Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Schmedical Update: HIGH FIVE!

Today was my new doctor's appointment - the one that's had me terrified for nearly a month now.  

I never want to turn this blog into a personal medical journal, but I had to update you guys because a) you all showed me so much support over my last cancelled appointment, and b) several of you have been e-mailing to make sure I made a new appointment, and kept it. I think one even called me "young lady." :D


Anyway, after looking over all your doctor recs and a lot of online research, John & I made an appointment with Dr. Parmelee Thatcher of Women's Care Florida here in Orlando.


Last night I was a bit of a mess; I was wobbly and my palms wouldn't stop sweating and I couldn't focus on anything else. Finally I mentioned it on the Epbot FB page, and the notes you guys left for me there made such a difference. Just like last time, I could physically feel that outpouring of support, and I actually felt so confident leaving this morning that I didn't even take a Xanax.


Ok, so maybe I was a little over confident.


The staff was wonderful - we saw nothing but big smiles and attentive workers from the moment we walked in. The waiting is always the hardest part, so I was a bit shaky and sweaty by the time we sat down with the doctor for the pre-exam office consult. (Although we were only in the waiting room about 10 minutes - not bad, right?) 

I held it together until I had to mention the trauma from my last visit, and then my control slipped. John took over while I sucked air and had a bit of a cry, and Dr. Thatcher, wide-eyed, talked quickly over my tears about how different a biopsy is from a pap, and how this exam would be nothing like that, and a few other things I didn't quite catch because I was so stinking embarrassed and I didn't have any tissues.


Dr. Thatcher herself is quick, a bit brisk, but extremely attentive. I didn't feel rushed at all, although once or twice later I had to work a tiny bit to get a question in, because she's a very quick talker. 


After my outburst I reluctantly took half a Xanax, we talked a bit more about my history, and then moved on to the exam room.

Dr. Thatcher gave us a little extra time there to make sure my Xanax had kicked in, which was very considerate of her, and every room had a TV on the wall, which made for a nice distraction. 


The exam itself was very quick, and only minimally painful. Really, by the time I was thinking, "Ok, this kinda hurts," she was done.  Like I said, the waiting is always the hardest part. Also, John was beside me holding my hand the whole time.


Before she left the room to let me change, Dr. Thatcher made sure to stop beside me, look me in the eye, and ask if I was Ok. And you know what? I was. 


After that I had to immediately face another fear of getting two vials of blood drawn, which hurt, dangit, but by then I was past the point of panic, thanks to the Xanax and to John being beside me (although he was careful not to look at the needle). I'm glad they do blood draws there in the office, too; that's one less thing to stress about later.


And now I'm home, and utterly relieved, and ready to attack this stack of paperwork about endometriosis and Lupron shots and yeesh why does all this stuff have to be so complicated? Urg. I go back for more tests in about a month, but I feel ok about that now; I think the biggest hurdle is behind me.


Words aren't enough. They never will be. But I'll say them again anyway: Thank you. 


Now: VIRTUAL HIGH FIVES ALL 'ROUND!!

203 comments:

  1. Aww, Jen, I actually got a little teary because I could really feel your relief and seriously, I'm so proud of you. I want to give you a virtual ((BIG HUG)).

    So glad you're doing ok.

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  2. Yay!!! So glad you had a good experience and found a good doctor!! Sucks that you have to go through all this but at least it sounds like you are in capable hands this time!! ♥

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  3. I am so freakin' proud of you!

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  4. What a relief! SO happy you found someone who will listen!

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  5. I'm so glad it turned out well!

    I thought about you waiting to get my surprise pap earlier this week (which I realize now sounds a little creepy), and I can report, because of my new anti-fibromyalgia medicine, it was the first pap of my life that didn't feel like rabid weasels were attacking my lady parts. My doctor actually listened to me and talked me through ever single thing he did. I left thinking, If Jen ever moves to Montana, I have the perfect doctor for her!

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  6. I'm so glad to hear that this Dr. apt went so much better and that she checked to make sure you were ok!

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  7. That's wonderful news! I hope you' re still doing well and can now relax!

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  8. Hooray! I'm so glad you've found a good doctor and that everything went alright!

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  9. High Five back!
    I had my hysterectomy 4 years ago. Doc, bf, mom, friends, all tried to talk me out of it. I didn't listen and did it anyway. Turned out I was right, there was an issue there that needed to be fixed that way.

    The plus side, it kinda cured my bipolar disorder. I was able to stop taking psychiatric medications after that.

    I don't look back and wish. I hope that whatever happens with you, and whatever decision you make, you have no regrets.

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  11. WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!! :D :D So proud of you! Thank you for posting. *high five*

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  12. Words are sometimes enough.

    We love you, Jen!

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  13. I honestly teared up. So happy for you that you got through it, kudos go out to John for supporting you, and the Doctor for being so kind and considerate! :)

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  14. Yay! I knew you could do it! The attitude of the staff is a good indicator about how good a doctor is.
    Since she's such a quick talker, I would recommend typing up a list of your questions & taking it with you to your next visit. Doctors actually prefer that & it makes the visit go smoother.

