Hi All,

Though it was time for a check in.

My partner is doing well. She still has alternating 3 month consultations with her gynecologist & oncologist. I think this is for the foreseeable future as we have appointments booked into early next year.

Life is pretty much normal. She is working full time again & not feeling any side effects. As her menopause was triggered she is on a HRT patch which appears to have balanced out her mood swings.

So it's a big change from where life was a year ago when we didn't know what was wrong, to finding out & now being in remission.

Because of this my partner & myself are donating regularly to related charities & the hospital where she was treated. It's a small thing we can do to help.

It is a journey but it's a great feeling knowing there is support out there for people who unfortunately are diagnosed but also their families.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Thanks,

Kermit

Hi Kermit,its good to hear from you and so good to hear how well your wife is and that both you have come through the other side. Happy for you both that things are back to normal ,and she is back at work . It is good that you both are donating to related charities and the hospital its not until someone we love or a family member goes through this journey that it makes you think of donating and helping . I myself have put my name down to do volunteer work at our local hospice after spending many months there, while my brother inlaw went through his cancer journey. Wishing all goes well for you both in the coming months with your appointments and  that she continues to stay in remisson and you both never have to go through this journey again. Take care. Barbara

Hi all,

Well not a pleasant update but not all doom & gloom either just yet.

My partner started experiencing rectal bleeding last week. Of course she tried to just ignore it but I jumped straight into protective mode.

I scheduled her GP visit who initially suggested it could be hemorrhoids. A week later & the bleeding hasn't stopped. We have now been referred to a gastroenterologist but the initial appointment is a while away. Due to her requiring transfusions last year for blood loss I have to keep a closer eye on her though.

I haven't googled too much this time but know the vast range of conditions it could be. I'm worried & not sleeping again already though. I still don't have anyone to talk to about all of this & her relationship with her family is strained so we can't ask her nurse relatives.

Hoping for the best though.

Kermit

Hi Kermit,

What can I say? I was so pleased for you both when we got your last post and you seemed to be on the right path at last.

Has her GP given her anything to stem the bleeding? This must be worrying for you both, particularly when you have some time to wait for the appointment with the gastroenterologist. If things don't settle down get her back to her GP for an urgent referral.

I am glad to hear that you haven't consulted Dr Google too much this time - I doubt that you need to, as you seemed to be very conversant with various conditions that it could be from your studies last year.

What a pity that her relationship with her family is strained and this prevents you from discussing her condition with her nurse relatives. I hope that it doesn't take too long to get an appointment.

Like you, I am hoping and praying for the best and then this should put an end your sleepless nights.

Kind regards,

Jolamine

Hi Jolamine,

The GP tried the usual meds for hemorrhoids but it hasn't worked. They have ordered blood tests though to check for clotting capabilities & total blood cell count. Results should be ready by next week.

We have managed to get an appointment for next Tuesday as well which is a relief. My partner is a little stressed still. I've advised her it still could be as simple as internal hemorrhoids & nothing more sinister. I guess until the bleeding is actually checked & we have an actual cause we will stress.

Like last time we haven't said anything to our son. It's only been a week & he is currently away though which has helped. No point in stressing him of it turns out to be nothing.

Not sure what has caused the strain with her family but I've told her I'll reach out if required initially to save her the stress.

We have told our emails already what is going on & both have been great. Hopefully shouldn't be quite the same financial strain as previously if it turns out to be the worst.

I'll update after next Tuesday when we either have a new appointment date for whatever tests or required or some update.

Thanks again for your prayers,

Kermit

Hi Kermit,

I'm glad to hear that you have an appointment for next Tuesday and that your partner's blood results should be back by next week too

It is convenient that your son is away from home at the moment. You probably don't have to say any more to him until you get a diagnosis. He knows that his mum was unwell last year and, will probably expect her to be going back for regular check-ups anyway.

You and your partner are naturally already stressing about the outcome. There's no need to stress him out too. I sincerely hope that it turns out to be nothing more than haemorrhoids.

All the very best for next Tuesday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine

Hi All,

Well we got no update on the blood tests. I'm assuming it's a good thing as the GP said he'd call if anything was required from the results.

The referral to an endometrial specialist has hee scheduled for a colonoscopy. I always though it was a simple everyday procedure. Appears she has a diet to follow for 48 hours prior, will be asleep for it & can't be seen until middle of October.

Trying out best to ignore things for the time being though. Will update once the procedure has happened or if anything else changes.

Kermit

Hi Kermit,

I'm sorry to hear that there is no update yet on your partner's bloods and that you have to wait until the middle of October for her Colonscopy. Her eating instructions prior to this are not that difficult to follow and I'm sure that she will manage without any bother.

You are doing all you can in trying to ignore it meantime and to get on with life.

I have everything crossed for the results!

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi All.

Well I survived her 36 hour no food moods before the colonoscopy this morning...but only just.

The great news is she has 3 giant internal hemorrhoids which the doctor/specialist has tied off. She has stated this is causing pressure & sharp pain. Hopefully they die & drop off within a few days. Nothing else to report as they found no polyps or anything which we are both relieved about.

Whilst waiting around this morning I developed a severe migraine which did take several hours to relieve so I've been in a fair amount of pain myself.

So at least for now we have nothing to worry about. We have follow ups scheduled later this month with her gynaecologist & the doctor/specialist. The oncologist has advised to follow up next April as nothing has been found.

It's good we didn't have to tell anyone about this so no one bothered us & we can get back to normal life again.

Thanks all for your concern. Still great to know there is an outlet to discuss this.

Kermit