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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 1:52:39
hey y'all,
I hope everyone's well, I haven't looked at any threads in a while, will catch up tonight. I haven't updated my website in 2 months, but am not feeling guilty, that's one of the benefits of self-publishing, no deadlines, you write what you want when you want. Still, I'd rather lose myself in troublewaits than have to deal with what's in front of me these days. You know I was one day away from my flight to Vancouver to be with my boyfriend/webaster for the first time in 4 months, then comes a flood of female problems, it's called DUB, Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, and you know what that means, pap smears, stirrups, wide open humiliation, memories, loneliness, disempowerement, possible cancer, definite PTSD, hahaha. Of all the illnesses god could give me it has to be gynecological, this sucks, cruel joke, what a prick, I'd rather have leukemia, lung cancer and Alzheimer's, I'd rather have rabies and spend the rest of my life in prison. Anyway, I get a biopsy in a few hours, am gonna stay up all night, read PSB archives, listen to Tom Waits, Billy Childish, and Marianne Faithful, drink brandy and try not to eat 20 dollars worth of junk food. I've gained 30 pounds in the last 2 months, Doritos around the clock,I should be passed all this, but am basically 14 years old again preparing for my first pap smear, which was involuntary VD test, result of insane bitch mother's insane sexual projections on pubescent, overweight budding alkie teenage virgin daughter. We never get completely over it, we shouldn't get over it, just try to find a place to put the memories, old friend dissociation comes back, drains mind and body, then work its way out via salty tears. I'm getting support too, and feelin better already, I walk up to people and demand they fricken help me, that's what they get for trying to turn away, as if they don't comprehend first hand more or less what I am babbling about. Suffering has its sweet side too.
love, trouble
Posted by jodie on February 10, 2003, at 2:25:31
In reply to trouble's blues, posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 1:52:39
You are going through a tough time. I am sorry. Reading your post makes me feel guilty for complaining about my day. Would like to type a nice long post, just crying too much. My eyes have to really strain to see the keyboard.
Hope the biopsy isn't too bad, and get good results!!!
Take care, drink some brandy for me. I think I'm going to binge on junk food tonight.
Jodie
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 10, 2003, at 6:04:24
In reply to trouble's blues, posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 1:52:39
*hugs* I hate pap smears.. hate them with a vengence..
I also suffer from bleeding like that... and each time I have the pap smears etc.. so nasty. On top of the fact I ahve to have pap smears every 3 months anyway after a cancer scare..
Are you having a cone biopsy?? They're not the nicest thing int he world, but not the worst... I actually find them a little better than a normal pap smear, cos they're done by my GYN who is so much better at such things than the stupid nurse at my GP's who won;t believe me how much it damned well hurts when she does it.
I'll be thinking of you.. let us know how you get on OK??
Oh, and I was finally given tablets that cleared my bleeding up each time it happened..
Nikki xx
Posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 6:50:57
In reply to Re: trouble's blues » trouble, posted by NikkiT2 on February 10, 2003, at 6:04:24
> *hugs* I hate pap smears.. hate them with a vengence..
>
> I also suffer from bleeding like that... and each time I have the pap smears etc.. so nasty. On top of the fact I ahve to have pap smears every 3 months anyway after a cancer scare..
>
> Are you having a cone biopsy?? They're not the nicest thing int he world, but not the worst... I actually find them a little better than a normal pap smear, cos they're done by my GYN who is so much better at such things than the stupid nurse at my GP's who won;t believe me how much it damned well hurts when she does it.
>
> I'll be thinking of you.. let us know how you get on OK??
>
> Oh, and I was finally given tablets that cleared my bleeding up each time it happened..
>
> Nikki xxHi Nikki xx,
thanks for your encouraging note, I don't know what kind of biopsy i will be having but have been freaking about the pain factor, so maybe it won't be all that bad, will know in 2 hours.
