I realise this is the first time I’ve blogged for what seems
like forever – but eh – wayyyy too many things have been going on mind wise to
even contemplate blogging!!
Thankfully the light at the end of my tunnel is shining brightly and for the
first time in nearly 16yrs I am hoping an Operation I’ve just had means the
past *issues* have truly come to an end.
I am also writing this blog as a warning to other women –
because what I ended up with can occur given certain circumstances – so please read, and
always get your Iron levels checked – even if you are having what you think may
be enough Iron in your diet….think again!...especially if you are still of menstruating age.
To start - I’ll give
you a brief run-down of what I’m talking about.
I suffered from certain *Women’s Issues* from the age of
about 21, and badly too – but alas even though I was placed on certain Iron
supplements and took them religiously… things did not abate.
I might also add – I am not a meat eater – as the thought of eating an animal turns my
stomach….but I’m not totally vegan either..
Having my two kids didn’t change the status quo for me either. In fact after some time – it got heaps worse
to the point of not being far off deaths door at age 39 and having to have a
full Hysterectomy as they discovered I had Acute Menorrhagia together with very
large Fibroids attached to the main artery of the Uterus.
I had virtually suffered from Chronic Anaemia for the best
part of those near 20yrs – but – unbeknownst to me – another 16yrs would go by
before the full impact of what that time span caused would be found.
So – coming right up to the present day – on Thursday just
gone I underwent a small Op for them to remove what is known as an Oesophageal
Web – which basically is like a *net* growth that develops from the side of the
Oesophagus and restricts swallowing.
It is better known as Pinter Vinson Syndrome. These webs are associated with *Chronic long
term Anaemia*….which is what I had all those years before. And even though my last blood tests showed
good Iron levels – my Doctors have deduced that this web has been present for
at least the past 20yrs and slowly growing.
Which I could quite happily concur with - given the way my ability to
eat and swallow food had become severely impaired over time, to the point where
I’ve basically been living on vitamised foods for the past 3~5yrs….not fun I
can assure you!
This condition also brought up an array of dilemmas for me –
especially Social situations. Going out
for a *meal* I’d almost panic – especially if there wasn’t anything on the menu
easy for me to have – then I basically wouldn’t go or I’d make up an excuse not
to go…and so this situation went on..
I might add – I am not Anorexic – nor am I Bulimic…far from
it… I know I’m pencil thin – I know I
need to put weight on and I want to put weight on, having boobs and a butt again would be nice!..lol
Swallowing food was
a genuine issue for me… Choking and
gagging on food is not a thing I love…it’s the pits!
This was not a psychosomatic thing – this was a real thing –
a growth that developed because of a set of inter-related things that given the
information I now have….wish I’d overcome the chicken in me and had what I’ve
just had done quite a few years ago when I first went and saw about it…but I
didn’t.
I let other situations come in and dictate things – and basically
kept putting it off…making one excuse after the other not to get it seen to
earlier..
The worst part of what I’ve just been through was before the
actual op – they had said they would be testing for Throat Cancer. I can honestly say – those words resonated in
my ears for days!...
The prospect of being told that it was in fact cancer was
doing my head in – and the thought processes were going off the dial to say the
least! The thought of not being around to watch my
gorgeous little grandson grow up and not being there for my kids and family and
friends really was such an overwhelming thing to go through.
Being told I may be dying wasn’t sitting well at all and was
not something I was prepared to face just yet!
Thankfully the op went well – I do have a hard time with Anaesthetics
and after effects - but they will go away over the coming days – the main thing
was being told – THERE IS NO CANCER!!..
YES!!!!!!!! THANK GOODNESS!!
The web was rather large – and alas the surgeon had a hard
time getting the equipment down my throat – so now I feel like I’m swallowing
razor-blades and nails…but I can no longer *feel* the obstruction in my throat!...Gotta love that!!
It will take a few weeks to heal properly internally – and all
I can say is – I’m looking forward to the road to recovery and being able to
eat properly again in time….
So please!!....do get yourself checked out regularly for
your Iron levels – and if you do suffer from similar types of issues I did –
insist on getting things further investigated… above all – enjoy life – we only
have one time at it… ♥