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  15. I love this story. I'm so happy you went despite your fears. And I'm so happy it wasn't traumatic. I also hope you get back to normal (well, normal for you :D) very soon. Internet hugs!

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  16. Yay for you, Jen! You're fantastically brave, I hope you know that. :)

    You've been one of my role models for a very long time, and watching you face your fears like this has only increased my respect for you.

    *hugs*

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  17. I love this story. I'm so happy you went despite your fears. And I'm so happy it wasn't traumatic. I also hope you get back to normal (well, normal for you :D) very soon. Internet hugs!

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  18. GO JEN GO! I'm so happy that it went well, and that John is so wonderful, and that you're awesome. :D

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  19. You ROCK, Jen!! I'm so,so proud of you! I know how terrifying such experiences can be, and I am SO thrilled that you're past the hardest part of the process. You are so loved and cared about. :)

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  20. Congrats Jen!!! I'm so happy it went well!!

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  21. *high five*!

    and for what it's worth, SO PROUD! You stood up for yourself, you took care of yourself, you did it all!

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  22. Virtual High 5 back at ya, Jen!
    *doing happy dance for you*

    So glad everything went well today and that makes me need to get on the ball and get the doctors myself...don't want to go, but know I should. If you can survive it I know I can! So thanks!! =)

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  23. Oh Jen I'm so glad it went well!!! And it sounds like you have found a good doctor to take care of your girly bits! Time for cake!

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  24. You did it! HIGH FIVE

    I hope you see good results and can keep pushing through your fear to a good solution =D

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  25. yay!!!! I am so proud of you for conquering that fear! I am having a sleep dental procedure done at the end of the month because I keep having panic attacks at the regular dentist, I am glad that you made it through, and won't have to go back for a while hopefully!

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  26. Congrats! And ditto on the waiting being the worst. It's always when my hypochondria sets in, and then I know I'm going to die of a rare disease...

    But glad you made it through this with only minor embarrassment and no unnecessary pain!

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  27. I'm so glad this time went better for you. x

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  28. I'm so glad this time went better for you. x

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  29. Hooray, I'm so glad it went well, and that you found a caring, compassionate doctor!

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  30. You're so brave to go through with that appointment! I'm so glad you found a good doctor who is competent and nice. Here's to as few appointments as possible, but bearable ones when they do have to happen.

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  31. *hug* Yay for understanding, caring doctors! I'm so proud of you!!

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  32. I am so glad it went well. There is no reason to see a doc who doesn't treat you like you are human. I am glad you advocated for yourself. I am so glad you felt uplifted by the love from us your faithful readers.

    Hopefully you can amass a series of non-incidents now that will help ease the fear and trauma of even the waiting part. Hooray!

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  33. Congratulations! It's great you made it through okay, and now maybe you'll be able to be more confident in the future. Gyn visits have never been my favourite, either. Thank goodness John is so supportive, you're really lucky to have a husband who is! Go hug that man. HUG HIM RIGHT NOW!!!

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  34. YAY! YAYYAYYAY!!! You did it! I knew you could! I *know* that was really hard, and you DID IT! Big hugs and that virtual high five (low five . . . to the side . . . slap me some skin . . . yeeeah! (sorry, my husband's been teaching that to our 3yo. Nothing like some obsolete jive . . .))

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  35. I NEVER post comments, but I had to this time. SO glad to hear your appt went so well and you are doing well. Thank you for blogs (both this one and CW).. they make me happy in so many ways!

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  36. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did it!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

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  37. Awesome! ((HUGS)) I think you've found the right doctor. Now, lets get you all fixed up. :o)

    High Five!

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  38. I'm absolutely thrilled for you that it went well!!

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  39. Woohoo! Jen, you are one brave lady. Congratulations on persevering, finding a better doctor, and courageously going to the new appointment. I hope you feel better soon, I wish I were there to bake you a cake, or something. :}

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  40. Oh good! I am so glad you are alright. Nerves can get the better of any of us, and I find, often is the worst part of whatever I am going through.
    (hugs)

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  41. You are a rock star!! Facing your fears is one of the scariest things in life and you did it. There is something so freeing about living through the fear and coming out the other side being okay. Many kudos to you and let John know he's among the amazing husband club - as if he didn't already know:)

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  42. Fabulous for you! Hope it continues to be as good as a stressful situation can be.

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  43. I am SO glad you had a good experience this time. I've been following you for yrs but this is the first time commenting. I suffer from anxiety and depression and know how hard it is to face things. Escpecially stuff that make you super worried in the first place. virtual hugs from Nova Scotia!

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  44. I am glad you found a doctor you can relate to. As a nurse, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly and there are lots of good ones out there. I once made a recommendation for a surgeon I had used and the person didn't like him for the very same reasons that I did...so it can be quite individual. Still, finding the right one for you can be daunting but it looks like Dr. Thacker has proven her worth for you. High fives and happy smiles all around!

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  45. Yay! Glad to hear. Thanks for sharing, and don't forget that the Force is with you through all of it!

