soon as he left.  That went on for a while, and then, all of a sudden, I started to sense the people I love around me.  I could see my children there (I have three kids, but didn't give birth to them, which is why I don't have experience with pregnancy), and their parents were there, too.  I knew this was probably a hallucination brought on by stress and fatigue, but I was so happy to see them that I didn't care.  I was able to set aside my fear and focus on my love for them, and I didn't feel alone anymore.  

There's nothing like a health crisis to make you realize how much you have to live for.    

Anyway, thanks so much again for all your kind words and support.  There’s a reason this is the place I hang out online when I do social media at all.  

I hope your family doctor is able to give you some answers so you're not in pain still. Hospitals can be scary but I'm glad the thought of your children brought you comfort. Sending you best wishes!

[Cordelia Fitzgerald]

Glad you were able to strike something ovarian off the list, Casie.  And what a neat experience, to be fully surrounded by your family's love at such a frightening time in the doctor's office.  Continued prayers for peace and healing and answers.   

[onar]

A few days ago, Biden recognised the Armenian genocide by the Turkish state (the shift from the ottoman empire to the modern turkish state had already begun).
Today, on May 19th, the Greeks all over the world we honor the victims of another genocide, the genocide of the Pontic Greeks.
This song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0SqSWFVJJs is a moiroloi (sad song we say when someone has passed, a mourning song) in the pontic dialect and it describes what happened in their cities in the whole area of Pontus.

[casie]

Also, women can have very different symptoms from heart disease then men. Retaining fluid making your breasts and abdomen swell is a sign of that.  Not to scare you but please see the heart specialist ASAP.

I didn't know that, so thanks for the advice.  Don't worry, I'm not going to blow it off or anything, especially as I've had an incidence of heart palpitations since I left the hospital.  So, I will pursue the question until I have an answer. 

[casie]

I have 4 kids I didn’t give birth to, and I completely understand your point about not having the birth experience. But I made up for any missed agony with their teenage years.

I think your problems sound like what I went though with my gallbladder? I went through horrible pain for a year because I had a gallstone in the bile duct that didn’t show up in the ultrasound. The radiologist actually asked me if I had been eating something different because now all of a sudden my gallbladder was full of stones!    I swear these places will say anything but “sorry”.  

Families come in all stripes, don't they?  

That's a good thought about the gallbladder.  The only thing I have to go on right now is that on the report of the CT scan, it listed my biliary system as 'Unremarkable,' and in this case, unremarkable is good.  

[casie]

I hope your family doctor is able to give you some answers so you're not in pain still. Hospitals can be scary but I'm glad the thought of your children brought you comfort. Sending you best wishes!

My doctor’s super smart and thorough.  She will be on it!  I’m not so much in pain right now; it mostly just feels weird, if that makes sense.  It definitely helped to see my family there, thanks. 

Glad you were able to strike something ovarian off the list, Casie.  And what a neat experience, to be fully surrounded by your family's love at such a frightening time in the doctor's office.  Continued prayers for peace and healing and answers.   

Yeah, that was a huge relief.  Prayers are always welcome.  Thank you.

[fairy]

Been thinking of you... any news you'd like to share?

[casie]

Been thinking of you... any news you'd like to share?

Aw, thanks, sweetie.  I see my regular doctor on the 1st, and my GI doctor on the 2nd.  I haven't gotten the appt with the heart doctor yet; I'm still working on the referral.  My gut's still been huge and weird, with odd little pains here and there.  And I'm still not gaining weight, so I don't understand.  I've had a couple of instances of heart palpitations, but mostly I've just been dizzy a lot.  I could definitely do without that.  I think I'm going to have to insist on that ultrasound.   

We're going into Mercury retrograde now (in Gemini...and I'm a Gemini), so I can just see this whole time with all the appointments and everything just being crazy and weird.  I'm going to just be really clear and persistent with everything that I'm asking for, so hopefully that will move things along. 

I'll let you guys know when I know anything.

[Gemsheal]

Casie, all the best to you, and don't fear Mercury Retrograde, it's the best time to clear out your closets and connect with old friends you haven't seen for a while.  Whether it's pulling weeds or sorting through old photos it's a fine time to reorganize.  Even moving the furniture around in a room can improve the atmosphere.

A nice chunk of Clear Quartz and sage-ing your home will also bring relief and comfort, and clear away old energies.  If you don't like sage, lemongrass smells wonderful too.  Best of luck with your medical appointments 💞🕊🌻

Edited to add: after burning sage or lemongrass open windows to air the rooms.

[thecrownjewelthief]

Been thinking of you... any news you'd like to share?

Aw, thanks, sweetie.  I see my regular doctor on the 1st, and my GI doctor on the 2nd.  I haven't gotten the appt with the heart doctor yet; I'm still working on the referral.  My gut's still been huge and weird, with odd little pains here and there.  And I'm still not gaining weight, so I don't understand.  I've had a couple of instances of heart palpitations, but mostly I've just been dizzy a lot.  I could definitely do without that.  I think I'm going to have to insist on that ultrasound.   

We're going into Mercury retrograde now (in Gemini...and I'm a Gemini), so I can just see this whole time with all the appointments and everything just being crazy and weird.  I'm going to just be really clear and persistent with everything that I'm asking for, so hopefully that will move things along. 

I'll let you guys know when I know anything.

Sorry you’re still not feeling well - hoping they can give you some answers soon.

[casie]

Been thinking of you... any news you'd like to share?

Aw, thanks, sweetie.  I see my regular doctor on the 1st, and my GI doctor on the 2nd.  I haven't gotten the appt with the heart doctor yet; I'm still working on the referral.  My gut's still been huge and weird, with odd little pains here and there.  And I'm still not gaining weight, so I don't understand.  I've had a couple of instances of heart palpitations, but mostly I've just been dizzy a lot.  I could definitely do without that.  I think I'm going to have to insist on that ultrasound.   

We're going into Mercury retrograde now (in Gemini...and I'm a Gemini), so I can just see this whole time with all the appointments and everything just being crazy and weird.  I'm going to just be really clear and persistent with everything that I'm asking for, so hopefully that will move things along. 

I'll let you guys know when I know anything.

Sorry you’re still not feeling well - hoping they can give you some answers soon.

Thanks a lot.    Love your avatar, BTW.


Quick update on my health: As per the ultrasound, I do have a cyst on my left ovary that's between 4-4.5 cm, and I would feel that, apparently.  They want to do a follow-up ultrasound in 10-12 weeks, and I have other testing in August as well.  So, that's some information anyway.