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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 11 to 35 of 35. Go back in thread:
Posted by Daisym on January 5, 2007, at 2:24:38
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
I'd be planning too. I hope it is nothing and I'll keep you in my prayers. You've had more than your fair share the past few years. Doesn't seem fair that you have to worry about this.
Remember, distraction works to make the time pass And sleep too.
My fingers are crossed.
love and hugs,
Daisy
Posted by LadyBug on January 5, 2007, at 3:13:03
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
I hope it's nothing. I'd worry, but also try to remain positive. Lumps and bumps seem so common. I'm glad you are going to get it checked out. May you be comforted through it all. I'll keep you in my prayers that all will turn out well for you.
My best to you. Let us know as soon as you find out. I know your T will help you through this too.
Hugs,
Lu
Posted by happykat on January 5, 2007, at 9:37:55
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
((((((Dinah))))))
I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing. But thats a long time to have to wait to find out. I'm always for anything that makes you feel more empowered or in control, so maybe a little planning isn't a bad thing.
Maybe take a break from the painting and go see some movies or get out and do something over the weekend. Keep your mind occupied.
Sending peaceful, loving, positive thoughts and prayers to you.
happykat
Posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 9:41:23
In reply to Re: I'm sure it's nothing » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on January 4, 2007, at 23:13:36
I'll be thinking of you Monday. Mine is Tuesday morning. I'm generally pretty good at taking them. In fact I have an all clear one from July. So I'm sure this is nothing.
Let me know how it goes, and I'll do the same. I'm sure yours are ok too.
Posted by pegasus on January 5, 2007, at 9:47:59
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
I'm glad you're not too worried. I totally agree with you about the planning thing. Plus you seem to be pretty aware of what types of things are helpful for you in general. I hope it will turn out to be nothing. I agree that Tuesday is a long time to wait to have something like that checked out.
I had cancer once, and it started as a lump that I figured was nothing much. When it had been around a while, I went to the nurse at my student health center, and she wanted me to see the doc. The doc wanted me to see a specialist. The specialist wanted lots of tests. The tests led to more tests. And eventually surger and radiation therapy. And now it's 13 years later, and not a sign of it. So, my point is that even when things don't go as you hope, they can end really well.
Er . . . I guess my story might be more scary than reassuring. Sorry if it hits you that way. But really, I see the whole episode as a blessing at this point. Nothing helps straighten out your priorities like a cancer scare. I really hope yours is very short - like only until Tuesday.
peg
Posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 9:50:24
In reply to Re: I'm sure it's nothing » ClearSkies, posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 9:41:23
I was pretty disappointed Tuesday was the first time they had. But it was what my doctor apparently expected. She says they'll probably look at it and tell me what they see while I'm there. I *think* she'll be out of town, so it could be longer if they don't.
My husband is no end upset with my planning, so I hope my therapist handles it better.
Yesterday was just a bad day all around. Trouble at the office. I got my hair colored for the first time in over a year, and it came out strawberry blonde (or maybe just plain brassy) instead of blonde. When he asked how I liked the color and I pointed out it was a bit red, he said no, it wasn't red, and got annoyed and started yanking the comb through my hair.
And it's been raining nonstop and looks like it will rain. Which is a shame because if anything could wear me out enough to sleep, painting would be it.
I know it's probably nothing, but it's disconcerting to have your doctor not be as unconcerned as you are, you know?
And I had flouted the fates blatantly in my therapy session the day before.
Posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 9:58:57
In reply to Re: I'm sure it's nothing, posted by pegasus on January 5, 2007, at 9:47:59
No, it's not more scary than reassuring. And thank you for sharing. I know that the treatments have come a long way, especially if it's caught early. So that even if it is something, which I doubt it is because the timing is just too perfect with the longstanding infection I had, part of my planning is planning around treatment.
I just need to distract myself really well until Tuesday.
Posted by All Done on January 5, 2007, at 10:32:12
In reply to Thanks everyone., posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 9:50:24
((((Dinah)))),
I'm sending lots of good, healthy vibes your way. My mom's had a few lumps that had to be checked/watched. They turned out to be nothing. The waiting is crappy, though. I'm sorry they couldn't get you in sooner.