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  46. I'm celebrating for you, with peanut butter ice cream.

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  47. Woohoo! Good for you and glad to hear this time it went pretty darn well!

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  48. Congratulations. You deserve it, girl!

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  49. YAY!!!! You did it!!! I know that we as your loyal friends/virtual friends are so proud of you!

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  50. I'm so glad it went ok, and that you are taking care of yourself! High fives to you, and to John for being such a great hubby!

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  51. Congrats on getting through it, Jen.

    Going through something like that can be really scary after having previously awful experiences.

    I remember reading your first accounts of what had happened before and I was just shocked and disgusted that any person, let alone a doctor, would do things like that.

    Good luck on your path towards getting your life back in your own hands- at first it is scary and crappy, but once you figure out what is going on, and the testing is over, and you get settled into the routine of management/treatments/whatever it is that is necessary, it becomes pretty standard and easy to forget about.

    I hope things keep going well!

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  52. Lucy from ScotlandJuly 18, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    Well done!! I'm really glad it went so well for you, particularly after the nasty experience you had before! It always makes one feel better when one has a good, supportive doctor, whatever the procedure :) Also, I hope that one day I will have a hubby as supportive as John :D

    Lucy

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  53. So happy for you! I am one of the ones who recommended Dr. Thatcher to you. I am still grateful for her kindness to me when she delivered the news that I would probably need a c-section after 20 hours of unproductive labor. Very glad she was kind to you as well.

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  54. YAAAAAAAY!!! I'm so proud of you! You can totally do this! I'm so glad that you found someone you can work with! *High five!!!*

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  55. Yeah, Jen. I am sooo glad that you not kept your appointment but found a doctor that took you seriously and was attentive and took you into consideration. I'm sure that was the biggest block. I hope you can forge a great relationship with this doctor knowing that you can trust her with your issues and feelings and she will utilize that in your treatment whatever it may be. You were a trooper and Jon owes a prezzie of some kind for it. Be sure to tell him so.

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  56. i am SO GLAD you found a doctor who took the time to listen to your concerns, acknowledge them, and consider them during your appointment. way to go for getting this done! i hope that this first step will take some of the anxiety away from your future appointments. you are awesome!

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  57. Good for you.
    I know it sucked...but I'm glad you got through it. I have not had an experience quite as bad as yours...they just left me in a gown on a table for 2 hours waiting for a biopsy that no one had told me I'd be having when I was trying to rush home to be with my father whose wife was dying...but I did have a full-blown needle phobia.
    Hypnotherapy. Seriously. Best thing I've ever done. I don't love needles even now, and I never look, but I don't panic and I swear sticks hurt less.
    Hoping all the news is good from here on out.

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  58. *high five* Way to go, Jen! And awesome job of being there, John. I'm really glad you got a doctor that you feel cares about you. Deep breath now, you made it through! :)

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  59. *HUGS* Good for you! So very very glad you found someone to help you.

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  60. A high five to you Jen. So glad you found a Doctor that you can like and trust. And so glad you didn't put this appointment off. We're proud of you!

    Carolina

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  61. I'm so glad you got through it ok. Good job!!! When I had to have a lot of blood drawn for my pregnancy, I always had them use "kid's" (sissie's) or "butterfly" needles to do the job. It works just the same but is the tiniest and thinnest needle. Try that next time. Very happy for you that you are ok, home and have a wonderful man like John to hold your hand! :)

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    Replies
    1. My sister in law is a phlebotomist. While the butterfly needles are super tiny, they also take a lot longer to draw the same amount of blood. For some people, that extra time is more traumatic than the initial stick. It bears considering.

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  62. Jen,
    I am so happy it turned out OK. Personally I really appreciated your medical posts due to my own anxieties, it made me feel like I wasn't alone.

    I will be moving to the Orlando area soon, I will be needing a very good OBGYN, so your follow up post was most helpful.

    I'll be rooting for you as you continue your treatment since I'll probably will be starting mine at some point in the future.

    Now I gotta be brave, like you, and get my toosh to the doctor's office.

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  63. I'm glad things went better this time! I hope that this doctor works out for you.

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  64. Im so glad everything went ok!
    I've also been putting off going to the doctors, but at this point I'm like "Pssht if Jen can do it, I can TOTALLY do it!" <3

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  65. I think you're amazingly strong... I hope the worst is over! :)

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  66. So glad you had a better experience this time!!! *hugs*

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  67. I know it might sound crazy to feel so relieved for someone you've never met, but there you go - I'm so glad you're okay!

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  68. Absolute high five!! so proud of your for facing down your demon! way to go, both of you!

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  69. I'm so glad your appointment went well! Doctor visits are always kind of uncomfortable, and even worse when you think something is wrong. Good for you in going back, and I'm glad you feel better!

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  70. Once again, I'm the world's biggest proponent of hysterectomies, but I wanted to give you my two cents on Lupron. I did the shots for six months, and they weren't too bad. The mood swings and hot flashes were no fun, but bearable. Unfortunately, for me, they didn't work. If you don't mind hormone pills every day, I say just go for the hysterectomy. But I say that to everybody.

