The start of it all...off to the ER
Disclaimer-Some of these writings may become graphic and discuss mature issues, if you can not handle those issues, stop reading now.
Upon placing the allograft (cadaver bone), I started to notice skin sensitivities and rashes that I had never had before. Upon using a sanitary pad, my skin in that area then burned and blistered and was very painful. I was also still experiencing the pelvic pain that I had been telling the Dr about for months that was getting more severe, and now felt like I was sitting on a tennis ball. So off to the ER I went. January 2014
They immediately did a pelvic exam and a CT of the pelvis. I lost my dignity this day, and this was only the beginning of a very long road of what I would never get back. I was embarrassed, I had burns and blisters in my "private area" with a male physician that couldnt have been more than 25 years old looking at me. The adhesive from the sanitary pad had burned me. But why? I had never been allergic before? I had went to the ER alone, giving Phil a break from all my medical issues. I was sitting on the bed when two physicians came in and sat down, closed the curtain. They had the results of my CT scan. They asked me if anyone had ever told me I had Chondrosarcoma of the Pelvis. She explained it is cancer of the cartilage. No, I have never been told this. She said I needed to follow up with an oncologist. So, I left there, and made a phone call to Cancer Treatment Center of AZ, they got me in within a couple days. My pain in the pelvis was worsening. In my mind, what else could it be? The pain was so excruciating.
My intake appointment was a blessing in disguise. It was with a GI oncologist. I discussed my pain. The first thing he did was an Abdominal xray (KUB). They also got me in with their pain management team, which I am forever grateful for to this day. They had me consult with a neurosurgeon at St Joes to rule out the Chondrosarcoma diagnosis. Remember, my surgeon had several xrays of this same area and NEVER said a word to me. Although it showed the same thing. Very apparent to the average eye (I will post the X-ray photo) Immediately I was contacted and told I had a bowel impaction which could be causing some of my pain. The Dr told me what to do over the counter and if that did not work I was scheduled for a procedure in just a couple days. I was a whirlwind of emotions. I didn't know if I had cancer, I was in excruciating pain, I had just had an unsuccessful surgery, I had just returned to work on a new team with an unsupported supervisor. Let me tell you about that too..
So all of this is going on above, I went into work the next day, as I had just returned to work full time after being off on short term disability for 5 months (from surgery). I am fearful, sad, exhausted, hopeful, in pain, and just trying to live minute by minute at this point. I went in to talk to my supervisor, and she put her hands up in the air and said "Lori, I dont have time for this right now"! I have never been treated so low in my 11 years with that company. I went directly to my car, called my husband, and the tears flowed uncontrollably. The next day he wrote me a kind note on a post-it (encouraging me to get through those rough work days), I still have it to this day. My heart hurt. It was unkind, I was fragile, but that was just inhumane and down right cruel. She knew what I was going through. Who would say something so hurtful? I just wanted my old supervisor back. And guess what..Within a couple months my prayers were answered. But with that cake my old territory of Wickenburg which meant hours of driving daily.
Upon placing the allograft (cadaver bone), I started to notice skin sensitivities and rashes that I had never had before. Upon using a sanitary pad, my skin in that area then burned and blistered and was very painful. I was also still experiencing the pelvic pain that I had been telling the Dr about for months that was getting more severe, and now felt like I was sitting on a tennis ball. So off to the ER I went. January 2014
They immediately did a pelvic exam and a CT of the pelvis. I lost my dignity this day, and this was only the beginning of a very long road of what I would never get back. I was embarrassed, I had burns and blisters in my "private area" with a male physician that couldnt have been more than 25 years old looking at me. The adhesive from the sanitary pad had burned me. But why? I had never been allergic before? I had went to the ER alone, giving Phil a break from all my medical issues. I was sitting on the bed when two physicians came in and sat down, closed the curtain. They had the results of my CT scan. They asked me if anyone had ever told me I had Chondrosarcoma of the Pelvis. She explained it is cancer of the cartilage. No, I have never been told this. She said I needed to follow up with an oncologist. So, I left there, and made a phone call to Cancer Treatment Center of AZ, they got me in within a couple days. My pain in the pelvis was worsening. In my mind, what else could it be? The pain was so excruciating.
My intake appointment was a blessing in disguise. It was with a GI oncologist. I discussed my pain. The first thing he did was an Abdominal xray (KUB). They also got me in with their pain management team, which I am forever grateful for to this day. They had me consult with a neurosurgeon at St Joes to rule out the Chondrosarcoma diagnosis. Remember, my surgeon had several xrays of this same area and NEVER said a word to me. Although it showed the same thing. Very apparent to the average eye (I will post the X-ray photo) Immediately I was contacted and told I had a bowel impaction which could be causing some of my pain. The Dr told me what to do over the counter and if that did not work I was scheduled for a procedure in just a couple days. I was a whirlwind of emotions. I didn't know if I had cancer, I was in excruciating pain, I had just had an unsuccessful surgery, I had just returned to work on a new team with an unsupported supervisor. Let me tell you about that too..
So all of this is going on above, I went into work the next day, as I had just returned to work full time after being off on short term disability for 5 months (from surgery). I am fearful, sad, exhausted, hopeful, in pain, and just trying to live minute by minute at this point. I went in to talk to my supervisor, and she put her hands up in the air and said "Lori, I dont have time for this right now"! I have never been treated so low in my 11 years with that company. I went directly to my car, called my husband, and the tears flowed uncontrollably. The next day he wrote me a kind note on a post-it (encouraging me to get through those rough work days), I still have it to this day. My heart hurt. It was unkind, I was fragile, but that was just inhumane and down right cruel. She knew what I was going through. Who would say something so hurtful? I just wanted my old supervisor back. And guess what..Within a couple months my prayers were answered. But with that cake my old territory of Wickenburg which meant hours of driving daily.
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