New to Posting on this site, but not new to the site. (introducing myself)

[Parched]

Hi Folks,

I just wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself and my experience.

I am a 46 year old stay at home wife, mother of a 15 year old very energized and into sports son, a 26 year old married daughter and a step grandma to a 6 year old. My 66 year old father is disabled and has been living with us for the last 10 years.

I divorced my daughters father when she was 3, I was 23 at the time. Shortly after the divorce I found out I had cervical cancer and possibly ovarian cancer.  I was fortunate that it was not ovarian cancer.  The cervical cancer returned 3 years later. My wonderful ob/gyn was not only a superb doctor but has the most wonderful bedside manner I have encountered in a doctor.  He did not want to do a hysterectomy at such a young age so he monitored me every three months for many years...  I remarried and finally was able to have one more child (my son).  I ended up on bed rest at my third month of pregnancy, So I had to leave my job behind me.  I have not worked since (15 years). My husband and I decided I would be a  stay at home mom until he was at least in high school.  Meanwhile for the two years after I deliverd him I kept having female problems and finally my doctor and I decided at the age of 34 to finally have a partial hysterectomy.   One year later at my annual ob/gyn check up it was discoverd I had lichen sclerosis.  Never heard of that skin disease until that Dr. visit.

Meanwhile, my father is living with us and has many, many health issues.  5 years ago he was hospitalized for a week and survived a near death health issues..  We brought him home with us instead of a nursing home.  I had nurses and therapists coming every day and at this point was falling asleep during the day for 5 hours at a time. The visiting nurses and my lenghty naps continued for six months.  I finally figured it was time to tell my primary doctor about my sleeping issue, I thought It was depression from all that was going on.

This primary was the worse doctor I ever had, I will skip over my experience with him though I stayed with him for a year.. He figured it was most likely depression so I started and anti depressant and he ran routine blood work.   I was shocked when they called with my blood results. My white cell count and platelets were high.  So he kept repeating the blood work every 10-15 days for the year I continued to see him...  I mentioned to my ob/gyn at my yearly check up what was going on and he promptly sent me to a hematologist.  For two years I was under the care of the hematologist, he checked for leukemia and monitored me every so many months.  He just has my primary monitor my bloodwork now, every 6 months so I don't have to see him among all the other doctors.

Meanwhile I had many other health issues come up one of the many was my gall bladder did not function so I needed surgery and after surgery I just was not recovering well.  Some how this lead to the doctors suspecting an auto immune disease and I was referred to a Rheumy.  First rheumy was horrible she looked in my mouth and said wow your mouth is dry as I have ever seen.  She ran blood work and the only thing positive was the ANA test. So she sent me on my way.. My mouth was so bad I could not eat or swallow and I had no clue as to what was happening to me.  I had lost nearly 40 pounds in 3 months. But rheumy believes not positive blood work no disease.  She said call me if you get worse... HUHHHHH.

So primary sent me to a rheumy in her practice. He immedidatly started treating my symptoms and has been a great doctor.

I could go on and on but I have taken up enough space.   I guess I just wanted to explain my post titled "Does anyone ever just want to quit going to the Doctors".  I am not foulish enough to stop seeing my doctors for my followups or when something new crops up.  I am just completly worn out by all the tests and visits.. Not just me I am constantly running to the doctor, but my dad goes to many doctors also... My husband and I have discussed a nursing home for him to ease some of the pressure on me, but as of yet it is breaking our heart to do so.  So he remains with us.

Sorry for such a long and boring post. 
Parched

Ps. Thank you to everyone for this site, especially Spring and Care, I was very sorry to hear of her passing, but I am forever grateful to her for this wonderful world Called Sjogrensworld.

[Patze]

Oh my Parched, you have your hands full!  And my hats off to you for managing your family and dad for all those years and being sick as well; I have elderly parents and I understand the stress.  You are an amazing person!

I'm so glad that you have had some great doctors along the way, especially your GYN; can I borrow him for say twenty years or so?   I'm sorry to hear about the primary, it seems that there is always that one doctor thats never on the same page if you know what I mean.  And so glad to hear about the rheumy; it sure helps to know that when the chips are down, you have a couple of great doctors in the wings.

Take care of yourself and hang in there, okay (and don't forget to keep us updated)?

Patze

[Joe S.]

Welcome to the forum. There are many simple things that you can do to help you manage this illness. Some of us have put what we are taking in our signature.

[Carolina]

Welcome Parched!

You have been through the medical mystery tour, for sure.

And you are engaged in a vibrant and demanding life!  I'm so glad you had some good doctors, especially the doctor that got you through the terrible years of cancer, and helped you with the joy of your son.

Your husband sounds like a great man, as well.

Please share your concerns and joys and daily experiences with us here.

Hugs

Elaine

[Parched]

Thank You for the replies..

My daughter says all the time "Mom, your are going about getting your medical degree in the wrong way" Haha she is to funny..

She is currently a cosmetologist and back in school and working towards her nursing degree she wants to be a nurse practioner..