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  71. Well done!
    The right doctor makes all the difference.
    Now give yourself some ice cream.

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  72. Good job Jen! Glad it went better this time :)

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  73. Having just undergone medical trauma myself (MRI; sooo not fun for claustrophobes), I send {{HUGS}} to you, high fives to John (or you can share your hugs with him if you want) and big *sighs* of relief that neither of us has to go thru any of that again, right?

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  74. Yay for good docs!

    As someone who went through the whole endometriosis mess, I know that finding a doc who would listen to me and work with me was the best thing ever. The Lupron should help as well, it did for me.

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  75. High five right back atcha! As much love and support as we could feasibly send, you still had to do it... and you DID!

    How ever the results turn out, and whatever treatments you sign up for, you will always remember this victory and each time you'll feel stronger.

    Way to go, young lady ;-)

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  76. Jen, I am so glad to hear things went well with the new Dr. I was thinking about it the other day, wondering if you had the appt. yet, glad that you let us all know! I think things will be very different now- you found a doc you can trust. It's a very important thing, especially the "lady parts dr." Bravissima! :)

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  77. What a relief! Bravo!!!!

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  78. So glad you found a doctor to trust! As for the blood draw, the *most* you should feel is a tiny pinch as the needle goes in, if you had pain, TELL THE DOCTOR! Her phlebotomist stinks! I had 4 vials drawn today, and she was the best I've ever had. Usually I have them digging around to my elbow bone! or they push down with the cotton before taking the needle all the way out. Seriously, if you don't tell the Dr. that it hurt, she won't do anything to prevent it next time. Getting blood drawn is *infinitely* less painful than a shot.

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  79. I am so stinkin proud of you! Virtual hugs & if I were in Florida instead of Washington we would be headed for Dole whips!!

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  80. So so glad you got a doctor you like! And you know what, I think she'll grow on you. You'll be thinking of her fondly before you know it. Perhaps not her appointments as much, but her. And the rest will only get better too.

    This was a tremendous step toward conquering your fears and getting over your past experience (as much as is realistically possible). Congratulations, and I hope you have nothing but continued success!

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  81. YOU DID IT! Did your doctor mention a hysterectomy for your endometriosis? I had one for mine, my insurance even covered it, because of the endometriosis. Also, mine was a partial, meaning only my uterus and the top of my cervix were taken out, so I don't have to take hormones. Also, mine was minimally invasive, only three teeny, tiny scars. One in the belly button and two nearish my hip bones. I was put under general anesthesia for it. It was the best decision of my life. NO MORE PERIOD!! You might want to check into it. It's called a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Good luck with everything. I think an ablation sounds way too painful.

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  82. Yay!!!! I am so glad it went well. Thanks for updating us. I really wanted to hear that it all went okay. I'm so glad you cancelled you last appointment, and made this one.

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  83. I'm so glad you found such a great place!! It's terrifying after your original experience so being able to even go again is monumental!!

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  84. I'm so glad you found such a great place!! It's terrifying after your original experience so being able to even go again is monumental!!

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  85. I'm SO glad you got a doc that didn't freak you out! Yay!! And you rock for having the guts to get through it. I was actually thinking about you around 2 your time wondering how it was going. I'm glad it went as well as those things can go!

    As for the quick talking, I had a doc like that, too. I'm also a quick talker. Add to the fact she and I bonded so much over the course of my pregnancy that for the first 3 months I almost always forgot to talk about my questions! She and I would get sidetracked speed talking about other subjects and I would have to call when I got home to relay the questions I actually had. I solved the problem by making sure I wrote a list to carry in my hand when I went in. The paper in my hand served to remind both of us that I had something I needed to know before I left.

    Hugs to you!!

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  86. That is FANTASTIC!! Woohoo! You did it!

    Going to the GYN is never all that fun especially that first visit. When else are you going to let a complete stranger get that up in your business? A good doc makes it easy though.

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  87. Awesome Jen - as someone who knows exactly how you feel - and how great you feel when you tackle something so scary - It's just plain awesome!!!!! Hugs, thumbs up, and a standing O!

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  88. Way to go, Jen! If it helps to know, I've been on Lupron -- while it wasn't exactly a joy-ride it was worth the effort since my pain subsided quite a bit afterward. Hang in there - you are brave, fearless, and powerful!

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  89. Very proud of you!! Good that you found a doctor who actually as responsive and sensitive to your earlier experience. I like that she stopped and asked if you were okay. That goes a long way with me.

    *fistbump*

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  90. Jen. Love you guys! Congrats on facing up to your fears! I'm sorry that you've got to deal with all this. I'm less than 2 wks post partial hysterectomy myself and I feel great! I'm only 33 and did it for personal reasons. Just want to say that even if you have to go that route it's not bad at all

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  91. Big Hug Jen. I'm so glad everything went well for you.

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  92. So glad this one went so well for you! She sounds like a good doctor, and I'm glad you waited until you found her.

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  93. So this is my first time ever posting a comment anywhere except Pottermore, but I just had to tell you that I'm so glad it worked out! You go, girl!

