One Fear Put Behind Me...More To Go

Be your own advocate - Yes, from going through infertility and being at Doctor's often I have learned to ask lots of questions, look for input, reactions then make decisions.  With the thoughts of stirrups and a speculum dancing in my head, preparation was in order.  Yes, I always feel like you need to be clean looking, not all dolled up but showered, smelling good and shaving is a must.  I was ready to go.  

My first annual exam with my new Ob/Gyn and in a new State.  I am always over anxious when this time of the year comes but surprisingly I was confident, a little nervous but it did not take me over.  New records, new nurses, a new Doctor, old wounds and medical history all in one visit. 

It begin by being on time ready to go with paperwork filled out, walked in to an empty office with a smile from behind the reception area.  So far so good.  I was able to sit for a few minutes and write a book review that I typed later on.  Going to the Doctors ALONE is private time for me.

Frances, it was my turn, yeah!  I made sure to look around always liked to know my surrounding and make sure the office looked inviting to me. It began with my favorite part, "please step on the scale" oh yes; please tell me how much I weigh.  Then I sat beside the nurse who took some information about medications that I take, surgeries that I had last menstrual period, last pap, last mammo, medical history, family history and blah blah blah.  Yes, old wounds were opened about my stillbirth experience and then rescued by my live birth - my son!  So much to tell and so much they should know....yes infertility came up, egg retrievals and birth control.  Then, to go and pee in a cup.  Bathroom nearby wait for it and I was able to pee in the cup.  Urine was fine, whew!

Attached to my Mammogram/Breast Sono records I was taken into the examine room.  Take it all off leave this gown opening to the back and put this paper sheet over your knees, the Doctor will be in soon.  Pretty routine, nothing new there.  As I waited I snapped a quick picture for my blog post.  Then, I sat down waiting for the Doctor.  Minutes later she came in all friendly and talkative, trying to get to know me, her new patient. 

Again, yes things came up and past history.  She asked about my stillbirth and how far along I was.  I told her 25 weeks, her response, "Shit...pause, and so sorry...were there any workups performed to determine the cause"?  I told her yes and that it was an accident that the baby turned and the air flow was cut off by the umbilical cord.  She put her hand on my knee and said but now you have a child.  I knew I liked her already when she said "Shit".  The extra hand on my knee and concern even more. 

So here we are, squish down a bit, in out and over.  Yeah, nothing no polyps and everything looked good.  Breast exam all good but a script for a Mammogram and Breast Sonogram due to my family history.  I expected that and yes that will be another fear until the results are in. Then a brief discussion on my cycle and mood, age and concerns.  I told her that I feel overwhelmed at times especially a week before my period.  She said to try to exercise daily it helps and of course the right diet, which I know I don't both of these in order.  So I knew that and have been trying to work on that already.  She did say she can also prescribe a low dosage of Prozac to take the edge off and I would only take it 10 days before my period.  I thought and said I wasn't sure, asked about side effects, weaning of the medication and if it will affect me after I stop taking for 10 days?  She said no because then you will get your menstrual cycle.  I felt yes I needed it to at least try and see if it will help but then I thought no.  So I decided to get the RX just in case I wanted to try it for a month or two.  She wants me to follow up in two months after my Mammogram/Breast Sonogram results are in.  So I will decide what to do.  As for the exercise thing, after I arrived home to my family. We ate dinner and I went for a walk down the Road.  I walked a 1/2 mile round trip.  If I can get into a morning and nigh time routine of walking it might help relieved some stress and get me back to shape. 

Until the next chapter from my Mammogram/Breast Sonogram experiences.  Going in knowing that I am cystic and that my Mom had Breast Cancer twice is quite overwhelming but I know that I have been doing all that I can each year to hopefully prevent any occurrence.  Preventative Health Care is important especially when you have a family history.   Being overly cautious I still have an insurance supplement with Aflac - yes the duck.  I have a cancer plan and there is a health benefit that pays you to go to the Doctor annually for your pap or Mammogram - So win, win.  I hope I will never have to use this plan but it is a just in case.  I wish they had a plan like that for infertility to help supplement costs. 

I hope all my other tests go just as well as tonight did.  Things after infertility never stop, you must still be self-aware and your own advocate to know that you have had a pleasant experience at the Doctors office.