I think I've decided

to not turn the Ladies' Room into Cancer central.

All cancer related posting shall be done here.

So, what's been up with me, you might ask?

Last week (on the 11th), I went to the ER for abdominal pain and vomiting. The doctor took a CT scan of my belly to see if there was any blockage causing the pain. He didn't find any blockage, but he did find cancer. And that's how I found out my cancer was out of remission.

They gave me drugs and drew blood and did all those emergency room things they do. At the end of 8 or so hours, I felt better. I asked the doctor what could have caused the pain. He gave the generic "it could have been caused by any of a number of factors" and told me to follow up with my general practitioner.

My general practitioner (who is actually my GYN) was booked until Monday (ER visit was on Wednesday), so I took that appointment. But Friday, I was back. Throwing up, abdominal pain. Sound familiar?

Got treated, same advice. Went to my doctor's on Monday, told him what was going on. I wanted to know what was causing this pain, everyone is telling me to do something about the cancer.

I'm moving in about 2 weeks, it really doesn't make any sense (to me) to start any kind of chemo regimen just to have to get to Delaware, find a doctor, start up a regimen there and try to get back on schedule. No one was making things out to be that serious.

I tried to call my doctor in Atlanta, left voicemails aplenty, no responses as of yet. Oh well, percocets are working good.

Friday (the 20th), I ended up going to the ER for EXTREME pain (and anyone who knows me knows that me using extreme in regards to pain is significant. I seem to have a healthy pain tolerance) and vomiting. They admitted me because I was in pretty bad shape (my hemoglobin was low as was my magnesium and potassium. Oh, and I had a UTI.). Weekend in the hospital, woot!

The doctor finally told me that the pain was being caused by the cancer and I needed to do something about it muy pronto. Another doctor chastised me for taking percocets, because two of the side effects or perkies are vomiting and headaches. Excuse me!! I don't keep a list of side effects for drugs in my head! It says take for pain, I was in pain.

They decided to release me on Sunday at around 3. I signed the release papers, called my ride, got my stuff packed and was ready to go. My ride got there around 4:30ish. I called the nurses station and told them I was ready to go. They forgot about me for an hour or so. (I kinda figured they had, but I was being nice and giving them the benefit of the doubt.)

When I called them again, they came for me, but my ride had gone to the grocery store to pick some stuff up. Short story long, by time I hooked up with my ride, the pharmacies in town were closed for the night.

The next morning, I was first in line for the pharmacy. I got most of the stuff I was prescribed, but I couldn't get the pain patches the doctor prescribed for me because the insurance company would not let me get them without prior approval. I called the hospital to tell them this, and they tell me that the doctors do not have any contact with patients after they are released from the hospital. I informed the nurse that that was all well and good, but the doctor had prescribed something for me that I could not get but desperately needed. She said she would talk to the doctor and "get back to me." (Still waiting on that.) In the meantime, I am rationing my pain pills to make it through the week. I just gotta make it to the 31st. And then it's moving day!!