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  94. WELL DONE!!! Community is awesome. So glad to hear you had a positive experience today with a physician who was actually interested in listening and understanding. :)

    We will be waiting for more news!
    (just a thought....in your spare time, hahaha, maybe you should start one more blog. a medical experience sharing place. you have such a broad following, you could reach many people quickly! both good and bad experiences could be shared and we could support each other in our journeys)

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  95. I am so glad you found a real doctor instead of a 'medical-bot'!

    Hope things go really, really, well for you. Thanks for the update.

    (And of course we would want to know about you, you're kinda larger-than-life now and we all love you!)

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  96. Glad your appoinment went well Jen.
    :3

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  97. WELL DONE!!! So glad you had a positive experience with a physician who is actually interested in listening and understanding you!

    Maybe your next blog can be a medical experience blog, where we can share good and bad experiences and find support from others who've gone through it before us. You know...in your free time. ;D

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  98. Aw, sweetheart, we knew you could do it. You are awesome, and thanks for keeping us informed.

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  99. *fist bump*

    YAY! I'm glad you found a doctor that's more to your liking. It sounds like she really listened to your concerns, especially your issues with the other doc.

    I'm glad things went OK and I'm proud of you for facing your fear.

    You rock, lady!

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  100. VIRTUAL HIGH FIVE GIRLIE!

    The right doctor makes all the difference. I'm glad you waited and were able to have a good experience.

    I'm proud of you for doing what you need to do to take care of yourself.

    Keep plugging along, sweetheart. You're doing everything the right way.

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  101. So proud of you. Fight the fear. You WILL win.

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  102. From one Jen to another...
    WELL DONE! I had a very painful MRI today and was with you in spirit, knowing that I needed it and could get through it.
    And, adding my two cents, a hysterectomy is the way to go! Trips to the Magic Kingdom are even better when Aunt Flo stays at home.

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  103. I have tears in my eyes, I'm so relieved for you. I'm so glad your visit went well!

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  104. Jen,
    Just found the precursor story and this update a few minutes ago. Saw a lot of commentary about medical procedures and phobias, but the fact of the matter is that you were assaulted in that office. I am a nurse and what that doctor did was an assault. And I am relieved that your current provider seems to understand that :)
    I would suggest contacting a therapist who works with PTSD related to assaults, it might help with ongoing anxiety and other aftereffects of such an egregious violation of trust.
    As a nurse, I only wish I had been in the room at the time...

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  105. HOORAY for you and John BOTH!! I am SO GLAD you made and kept that appointment.

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  106. I'm so glad that everything turned out okay. I think we're all are.

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  107. Virtual High Five back atcha! I always feel so relieved when that yearly check-up is over. Hope the rest of the tests are a piece of cake now.

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  108. Way to go! I'm so glad you found a good doc & that the appt went relatively painlessly! And if I ever change lady docs, I'll take your recommendation!

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  109. Yay!!!!!! That took guts, good job!

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  110. Yay! I'm so excited for you. I knew you could do it. I'm glad that I am able to support you through this. You have so many people out here who are cheering you one. You're not in this alone!!

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  111. Is it weird to say that I got totally choked up reading this because I'm so proud of you and what you accomplished today? Well, too bad if it is because I totally did! I'm so glad that this doctor visit was an overall good experience for you to replace the nightmare from the last one. You are awesome, Jen! And so is John! :D

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  112. Good for you. Trying to use your experience to motivate myself. Now treat yourself to pizza, any series marathon and a fuzzy blanket.....pets optional. You did it!

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  113. Yay! Glad the visit went okay. *hug*

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  114. Every part of my ballet-bruised, exam-fried nerve body is doing a happy dance for you! :D This totally made my day; you're in inspiration! xoxoxo Thanks for pouring so much sweetness (haha bad pun INTENDED like a boss) into so many people's lives; you can only imagine how we feel when we say Thank YOU! :D

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  115. I'm so glad it worked out for you!

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  116. I am so glad the appointment went well! I hope that you can get the answers you need from it.

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  117. Jen,
    As a sister Jenn & Endometriosis sufferee. You did great!!! I am so proud of you. I've been where you were 100%. Crying in doc offices is my specialty.
    Endometriosis is the 1 under diagnosised female ailment. So do research & listen to your body. You know what it's telling you. & you ARE NOT crazy. Esteogen + Endometriosis = evil.
    Love to you & John. (((hug)))

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  118. YEAH JEN! GO GIRL GO! So proud of you, and so GLAD that you had a much, much better experience!

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  119. You are such a brave girly! I'm so glad this went well for you. I thought about you during the day. I'm sending Hugs your way.

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  120. This is so much more what medical CARE is supposed to be! I'm so glad things went smoothly. You're setting a great example by sticking with it and taking care of yourself! Continuing to send good vibes your way.

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  121. Jen, I am SO PROUD of you!!!! You seem like the kind of gal I would be honored to have as a friend, so it is with big virtual hugs I say" Ya done good!" :)
    Myra

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  122. Yay for a good visit today! I'm proud of you for going in spite of your fear, and I'm proud of John for being so supportive. (Hugs to both of ya'.)