I think it's okay and probably natural (at least for some) to go through all the what-ifs. Maybe it's just not something your husband and T would do. I know my husband is very much a wait and see and do nothing until then guy. It kind of drives me crazy, but I guess I can see how my way might drive him a little crazy, too. Yin and yang. I like to think we even each other out.
Anyway...about your hair :). When I was blonde, I always had a problem when I went to a new colorist. Unless I told them to use ash blonde, I turned brassy. If I were you, I'd go to someone else and ask them to fix it. No sense in living with something you don't like and, if you ask me, no sense in going back to the oblivious/rude colorist.
You're in my thoughts and prayers, Dinah. Do a lot of nice things for yourself before Tuesday. My recommendations - play some games with your son, watch a few good movies, read a book, see your T (Sunday, right?), have a nice dinner with your husband, and hang out with your puppies. (Notice I said and not or.)
Love,
Laurie
Posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 16:14:59
In reply to Re: Thanks everyone. » Dinah, posted by All Done on January 5, 2007, at 10:32:12
I was going to try to locate my old stylist to fix this mess on my head. I hate it. And I gave the guy a tip even after he got mad and started yanking at my head. What an idiot I am. :) My head's still sore even.
My therapist is way cool sometimes. I'm seeing him Tuesdays and Fridays for now, so I'll be seeing him after the test Tuesday. And he was great today. So comfortable imagining all the possibilities that even I was disconcerted. But he also made sure to say he'd be a mourner at my funeral if I died, and that if I got too sick to see him, he could do housecalls, and that he's perfectly comfortable working with people with cancer.
It all sounds rather morbid, but it wasn't. It was really kind of lighthearted and fun. We laughed a lot, while still talking about issues frankly.
He can be so great.
Posted by Deneb on January 5, 2007, at 16:50:41
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
((((((((((((((Dinah)))))))))))))))
You're doing really well. Try not to worry because worrying does no good. Worrying doesn't change anything. It's really hard not to worry. I found it impossible. Remember that 80% of all lumps are benign. Also you are still quite young so the probability that it's something is low.
Try to keep your mind busy doing other things besides worrying. Playing with your son is a great idea suggested by someone here.
I remember how scary it was for me and everyone told me it was nothing and I just didn't believe them. I hope you can believe us.
Deneb*
Posted by sunnydays on January 5, 2007, at 21:28:22
In reply to Re: Thanks everyone. » All Done, posted by Dinah on January 5, 2007, at 16:14:59
Posted by mair on January 5, 2007, at 22:42:31
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
Dinah - several years ago I had a routime mammogram, followed by an ultrasound. I had a benign growth in my breast when I was in college so I took none of this particularly seriously. However, before I could get out of the clinic, I was approached by a social worker and given a whole bunch of information about breast cancer. It was all so disconcerting. Fortunately, in my case the biopsy was negative, but the process of getting there from mammagram to ultra sound to biopsy to biopsy results took far too long for comfort. All my positive thoughts and a good ration of hugs are headed your way.
I know it's hard to resist planning, but as I've learned with my T, nothing happens all that quickly, and you probably don't know enough about what lies ahead, good or bad, to make your planning particularly useful. As was pretty typical for me, I did no planning because I was too busy and too paralyzed to really mobilize myself.
Mair
Posted by Dinah on January 6, 2007, at 10:25:19
In reply to Re: I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Deneb on January 5, 2007, at 16:50:41
I'm painting today, so I'll be sore and stiff and sleepy for a few days to come. It'll be good to keep my mind off things, and when you're trying to climb a ladder perched precariously in newly deposited loose dirt, it's hard to think of anything but broken legs. :)
Posted by Dinah on January 6, 2007, at 10:31:06
In reply to Re: I'm sure it's nothing » Dinah, posted by mair on January 5, 2007, at 22:42:31
I'm glad it was benign after all that anxiety Mair.
I'm one of those people who use worrying as a positive thing on occasion. It's only when I get stuck in a loop that it becomes a problem. I figure if I plan for the worst possible contingencies, then nothing looks really all that scary.
