More To Come

Yesterday's consultation turned out to be the real deal.  The doctor in Winston-Salem decided to do the endometrial biopsy I had hoped would not be necessary.  She told me that despite the fact that I was asymptomatic, there was sufficient reason to be suspicious. Perhaps it was better this way...there was no chance for my anxiety to build. 

I had, by this time, already determined that I liked everyone at the facility I encountered:  the receptionist, the business clerk, the nurses' aids, the nurse practioner, and most importantly, the doctor.  I was as mentally and emotionally comfortable as possible.

So...I was given four Motrin and  then got some localized numbing and we were under way. It was all very uncomfortable, but tolerable.  There wasn't even an "ouch" moment.  Afterward I found out why.  Without getting into a biology lesson and too graphic for this venue, I'll just say she was unable to take tissue from where she thought she needed to.  So...first she's having me come back for a second ultra sound to see if the results are the same as the first or if the first one was skewed for some reason.  If this ultra sound looks normal, then that's it...end of game.  If it looks the same, then I go in for an outpatient procedure so the biopsy can be completed.  I'd be under anesthesia for that. She says the procedure will be too painful otherwise.  Then, we see what those results show and proceed from there.

Meanwhile my poision ivy is spreading and getting more annoying instead of less despite the shot I got last Friday.  Guess I'll be calling that doctor back to see if he's got another idea since the shot and the Benedryl I'm taking don't seem to be helping.  I didn't expect the shot to miraculously make the rash disappear, but I did expect that the shot would  calm it and too, prevent it all from popping out in other places.

I'm glad it's a rainy sort of day here...perfect for catching up on blogs and Flickr and various other tasks that need doing. 

Comments

[Beth]

Thanks for the update, June. Here's hoping the second ultrasound will be normal and clear.

So sorry about the poison ivy. I can so relate having endured it last year for a very long time. I'm afraid I have no advice to offer since nothing I did for it then seemed to work. But it did eventually heal with no lingering effects. One thing that does work to PREVENT it is washing with Octagon soap. My grandma used to make us wash with it after we'd been tromping through her woods, and we never got poison ivy rash although I'm sure we must have gone through poison ivy since it was plentiful there.

[Carin]

Oh June, I feel so sorry for you on both accounts. Wish you well!

[alice]

Wow! When I had an endometrial biopsy, there was no motrin or numbing! I felt every little thing! I think I like your doc's way better!

And seriously, for the poison ivy, you've got to get something to get the oil off of your skin -- dealing with the itching is also necessary, but it'll keep spreading until you wash the oil out. Even days later, washing still does help. My spouse got a wicked case of poison oak last year and the only thing that helped, ultimately, was the zanfel.

[Rob]

Poison ivy on top of all that? I feel for you. Hope for the best and you're back to yourself again.

[JC]

You have best wishes! Poison Ivy... from a website:

if you come in contact with poison ivy wash your hands as soon as possible. Use soapy water and get between the fingers and under the nails. Repeat the process several times, and use isopropyl alcohol or a like solvent like witch hazel to help separate the oil from your skin. This part applies in every case- remove all your clothing and wash it separately from all other clothes. Washing it twice isn't always necessary but it certainly doesn't hurt. The last thing you want is the oil finding it's way back onto your body after you have just gotten rid of the rash. Second, anything you may have been using which came in contact with poison ivy should be scrubbed down to help prevent re-contamination.

Now assuming you have a rash there is no magic bullet to just get rid of it over night. The only thing you can really do is treat it to speed the healing and ease the pain. A common way to soothe the rashed area is to use an ice pack to help quell the area and ease the bubbling effect it creates. Something that works really well is soaking the area in whole milk, the fat is important here, because that eases the itching and burning sensation and that is exactly what you want as scratching only spreads the problem. Burrows Solution is an antibacterial solution that can lessen the burning sensation as well. The key to these steps are that they constrict blood vessels in the area which is what relieves the itchy feeling. Remember when you itch you just add time to the life of the rash.

After using an ice pack, cool compress, or whatever method you choose for this purpose, and give the are a soak in milk, or saltwater which helps clear the infection, be sure to apply something to help keep the itching at bay and dry the blisters. Calamine lotion is a time tested and true agent that does the job extremely well. Other excellent products are Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream with oatmeal, Band-Aid Anti Itch gel, or Aloe Vera. It is important to pair one of these or a similar agent to truly knock out the rash as soon as possible.

To further reduce the time and pain a poison ivy rash inflicts on the body, oral antihistamines can work wonders. Be sure you are able to use them and have no adverse physical reactions or allergies before using one. Benadryl is the most common solution here as it reduces the swelling, itching and burning the rash carries.

If you have any doubts or aren't sure about dosage ask a pharmacist or better yet your doctor before using an antihistamine.

Finally it sounds basic but is extremely difficult to carry through on, just don't scratch! Scratching is poison ivy's friend. It excites the area opening up blood vessels with causes more of the urge to itch and it spreads the infection. Don't pop blisters, again your are just spreading the infection. keep your rashes exposed to open air as much as possible so your skin can dry out more quickly.

[sandy]

now there are some good homeopathic remedies on line i saw -- also where was this in winston Salem - you knw my son and family are in the medical industry there..sk heads up on that

[colleen]

I hope it all turns out alright. The rain does make it easy to lay low.

[Cynthia M. Thayer]

wow, June. I'm so sorry. Here's hoping you are back to your normal self soon and not having to deal with all the medical stuff. I know that is stressful. Perhaps the stress is aggravating the poison ivy??? You'll be in my prayers.

[Paz]

Continuing to send you good thoughts.

Paz

[birdlady]

You are truly turning in the "medical mill" right now aren't you.....I'm wishing the best for you: a false positive us and clearing skin!

[Kerri]

Praying for you June! Hope all turns out well!!

[Lisa's Chaos]

Dang girl! Biopsies and poison ivy! No fair at all! the the computer troubles too! Egads!

[Jeff]

I don't know how true this is - folks in Floyd would likely know - but I read that goats like poison ivy. That might be an idea to consider to get the plant under control so you can enjoy walking around your property without fear of future severe rashes. Of course, goats have their own issues since they like to wander at will - I guess you'd need a shepherd or some fences to keep them under control!

[Penis Size]

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