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  123. Yay Jen!!
    You did it!! Total high fives, and thankful that it all went okay...woo-hoo!! :)
    Martha Ann

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  124. *high five*

    I'm really happy for you that today went good for you. Since we move around so much, I have the stress of new doctors every 2 to 4 years. I've been very blessed to find excellent doctors every time, but I have had appalling luck with dentists (as in insurance fraud and not performing procedures that were necessary).

    While it isn't as traumatic as your experiences, it's made me very mistrustful of dentists, so I am able to relate minimally.

    Maybe it sounds silly or condescending, but I'm proud of you!! It's hard to make yourself face your fears, and you did that. And it sounds like it was a success.

    I hope that all of your future visits are as successful, and that you're able to get on the road to good health and comfort soon. :)

    ((Hugs))

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  125. Yay! Well done! I'm so proud of you for facing such a huge fear! I'm so glad you found a great Dr. - complete with great office staff to boot!
    <<<<<>>>>>>

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  126. That is wonderful that after all you have been through you were able to find a caring doctor! Kudos on facing your fears! =)

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  127. Awesome! I'm so happy that this doctor works much better for you. :D I think you're very brave.

    I'm having a little personal freak out now, because I've got to get blood drawn Friday. But reading this helped a little. (And I love your reward idea!)

    High five back at ya!

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  128. Woo hoo! Now you get to relax. :)

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  129. Excellent. Good for you for being able to get through it.

    I had quite a traumatic experience when going in for a biopsy in 2009, to the point that the female doctor was one helluva bitch to me and instead of making me feel comfortable and at ease and understanding that everything will be okay, even if results aren't great, she made me feel like a scum bag and worthless and I had a really hard time holding back the tears. I didn't want to go back the following year for my annual, but I was assured my normal doctor would be on duty at the time. No one at the office really seemed to care that the one female doctor was an awful awful person, despite the long, well-composed letter I sent.

    If you could conquer this, you can take on anything!

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  130. By sharing your life on this level, you are giving back so much more than you will ever know. I guess we're all voyeurs on the Internet, but reading the carefully crafted words of your experiences, fears and triumphs has given me strength at times when it was much needed.

    Thank you, Ms. Yates, for being a really great and uncommonly brave kind of human.

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  131. Fabulous! I'm so proud of you for going ahead and not only making the appointment, but keeping it! It's a hard thing to get over, having a lousy doctor, but you've done really well. Go treat yourself to some ice cream - or more steampunk goodies. Best wishes!

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  132. Girl, you ROCK! So glad you had a good experience this time around, and so admiring of your willingness to fight through this. Keep up the good work - and DEFINITELY indulge in the retail therapy when you need it...I know I do! :)

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  133. Oh, well DONE, Jen! So proud of you that you made another appointment -- AND went! Kudos to John too. Doing the Snoopy dance for you!!!

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  134. Yay Jen!! So glad you went, and so glad it was a better experience. You can do this! Hugs to you and John.

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  135. As someone who went 7 years of doctors telling me I was crazy for the pain I was in, I know that feeling of relief when you find a doctor that actually CARES. I'm glad you found one!

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  136. Good on you for pushing through! It's great that you found a much better doctor and that you now have a good experience to think on for any future visits. *HIGH FIVE*

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  137. Congratulations Jen. Well done.

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  138. Good on ya Jen! High five! I even shed a few tears too for the relief of it all and the built up stress. Keep pushing forward.

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  139. BIG TIME HUG!!! Having done some medical stuff myself not too long ago, I can say with confidence that you got this! Love and light.

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  140. Yay! I am so glad you found someone you feel comfortable around, had a decent experience, and that hubs is such a pillar of strength for you. Don't we all need that? :) Women's Care is the same group my doc is in, for Polk. Cool.

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  141. Ditto on the waterworks. High five!!You did great and hugs to John for being such a great support team!!!

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  142. Virtual high five followed by a great big virtual hug! SO GLAD you followed up and found a great doctor to work with!!!!! I am breathing a great big sigh of relief for you over at this end of the country. YOU DID IT! And it will get easier now that you have had a good experience. Thank you for the follow up posting and I hope you feel comfortable letting us know how things go in the future. We are here for you!

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  143. I am just so happy for you. You have the strong, supportive team around you that you deserve.

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  144. Yay!! You ROCK!!

    I also teared up a bit reading this. So glad your experience was better this time!

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  145. Glad your visit went better this time. I hope you will feel comfortable enough with this doctor to talk about the pros and cons of taking the shots versus having a hysterectomy. I'm sure there are upsides and downsides to both. Make sure you know what to expect and how long you will need to be on the treatment or how long it will take to know if the shots are working for you. Good luck, sweetie. I'm sure you'll be fine.