And I won't be as frozen with surprise as I was with the awful hair stylist, or for that matter with the gynecologist. I was so certain (and really am still so certain) that my lymph node is just swollen because I've had that longstanding infection that's now hiding out in my body somewhere (I still have been running a low grade fever fairly continuously), that she shocked me silly when she didn't pat me on the head and send me away. I left with the same fixed smile on my face that I entered with, muttering, I'm sure it's an infected lymph node.
I'm much better off if my brain is primed to different possibilities, however remote.
I was kind of surprised that my therapist understood that, but he never fails to surprise me from time to time, as well as I think I know him.
Posted by Dinah on January 8, 2007, at 8:35:21
In reply to Re: I'm sure it's nothing » mair, posted by Dinah on January 6, 2007, at 10:31:06
I can't even find the lump under my arm, so I guess that's a good sign that it was just a swollen lymph node. A day of painting Satuday seems to have gotten rid of it.
But I wanted to spend time with my family this weekend, I just wanted to be close to them, and they didn't really seem to reciprocate the desire. My son of course knows nothing, because we wouldn't burden him when there was nothing to know.
My therapist said I could call him today and he'd squeeze me in, but I don't really think that will help actually. The weather has improved so maybe I'll do some painting therapy to try to stop feeling sorry for myself.
I hate my job.
Posted by mair on January 8, 2007, at 17:05:46
In reply to Feeling sad today, posted by Dinah on January 8, 2007, at 8:35:21
Dinah
It's aggravating isn't it when life trudges on for others while it seems to stop or slow down for us? Is it possible that your husband seems to make light of this because he doesn't want you to worry too much. When I had my lump scare my husband was pretty dismissive - on the order of "I'm sure it's nothing." Later, after we had found that it really was nothing, I found out that he had actually been doing a fair amount of internet research, when I was thinking that he was paying no attention. I wish some of that energy had been directed to letting me know in some tangible way that he shared my concern and that he truly cared about how I was feeling.
Isn't your appointment tomorrow? I'll definitely have you in my thoughts.As you know, I hate my job too (you know that I'm your true soul sister in all employment related issues) - how great that you're painting - I spent most of yesterday doing some very mundane household tasks while thinking most of the time that I should have gone in to work.
mair
Posted by pegasus on January 9, 2007, at 9:25:06
In reply to I'm sure it's nothing, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2007, at 19:51:55
Posted by mair on January 9, 2007, at 12:26:59
In reply to Thinking of you today, Dinah (nm), posted by pegasus on January 9, 2007, at 9:25:06
Posted by Honore on January 9, 2007, at 14:38:49
In reply to Me Too Dinah (nm), posted by mair on January 9, 2007, at 12:26:59
So am I. Hope you're okay.
Honore
Posted by TherapyGirl on January 9, 2007, at 17:07:29
In reply to Me Too Dinah (nm), posted by mair on January 9, 2007, at 12:26:59
Posted by annierose on January 9, 2007, at 17:20:40
In reply to Feeling sad today, posted by Dinah on January 8, 2007, at 8:35:21
I was thinking of you today. I still hope you went just to make sure and to put your mind at ease.
Painting does sound like good therapy!
Hope all went well.
Posted by Dinah on January 9, 2007, at 18:56:26
In reply to Re: Feeling sad today, posted by annierose on January 9, 2007, at 17:20:40
Maybe a cyst, but nothing serious.
And therapy was awful. My mind just went blank and I sat there without a thing to say. I suspect it was because I was blanking out the full range of my reaction. Not that I wanted to be sick, or to have my family have additional problems or expense. That would have been awful.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 9, 2007, at 21:43:42
In reply to No sign of anything wrong., posted by Dinah on January 9, 2007, at 18:56:26
Exactly what we were all hoping to hear--sorry therapy went badly.
MidnightBlue
Posted by muffled on January 9, 2007, at 22:11:02
In reply to No sign of anything wrong., posted by Dinah on January 9, 2007, at 18:56:26
Glad your Ok Dinah.
Hope therapy can get better for you.
You seem to be really struggling bout something, but I not knowing what it might be?
Hope it gets better soon.
Take care,
Muffled
Posted by mair on January 9, 2007, at 22:34:35
In reply to No sign of anything wrong., posted by Dinah on January 9, 2007, at 18:56:26
Thank goodness.
I'm sure you're just totally drained. Maybe in another day or two you can feel some actual relief.
Thank you for keeping us posted.
mair
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