Health Update

Sorry it's taken me so long to get an update up.  Life flies right on by like normal...

I went to the GI specialist last week and she informed me that I shouldn't worry too much about the cysts on my spleen.  With the spleen you cannot develop tumors, only cysts, and typically they go away on their own.  I'll be going back in this December for another CT scan to see if there has been any change and we'll go from there.

She was, however, concerned with all of the pain and issues I have been having for the past six months.  So she set me up for the works.  And if you've ever been to a GI specialist you know what the works is.  I really don't want to explain.  But basically they'll be putting me out and scoping me from both ends.  Yep.  Lovely, huh? 

She will be looking for a number of different disorders and diseases hoping to find an answer to my chronic pains.  I'm truly hoping that this is the last procedure that I need to have done for a long time.  The appointment is set up for November 3rd and prayers are always appreciated. 

As far as my spine issues... I am supposed to start physical therapy soon.  I am also looking into seeing a chiropractor as that may help as well.  I know why I have the disorder, it's just a bummer that I'm having issues with it this early in life. 

When I was 21 months I fell out of a two story high window and snapped my left femur in half.  I was in a body cast for three months and am just lucky to be alive and able to walk and lead a normal life.  The break in my bone, however, messed up a growth plate and my right leg grew longer than my left.  It's caused hip issues in the past and is a big reason to why I hate running, but I've been able to live with it up until now.  The difference in height in my legs has set my entire spine off balance and is starting to be annoying.  Hopefully some physical therapy and possibly getting a shoe lift will help with that.

So!  Needless to say we have some good news and some pending news.  Good news, no need to worry about the cysts for now.  Pending news, who knows what's wrong with my insides... guess we'll find out come November. :) 

Thanks for all of your prayers and sweet comments, I am truly blessed to have friends and family that care so much about me.  <3

One Day at a Time

Sometimes it's difficult not to get bogged down with the stresses of life.  It seems just as soon as things start going well something new pops up. 

I've had chronic stomach and abdominal pains for about 6 months, back in April I had an exploratory surgery and nothing of significance was found.  So I've just been living with it, thinking it could all be in my head. 

Well this past week I couldn't take it anymore, so I went back into my doctor to start from scratch.  They did blood work (4 tubes worth!) and scheduled a CT Scan for the next day.  Wednesday I went in for my scan, which totally stunk.  She tried to put the IV in my left arm and it didn't work so they had to move to the right arm, I'm a huge baby when it comes to needles.  Anyway, somehow I made it through. :)

The next day I received a call from my doctor with the CT results.  It turns out that I have 4 cysts on my spleen and grade 1 spondylolisthesis in my L5-S1 vertebrae.  Spondylolisthesis is just the slipping forward of your vertebrae and can cause significant back pain, they'll probably just send me to physical therapy to fix that.  My main concern is the cysts on my spleen.

I've done a little research and haven't found much about spleenic cysts, which of course stresses me out a little more.  I've gotten in touch with a GI specialist and should be seen next week to discuss the next steps. 

When I was 19 I had a CT scan and it showed a "cyst" on my right ovary.  It grew a significant amount while I was out of town for a week so they scheduled surgery to have it removed.  During surgery they discovered that it was not a cyst but a tumor that had enveloped my entire ovary, so they had it removed.  My fear is that these "cysts" that "appear to be benign" could actually be more than that.  My history with "cysts" isn't very good.

Needless to say, this week has been eventful.  I am really focusing on giving my anxieties and worries to God.  I cannot worry about tomorrow for today brings enough troubles... I know that I am in his hands and He will continue to watch over me.  Prayers are much appreciated... And I'll definitely keep y'all updated as I get more information myself. 

Thanks for keeping up with our crazy lives, it means so much. 

Here's a few fun images of my insides... I can't figure out too much of it but it's still fun to look at. :)

This is one of the cysts on my spleen

And another...

This one shows the slipping of my vertebrae