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  146. Hi Jen, good on you for facing your fears!! You should check out this website for more information about endometriosis. Also I found that this forum was a huge help for me. I had a laproscopic surgery to remove most of my endo in the fall. Now I control my pain through special diet alone (no Birth control or anything). I haven't felt this good since before puberty. Only one day of mild pain and thats it. Also my advice if you do have surgery is to NOT google image the procedure. heh. Thats the one bit of advice that saved me a few panic attacks. Hope this all helps!

    J (its my first time replying so forgive me if I did the links wrong)

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  147. So glad you faced your fear and went! For the endometriosis info, there's a really helpfullivejournal community. I was diagnosed a few years ago, and the ladies there answered all my questions.

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  148. JEN! I love you! I'm so proud! I can totally relate to lady doctor problems (although mine stem from sexual abuse, not bad docs), and I've watched over you the whole time. I only wish I'd had some good advice to give, because I would have! I would've been all like "well, you might want to consider... blah blah" and it would've been impressive.

    REGARDLESS! I'm totally thrilled for you.

    Kat

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  149. WELL DONE!!!

    I can't add anything new, but you're so awesomely brave!

    Here in the UK you don't really get to choose a specialist, you're assigned a clinic, and it's random who you'll get. I've just been given an appointment in SEPTEMBER for some fertility issues, as due to new policy my GP is no longer allowed to prescribe the meds I need (even though he did it with great effect the last 2 times!). I am really annoyed about the wait, and who knows what tests they'll insist on before they'll actually prescribe what I need. It all comes down to more and more waiting! Plus I'm terrified they'll try to fob me off, you just never know how they'll behave until you get there. I'd been planning to go alone as Rich will be at work, but I'm now thinking I'll take him along for support!

    Oh, and the real kicker? The appointment is on my birthday. Fun!

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  150. YAY!!! So glad it went well for you and *Hugs!*

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  151. I'm normally a lurker but just wanted to say well done, you should be so proud of yourself :) *highfive*

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  152. VIRTUAL HIGH FIVE!!!

    I'm so glad you were able to get through it, and it sounds like you found a doctor that will listen to you and do what YOU want, and are comfortable with.

    I'm proud of you, we're all proud of you, and I wish we could have a big party where we could all hug you in person.

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  153. YaY!! So glad that this time around was a lot different and worked out for you! :D

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  154. Yay! you did the really scary thing that royally sucks. Virtual ice cream for you!

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  155. Misty eyes over here, too! I'm so glad you had a positive experience. Fingers crossed that everything continues to work out.

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  156. To mangle the lines from "THe Help": You is BRAVE, You is beautiful, YOU IS LOVED.

    John gets the "Best Hubby, EVER" award. You get a gold star for facing your fears, sharing your fears and taking the time to find a better doctor.

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  157. I'm so glad that you found a better doctor. I'm also glad that she was honest with you!
    Are you going to keep going yearly?
    I was terrified to go to the gyn too - more for modesty issues than anything else - and I always think of it as 15 minutes a year that I have to be uncomfortable. I also have a rock star doctor who makes it really easy for me. I'd say "Wham, Bam, Thank you ma'am" except that sounds REALLY wrong for a lady-bits doctor. :)
    Major props to you for conquering your fear!

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  158. I'm so glad it went well for you. I said a prayer for you yesterday that you would be calm and have a decent experience. Rachel

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  159. Jen, I am so glad that you found a good doctor, that everything went well and they made you feel comfortable. When I read about your first doctor experience I was so angry for you and just wanted to yell at someone. I get mad just thinking about what they did to you and am sorry you ever had to through it. I hope the positive experiences keep adding up!

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  160. Next time you have to get blood drawn ask for a butterfly needle, if they don't already use one. They are a smaller guage needle and tend to hurt less.

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  161. I'm so glad it went well, and that you're taking care of your health. Congratulations!!

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  162. And now a tale...

    I spent 10 years fighting pain, massive bleeding, nausea, fatigue, and a general loss of interest in the world due to endometriosis and adenomyosis only to have OB/GYN after OB/GYN tell me to basically suck it up.

    I finally found a doctor who listened to me, and she performed a full hysterectomy on me in 1998.I woke up from surgery feeling better...instantly...despite having just had major surgery - had to go abdominally and the procedure took FOUR hours - and every day since then I've thanked God I found someone who was willing to help me.

    I hope you find relief, sooner rather than later.

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  163. Oh Jen! I was thinking about you and sending you positive vibes!

    I'm so glad it went ok, even if the doctor was a bit brisk. I'd rather them be brisk and thorough then inattentive and uncaring!

    Thank you for giving us an update. I know you don't like to talk too much about your personal personal life but having the support of others who care is an amazing feeling! <3<3<3!

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  164. Aww, Jen, I am literally leaking sympathy tears of shared relief, pride and joy for you right now! I'm glad you let us know how it went. We can all finally exhale.

