Yesterday, I went to the hospital where I had external beam radiation for a checkup. Everything is healing well, but I had something weird happen to me the night before the appointment...
For a few days before seeing the doctor, I had a lot of bowel movements. Not constipation, not diarrhea. Since I was so sore from going and wiping, I had the bright red blood common with the frequency of those activities. No big deal. Well, the last BM I took had little blood clots in it and dark crimson blood. Not normal... at all.
My radiation oncologist told me I should see a gastroenterologist, just to be sure everything is okay. My nurse practitioner concurs. It's probably hemorrhoids or an ulcer, but they want to rule out anything "more serious". Tomorrow, I call the oncologist for a referral.
If I end up needing a colonoscopy, I need to be hooked to an IV because I can't drink enough to keep hydrated during the evacuation process.
Yet another medical issue. Yet another doctor who might not treat me well because of my fat or disabilities. Yes, it happens. I'm so tired of being "medically complex"... feeling like I'm some leaky ship too far from shore.
I have a lot of stress going on. Summer is a busy time with birthdays, meetings, the upcoming renovations, the online mentor program I'm running, updating blogs... I juggle other stuff, too. I wouldn't be surprised if stress was (again) eating holes in me. But, we can't be sure right now.
I'll keep you posted.
