I'm OK.

I had some fantastic news today.

At the start of the year I went for my routine annual check up. You know, the pap smear, blood tests for cholesterol, and sugars, and anything else they can think of. But this time, when the blood work came back, I got a call back from the doctor. Well no one likes that feeling when the doctor calls you. It seemed serious, and I had to go back as soon as possible.

My blood work showed that my ANA inflammatory markers where very high, and this was not good. So for the next 4 weeks I had repeat blood work done. Each one showing no improvement. Of course I didn't make a huge deal of it. Why worry everyone, when we didn't know what it was. I gave hubby the more uplifting story, and that was as much for me as it was for him.The doctor wanted to rule out my cold as the cause anyway. It was just my cold affecting results. Yes, that's it, must be. Just a cold I thought. It wasn't. So that is when she got very serious, and said that I had to go see a specialist, as there was no more that she could do, and we had to work out why this was happening. 

I can tell you, her round-a-about behavior was scaring me. She kept saying it could be a few things, and none of them sounded good. So off to the hospital I go. Mind you, this took about 3 months. I don't have private hospital cover. 

Again, blood work was needed, X-rays, and an MRI scan, to add to my other scans of my back.

I was told that they had to rule out anything nasty. We all knew my back was inflamed, and caused pain, but they didn't think this was the cause of my ANA markers.

What they were looking for was bone cancer, infection of the spine, Lupus, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

To say I spent the last 9 months having this in the back of my mind was scary. Each time I woke up with pain, or off colour, I wondered if this was just my back condition or something much more serious?? 

Then a week ago I read an interesting article on PCOS, and how it can cause inflammation  and can been picked up in a blood test via an increased ANA inflammatory marker result. It is another way doctors can check to see if you have it.

Bingo, I thought. That must be it. I have PCOS, the doctor knows this. I wondered why she didn't link the two?? Anyway, I was all ready with my questions today, for when I met the specialist, but I didn't need to say anything. I just listened while he confirm my self diagnosis.

You can not believe the smile we both shared, when he said, you don't have CANCER. I have issues yes, but it's just old age, and the fact that I injured my back makes it worse. Nothing that will kill me. Just something I will have to live with.

To celebrated I took myself off for an early birthday present, and treated myself to my first foot spa at a salon. I thought I was worth it! My poor feet got rubbed, and clipped, and all the old skin removed, and my toe nails look fantastic in a bright shiny  dark PINK! They look so pretty.

I am so grateful for everything I have. I may not own my own home, or have a huge amounts of money, or a new car, but I have three miracle kids, and a wonderful husband, two cute kittens, and a few very good friends. (You know who you are) I'd say I have much to be happy for.

So this old chook is going to keep on smiling. For I am not dying today, and I have much to live for!  ^_^