    And now, the Ren & Stimpy happy dance: <3happy,happy,joy,joy-happy,happy,joy,joy<3

    Andrea

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  165. Congrats Jen! I'm so proud of you and I'm glad it worked out :)

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  166. yay!! so glad you are doing ok and so proud of you for facing your fears and so proud of John for being such a wonderful supportive husband that he is. ( Between us.. I actually got choked up reading today's entry) Hugs-a-bunch : )

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  167. Jen, I am SO glad that this worked out for you. Hooray for recommendations and trusting your gut and doing research! You are literally past the worst of it all now. I wanted to reply to your facebook post when you mentioned being all upset but for some reason I wasn't able to. But I was thinking of you and said a little prayer for comfort and strength and a competent doctor. Sounds like you struck gold. Don't be ashamed of the in-office break-down; that worked to your advantage. Some doctors need to hear that their colleagues in the profession are dirtbags and see how it affects their patients!

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  168. Yay!!! You did it!! Sounds like you've got a great doc, and like you said, the worst part is behind you. *high five*

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  169. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for giving us an update. I am relieved that you found a good doctor that gave you what you needed.

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  170. YAY! I'm so glad you found a doctor who cares and who treats you with the dignity you deserve to be treated with. And double yay for John being such a wonderfully supportive hubby -- you've got a great man there, I hope you know! I can barely imagine how difficult it must have been for you to face the whole thing, but you walked through it just fine and next time will be easier since you KNOW this time that the doctor will be good to you. I'm so glad it all went well for you this time!

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  171. Awesome news! Good for you and John. May your future medical journeys be few and just as validating~

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  172. Dearest Jen;
    I don't comment very often, but I read this and CW every day, and I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you for being strong enough to do something beneficial to your health despite being afraid. You had every right to be afraid, and you did the right thing anyway. That is tremendously inspiring to me.
    <3
    -iris johnston

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  173. Reading this made me think about rising to the challenges we face in our lives. It is encouraging to read about you and how you met this challenge and, with John's help, kicked it's ass. I have some challenges to face down in my own life right now and this helps me to get up and tackle it. Thanks.

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  174. I'm so glad that you found a new doctor and had a good experience! I have been praying for you and hoping that you'd post an update! I don't do facebook, so can't follow you there. Hugs, purrs and headbutts from me and my kitties to you and yours!

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  175. So glad you found a doctor who cares. I can't imagine how tough all of this has been for you. As a surrogate I have had to give myself Lupron shots as well. It was pretty easy, especially after the first one. Though, to be honest, that stuff has never bothered me. But, I have never been through what you have either. Good luck!

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  176. ::hug:: I am so glad this was a better experience with a nicer doctor.

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  177. Congrats on making it through your appointment!

    As a nurse it breaks my heart to hear what you have been through. I wish that people skills and empathy were required courses in med school. No one should have to experience that much fear and pain on the road to getting themselves better.

    That being said, I think we are all so proud of how brave you are! I sincerely hope those days of nasty experiences are all behind you, and that you have lots of health and happiness to look forward to :)

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  178. You Go Girl! So proud of you and happy that the office visit went well.

    Sometimes it's difficult and you have to be your own advocate.

    (Big Mama Hugs), cause that's how I roll.

    Karen in East Texas (dang google not letting me log in)
    www.whenlifebites.blogspot.com

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  179. YAY!!!! I'm sooo proud of you - and John, too! I'm so glad you found a wonderful, kind, caring doctor, and have a great hubby to go with you and take care of you during the visit! Please continue to keep us updated, and know that we will all be right there supporting you and praying for you every time you need us! <3

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  180. So glad you made it to, and through, the appointment. It's so hard to face fears. I'm proud of you!

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  181. congratulations, both of you! :D

    so glad you could be brave (never doubted it) and that it was better this time (huge relief)

    -Barbara Anne

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  182. I'm so glad this doctor was so much better and that you made it through this!

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  183. High fives and hugs to you, Jen, for having the courage to go through with it. I'm SO glad things went so much better than they might have, and that you found a caring doctor! And that you have such a supportive husband by your side. Thanks for posting the updates on this topic. Please let us know before the next appt so I can remember to be praying for you during it!

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  184. Hugs and high fives right back atcha! I'm so happy you had a good experience. I hope that there's a little less anxiety every time you go back and that you can really build a relationship with this doctor.

    Again, good job!

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  185. Congratulations, Jen! As was posted before, there are good eggs, and there are bad eggs. Seems like you found a good one here.

    Much love and support,
    Lady Macbeth

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  186. Thanks for the update, Jen. I'd been anxious to hear how it went. I'm so glad you found a good doctor and the visit went pretty well. Don't be embarrassed about having nerves over it. And good for you for insisting on getting your questions and concerns in. I'm hoping the best for the results.

    But I don't know if I can keep reading about how wonderful John is, as it makes me that much sadder that I don't have one. :(

    PS: I think the commenter above might be onto something with the PTSD. Perhaps some help for that is in order too.

    High fives and big hugs!

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  187. good for you! I go to the other location of the same company. They were really great when i was preggo. (my 4 month old is eating while sitting on my lap)

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  188. I am so very glad that everything went okay!!!

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  189. YAY! I am SOO glad!! I knew you could do it!

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  190. Oh Jen, I'm so glad it went better this time...I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you...and John for holding you hand :) I think this calls for virtual double high fives and a hug!

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