Redemption's Heart - pieces of my story

“We Found a Mass.”

Deana11 Comments

 There are words a woman wants to hear and words a woman doesn’t.  “We found a mass,” definitely falls into the does not want to hear category. And yet, those are the very words my husband and I heard at Southcrest Hospital on Easter Morning.

My family and I had planned on spending Easter with my Dad. Instead we wound up leaving church early because I had gotten very ill, very suddenly.  My plan was to ride it out and hope the feeling passed and when it didn’t, I let Jeff take me to the hospital.

I didn’t want to go to the Hospital. I wanted to be home serving Easter dinner. I’d spent all day Saturday cooking for both the people at Ablaze who’d helped with our Egg Hunt, and for our family on Sunday. I hadn’t finished cleaning everything up yet and I wanted to be at home cleaning that up before my Dad came over.  My son was home from college for the weekend, I wanted to be with him, enjoying our time together. I didn’t want to be tired, and in an emergency room waiting on test results.

I’ve been having strange symptoms for a few months now. Mood swings, stomach pain, horrible monthly cycles, and my Dr and I had concluded that I was in early menopause. The thought that maybe I’m depressed had crossed my mind as well, even though it didn’t really seem to fit everything else. Secretly, I was afraid I was going crazy.

The good news is:

I’m not depressed — I really am tired from all the blood loss and whatnot.

I’m not crazy.

I’m not in menopause.

The not-so-great news is, I have a mass in my uterus that is 5x8x10 cm. (about the size of a small orange perhaps.) that is causing all these erratic symptoms.

An unwelcome intruder has been the cause of my distress.

I talk to my regular doctor today and we’ll get the appropriate referrals to a gynecologist. I’ve already self diagnosed this puppy as a fibroid. Those are simple to fix and are not uncommon in women my age.

Even more important than my self diagnosis and stupid jokes I’ve been telling for a day now about errant Easter Eggs, is the phone message I received this morning. A beloved friend called via phone tree and spoke about Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans not to harm you, but for a future and a hope.”

God has a plan for me, and for my family, and for you my readers. His plans are always better than mine.

My plan, was to be in church, have dinner with my family, and just enjoy the day. His plan involved my getting so sick I had to go to the hospital. Without my getting sick, I wouldn’t know about the mass and wouldn’t be receiving proper medical treatment. His hand is on this, on my family, and on me — praying you see His hand on your day as well.

This post written by Deana O’Hara for Redemption’s Heart. All rights reserved.

11 thoughts on ““We Found a Mass.””

  1. Oh wow Maria, I can understand scared. I was too. Mine turned out to be a non cancerous fibriod. Considering that your biopsy came back normal, I’d say your’s is probably the same thing. Mine was really too large to treat and I chose to have a hysterectomy. At your age and with the smaller size there are many other options. They can be surgically removed, or cauterized. I also think there is a way to stop the blood flow to it and essentially kill it. I wouldn’t worry too much. Fibroids are actually quite common. And if you don’t feel comfortable with what your doctor is telling you, by all means get a second opinion. — Write back and let me know how it goes, okay?

    Like

    Reply

  2. Hi im looking for help im 21 ive had a miscarriage in feb. An im still spotting i finally got the dr to look into it an she did a biopsy on my uterus an came back normal well the nurse called me today an said its a mass about a inch an a half long an to call on thursday to speak to the dr…but idk im scared i havnt had any kids an i want to so what should i be expecting to hear?

    Like

    Reply

  5. thanks you guys. Jeff was joking with me last night about my coping skills, thought maybe I should blog on those… ie.. We’ve named it “Georgetta” and I threatened to make a sock puppet etc…

    all jokes.

    I drive by the cancer center several times a day. I almost lost it. Obsessive compulsive types like me should not be allowed to Google. Scared myself stupid by doing that.

    Like

    Reply

  6. Momma T has it right; God does have a plan for you. I am thankful that you have trust in the ultimate healer. And by the way, I just want to say that I, for one, have always known deep down that you aren’t crazy…a half bubble off center, maybe, but not crazy. (Grins and giggles)
    Love you bunches. Keep us posted on what you find out.
    Rena

    Like

    Reply

  7. Sounds like a plan….even tho’ it’s not the plan YOU planned. I love that you laugh so much and so easily. God bless and heal you and use the time in between to rest and receive; yes….. allow others the blessing of filling your cup. We know “it’s more blessed to give than receive”, but y’know it can also be EASIER sometimes when giving is such a part of your make-up as it is for YOU Deana. We’ll be praying. Love, Chery

    Like

    Reply

  8. It seems that God also had a plan for the doctors whose vocations are but a mask of His gifts yesterday as well; to diagnose you so that you might be treated!

    Me and my missus will keep you and the whole family in our prayers!

    For what it’s worth… I like the Easter egg joke.

    Like

    Reply

    • Thanks Frank. The doctors were really nice and the hospital was pretty calm when we go there. I only spent maybe three hours there.. not bad. Now, we wait for the referral to be approved and for next steps.

      Like

      Reply

  9. Dear Deana, Why is it that we as women just keep plugging along and push our needs aside to do for others. I did that when I was your age along time ago. My mass was fibroid and I let it go so long that it was 2 pounds I was on Weight Watchers at the time and had lost 70 lbs and still looked 2 months pregnant then I got extremely ill and I could push it off no longer. I had to have a complete hysterectomy (which let me tell you is the greatest thing).

    I am glad God directed you to the hospital. He know what is important for us. There will be more Easter dinners for you to prepare later on. Let us take care of you now.

    Oh by the way my doctor told me not to vaccum,sweep or mop after my hysterectomy and I haven’t for 21 years now! LOL. Will be praying! Love ya Mary

    Like

    Reply

    • Thanks Mary. Finding this thing, also explains why my blood pressure jumped last year. My Dr put me on meds to control it, and it’s worked, but I hate taking bp meds at my age.

      I’m just really happy to know I’m not crazy. That one bugged me for a long time.

      I’m really looking forward to getting this taken care of and feeling good again. Jeff did not like my Easter Egg joke. ;-D But that is how I cope, I tell stupid jokes.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment