It's Boob Squishing Time Again

It was only a week and a half ago that I got my boobs squished. But they found a hinky spot on both breasts, so today I have to go back for a diagnostic mammogram and maybe an ultrasound as well, depending on what they find with the diagnostic mammogram. If it were just my breasts and everything else were fine, I wouldn't be worried. But I've had a low platelet count for a long time. There is a big range between high-normal and low-normal. I've been below low-normal for well over a year.

So now I'm under the care of an oncology hematologist. He ordered an ultrasound of my liver and spleen three weeks ago and the only thing they found with that test was a few gallstones. These gallstones aren't bothering me, so I plan to do nothing unless they get to be a problem. And in my latest round of blood work they found that my platelet count was up a little from the last time it was checked. Still not low-normal, but better, on the upswing, maybe. At least for the time being. I'm hoping to avoid a bone marrow test. That is the next test if my platelet count is lower next time I go in to get it checked--in three months.

So, for a relatively healthy woman with a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, and bipolar disorder, all of which require the taking of pills, I'm sort of peachy. And I plan to come back after this new boob squishing has been read, to tell you, I really am peachy.

Now the Good News

Today I had the follow-up appointment with my hematologist. I went with trepidation, since last time I saw him it seemed I was facing a bone marrow test. I've heard this is a hellaciously painful test. I also know the the diseases they're looking for are bad and worse. There is no good thing that they are likely to find when taking bone marrow, since what they're looking for are mostly autoimmune diseases that range from bad to dire.

Today they had the results of my abdominal ultrasound which showed normal spleen and liver. The only problem they found was several gall stones. I have no symptoms of gall stones--no pain, no nausea, no vomiting. And even better than that news, was the news that my platelet count is up. It's not normal yet, but it's better than it was two weeks ago.

From now on I will have an appointment with Dr Frame, my sweet, cute, friendly hematologist every three months to monitor my platelet count. This means between my once a month appointment with my internist to check my clotting factor as well as the four appointments a year with the charming Dr Frame I'll be getting the best possible care. If he ever decides I have to have my bone marrow looked at, I'll know it will be an early diagnosis and that he will make sure it hurts as little as possible.

Hooray for Medicare, the best health insurance in this country! This is the public option I hope all of you get. I have never had any test or referral challenged by Medicare.