Once I had fibroids or dometreosis or something, and a d+c for that 20 years back, i was deliberately vague as to my illness, which is a bad thing, all my docs want that info now, i don't even remember the name of the hospital i had the operation at, then had one abnormal pap 5 years ago, and mom and sister have had surgeries, hysterectomies and miscarriages too, so i've been waiting for my own cancer call, the menstrual periods have gotten bad, if you know what i mean, and now this DUB thing, so i just assume must mean i'll be planning my funeral this year instead of the wedding. I know nothing about the female reproductive system, all I care about is my sex drive and so long as that's working I ignore the whole rotten swamp below the belt. Wish I knew what to expect today, ISOM will explain all this later I bet, the few websites I looked at this weeekend are too scary to read, I am that bleedin ignorant. But your testimony makes it sound like this problem may be manageable, I'm going in blind, passive, the whole female body is too peculiar and complicated for me to study, rocket science, I "know" I should be more informed wouldn't it be nice if this was not some terminal illness but a spiritual wake-up-and-smell-the-goddess lesson, wouldn't that be a pretty thing? Anyways. I have half a mind to go back to bed, but going public with my appointment makes me obligated to go thru with it, or end up with egg on my face in front of y'all. OK, talk to you soon.trouble
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 10, 2003, at 8:07:48
In reply to Re: trouble's blues, posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 6:50:57
HUn.. you know its best to get this checked out.. bleeding does *not* mean cancer. With mine, I had the biopsy (which I cross my heart really wasn't too bad) and bled a little after, and had mild cramps (but that was probably pscyhosamatic (sp!)). After the biopsy came back with bad cells, I had a procedure called diathermy where they remove the top layer of skin around the cervix. I got a local aneasthetic for this so no pain (and believe me I'm a wuss), just a few weeks of very annoying bleeding.
I also had a D&C 8 years ago when I first got the bleeding problems, and another one after a miscarriage 3 years ago.
Remember, we're here to support you.
Us women have very strange bodies.. and so many things can cause strange bleeding.. hormone levels (including onset of menopause!! My mum bled terribly when she started menopause) are a big cause.
Just know I'm thinking of you today hun.
Nikki xx
Posted by Alii on February 10, 2003, at 10:53:14
In reply to trouble's blues, posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 1:52:39
Sucks babe. Sending you chick vibes from the West Coast.
As always it is nice to see your voice ringing through the hushed library.
Keep us updated dear. You matter.
~Alii
Posted by wendy b. on February 10, 2003, at 16:29:53
In reply to trouble's blues, posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 1:52:39
Hey, Robin!
(I know I'm not IsoM, but in a pinch...)
You are going to be fine! Please read a good book on female bodily functions, issues, pleasures... The best for chicas like us is: "Our Bodies, Our Selves" by the Boston Women's Health Collective (written back when anything communal and alternative was called a collective). It's updated every few years... I first read it when I was 16, and it made an incredible impression on me. My mother's attitudes toward bodies in general was kinda hysterical, so it counter-balanced the fear I learned at home. Ignorance is fear, learn all you can. Your body, even after all you've gone through, is indeed your friend.
MANY MANY women have "abnormal" bleeding, and depending on your circumstances, there are many options for treatment, as soon as we know what the deal on the biopsy is... Please let us know and report back after your appointments. If the doctor you're seeing is in any way not listening to you, you will get another until he/she does. OK? Nothing but the best for you, I mean it. Explaining your issues re: the PTSD woud probably be a good move, too.
Most abnormal bleeding can be controlled through hormones of some kind. Please tell me ALL meds you're currently taking, your age (I should know this already), and if you have any contraindications regarding hormones. In the past, I had too much period flow, risking amemia, and my OB/GYN prescribed low-dose oral contraceptives, and it made a world of difference. Three days of a light period every month, that's it. Easy. I recommend it highly...
If you have to have any other procedures on your cervix, take a safe anti-inflammatory (extra-strength Advil or Tylenol, whichever your doc recommends) *before* you go to the doctor's office. It helps keep pain and cramping away. Pre-emptive strike.
I'm sorry, too, about the delay in going to Canada and seeing the man, but you'll get sorted out, I know. And ask the doctor when it's ok to have sex, sometimes after biopsies you have to wait several weeks or you risk infection. So check and make sure...
lotsa love,
Wendy
Posted by wendy b. on February 10, 2003, at 21:32:04
In reply to Re: trouble's blues » trouble, posted by wendy b. on February 10, 2003, at 16:29:53
The double-quoted link to Amazon (BOB! I did try!) brings you to a book quite far from what I thought I was linking to. I'll try it in this message wih my own link, let's see if it works:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785780726/drbobsvirte00-20Remember, it's by the Boston Women's Health Collective, just in case you lose the link.
my best to you,
Wendela
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 11, 2003, at 17:49:20
In reply to Re: double quotes for Trouble, posted by wendy b. on February 10, 2003, at 21:32:04
> The double-quoted link to Amazon (BOB! I did try!) brings you to a book quite far from what I thought I was linking to.
