My S.O. went to the doctor’s the other day for a female problem that she was having. Found out that she has a few tumors (don’t know what kind though) in her that was causing them (the doc did an ultrasound). Friday she goes for an MRI to find out exactly where they are, and then she will have to schedual a surgery to have them removed and biopsied.
She is very worried, and so am I (what a better way to throw a wrench into a relationship). She did have a good cry last week because of it (she usually holds things in, because she never had anyone to share her feelings with), and I did tell her that I will be there for her (I will even be there when she goes for her surgery, and during her recouperation (though I will most likely have to take my vacation for this, but it will be well worth it).
I am very worried that I am going to lose her before I even get to know her, so I am asking all you dopers out there to please put your thought energies together to help me and my sweetie over this large bump in the road. Will keep all of you informed as to the progress of this.
I hope everything will be fine, and it probably will. There are lots of cysts and fibroid tumors that turn out to be nothing more than a nuisance (according to what my doctor of a few years ago told me).
I don’t think this throws a wrench into the relationship. You will learn a lot about each other in this time of stress and worry, and when you both come safely out the other side, you’ll be able to see the strength of the other.
The important thing is that you guys know about the problem, and now you can start helping her with a plan of action for getting through it. I wish her, and you, the best.
If you go to any Dr.'s appointments with your SO, ask her if it’s okay to write down on paper what the Dr. says to her, which words he/she uses, which medicines he/she percribes. When I’m nervous, I forget what the Dr. says and then wonder what is happening. This might help your SO feel more involved in her care and recovery. I hope you get to know and appreciate each other, but if she can’t share this very personal experience with you just now, please remember how much stress she’s under and if she’s used to going things alone, she may feel more comfortable doing this by herself. If she lets you help her, as I kind of hope she will, be ready to focus on her needs as they occur—they can change minute by minute. Good luck to you both and you have my prayers.
Pipefitter - it’s quite possible that these are uterine fibroid tumors, a benign tumor that is fairly common in women starting in the early to mid 30s. They tend to cause “female problems”.
I just received treatment for fibroids in May, and my life is so much better now. If this is what she has, have her email me and I can share some things with her. If she would like to talk to me, I’d be happy to do that as well, just ask and I’ll email my phone number to you.
Have you checked your collective agreement on that point? Maybe a few days could be made available for such a purpose (I’m thinking about the surgery, not necessarily the recuperation period, but who knows?).
Keep thinking positive thoughts. Can’t hurt. There’s always time to worry, if it comes to that. All the best to you and your sweetie.
You and your love are in my thoughts and prayers, honey.
This is so frightening for her…I am so glad she has you to support her through it, no matter how it turns out. She is a lucky girl in the ways that count.