Thanks for trying. :-) I think it was saying "Our Selves" instead of "Ourselves"...
Bob
Posted by noa on February 11, 2003, at 19:21:49
In reply to Re: trouble's blues » trouble, posted by wendy b. on February 10, 2003, at 16:29:53
My sister gave "Our Bodies Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective" to me when I was 16 and she was 24, married, and pregnant. This was when the book was rather new--in the 70's. It felt very special to receive this gift from her. About 10 years ago, I bought an updated version. It is a great book.
In the late 80's, I became acquainted with one of the orginal authors. I later started hearing her on radio health shows, etc., as she was an expert on breast cancer. Sadly, sometime in the past 8 years or so, I also heard on the radio that she herself had died of breast cancer.
I think PsychoBabble, like many other groups for self-education on health issues, is kind of a godchild of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective
Posted by shar on February 12, 2003, at 1:34:22
In reply to Re: Our Bodies Ourselves, posted by noa on February 11, 2003, at 19:21:49
Trouble--About paps, etc., I had a culposcopy a few years back and it did not hurt (that's where they cut or pinch a chunk off of your cervix). I hope, Trouble, that yours goes as well. I've heard d & c's can be very painful, and my sympathy to you for having to deal with that. Please let us know how it goes (went, by now, perhaps), if you want to.
Noa--A flood of memories from that book! In the early 70's I was doing women's health/birth control counseling at the San Antonio Free Clinic, and we used materials from the collective. When I could, I got the original version, and have had every version since...including, now, "Ourselves, Growing Older" which is just the ticket.
Nice to hear other people also appreciating their work.
Shar
> My sister gave "Our Bodies Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective" to me when I was 16 and she was 24, married, and pregnant. This was when the book was rather new--in the 70's. It felt very special to receive this gift from her. About 10 years ago, I bought an updated version. It is a great book.
>
> In the late 80's, I became acquainted with one of the orginal authors. I later started hearing her on radio health shows, etc., as she was an expert on breast cancer. Sadly, sometime in the past 8 years or so, I also heard on the radio that she herself had died of breast cancer.
>
> I think PsychoBabble, like many other groups for self-education on health issues, is kind of a godchild of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective
Posted by beardedlady on February 12, 2003, at 6:54:05
In reply to Re: Our Bodies Ourselves--Trouble and Noa, posted by shar on February 12, 2003, at 1:34:22
"Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom," by Christiane Northrop. It's my bedside dictionary.
Beardy : )>
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 12, 2003, at 19:30:46
In reply to Re: Our Bodies Ourselves--Trouble and Noa, posted by shar on February 12, 2003, at 1:34:22
> When I could, I got the original version, and have had every version since...including, now, "Ourselves, Growing Older" which is just the ticket.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
But I don't mean to be pushy. Did you deliberately not use it to link to Amazon? If so, I'd be interested in why, over at Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Dinah on February 12, 2003, at 22:48:43
In reply to trouble's blues, posted by trouble on February 10, 2003, at 1:52:39
I'm sure it would just be annoying for me to say that we usually work ourselves up over these tests and they come back fine. At least those sage words of advice do nothing for me when I'm waiting for test results. And doctors offices can be absolutely sadistic in transmitting results. Have you heard anything yet?
Sending lots of good thoughts your way.
Dinah
Posted by shar on February 13, 2003, at 0:44:51
In reply to Re: Our Bodies Ourselves--Trouble and Noa, posted by shar on February 12, 2003, at 1:34:22
"Our Bodies, Ourselves"
"Ourselves, Growing Older"Like that?
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 14, 2003, at 0:30:23
In reply to Re: Our Bodies Ourselves-double quotes, posted by shar on February 13, 2003, at 0:44:51
> "Our Bodies, Ourselves"
> "Ourselves, Growing Older"
>
> Like that?Like that! :-)
Bob
Posted by jane d on February 14, 2003, at 1:20:56
In reply to Re: Our Bodies Ourselves, posted by noa on February 11, 2003, at 19:21:49
> I think PsychoBabble, like many other groups for self-education on health issues, is kind of a godchild of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective
Noa,
I discovered the book at about the same age you did, 15 or 16, and immediately had to read the entire book (a little furtively I'm afraid). It's strange to think how much of an information vacuum there was at that time. Just as important I think was the attitude that came with the information. I think you are right that it was the precursor of sites like this one.
Jane
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