The scariest week of my life...

well, maybe less than a week. Remember in the last post I mentioned that I had been to the ER and then rudely refused to tell you why? I will now make up for that meanness. Let's see to set the scene...about a month ago, I began having severe pain in my lower abdomen. And, typically for me, I attempted to ignore it for as long as I could. After about 4 days I broke down and went in to see a doc at student health services. (several funny side stories there, but you will have to ask to hear those.) Long story short, the doc ordered an ultrasound which confirmed a couple of cysts on one of my ovaries. Actually, they told me there was one cyst... and referred me to a gynecologist. (yippee skippee) They gave me the results on the friday of the show, but it was too late to try to start scheduling any appointments that day. So, the health services doc informed me if the pain got worse to go to the ER. Which is why I ended up in the hospital twice the weekend of the show.



The second ER visit they did another ultrasound which they told me showed that the cyst had ruptured and I should be starting to feel better. Did I mention the intense amounts of pain that was occurring in my body? I managed to get an appointment with a wonderful Dr. a couple of days later. I met with her, and we discussed the joys of ovarian cysts. We also did a routine pap smear. (Ladies, you know how fun those are.) She informed me that there were indeed at least 2 cysts present, and neither one had ruptured. We discussed the options, and decided to try the conservative route to begin with. This meant hormones (which don't agree with me) for a few months in the hopes that my body would fix it all on his own.

A few days later, the pain had amplified to the point where I was struggling to handle the pain, even with medication help. (Keep in mind, I had been on painkillers since the first visit to the ER.) I called the Dr, and asked what other options we had. We set up a time for a laparoscopic cystectomy (removal of the cysts surgically.) I had my pre op appt where I learned the astronomical price of this surgery, and since I don't have the best insurance, I had to decide if I wanted to go ahead with the surgery. (I did)

The next day, (Thursday) as I got out of class, I had a message to call the dr office. I returned the call, and was informed that the pap smear results had come back, showing an abnormal result which had elevated levels of precancerous indicators. (Yes, the thoughts and feelings that just ran through your mind ran through mine as well.) The lab had already ordered additional testing, which is standard operating procedure for abnormal result. (I should probably inject here that I had an abnormal pap smear a few years ago, but lost my insurance shortly after, therefore I never went back in to recheck.) All of this was cause for concern. As a result, the dr decided to postpone the surgery until we sorted out all that was going on. In the scope of things concerning, cysts are fairly low on the totem pole compared to what we were testing for.

The following day (friday) I got the results from one test...the HPV test. Negative! whew! Until I learned that there have been false negatives before. And knowing that they were still running additional tests. This began one of the most emotional and hardest weekends of my life to date. I called my parents and those I consider my family. I freaked out, I cried, I threw up (nothing new, that has been happening since the cysts started bothering me.) I continued to go to class, take midterms, write papers, go to work and try to keep myself otherwise occupied.

(Another side note I got an A- on the midterm I took on Friday...yay!) I made it to church for sacrament meeting, where I tried to look better than I actually felt. Apparently it worked, and didn't hurt that I am currently fitting into clothes that I haven't been able to wear for 2 years. yay for looking amazing but feeling like crap!

And the weekend continued on those lines until today (well, yesterday...Tuesday) when I finally got the rest of the tests results. ALL NEGATIVE. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my mind. I am still experiencing pain, but given the alternative, I can handle this. Kind of ironic, as today was the day I was initially scheduled for surgery.

So here is the plan from here on out. I will be on hormones for the next couple of months to prevent ovulation which in turn should prevent more cysts from forming. As for the ones that are already there, we will be waiting a month, and continuing to pray that my body will reabsorb the cysts on its own. If the pain has not abated during this coming month, then surgery is back on the agenda. And we will do a repeat pap smear with all additional tests again in 6 months.

I want to briefly take a moment and thank all of you for your many wonderful, kind thoughts and words to me in the past month. I greatly appreciate all of the prayers that I know went out on my behalf. I know The Lord has a plan for me, even though I do not know what that plan is. Here's to hoping the pain will subside and I can return to being my usual crazy self!

Playing Catch-up

Whew!! I feel like my life has been a whirlwind for the past few weeks. Let me give you just a glimpse...come back with me to the week the show opened (let's begin on April 12).

Monday...school and then 2 dress rehearsals. Tuesday, school then dress rehearsal. Wednesday, school, then final dress rehearsal. Thursday, school then opening nite for one cast (they did AMAZING!) Friday, school then opening nite for the other cast (who did SUPER!) Saturday (hold on to your hats this is where is gets fun...) two shows, followed by a visit to the ER *which I will address more a little later*. Technically that carries us through to sunday morning, but who is really paying attention to what day it is at this point? Sunday, I cancelled everything and spent the day in bed. Didn't help, since I ended up back in the ER sunday nite. Monday morning, Collaborative Inquiry at the high school (yes, it was optional, no I really didn't need to go, other than to prove to myself that I wasn't dying and still capable of being human.) Slept most of the day monday, then had closing show for one cast (still doing a wonderful job.) Tuesday, doctor appt, then rehearsal with Athey Creek MS choirs, then closing show for the other cast, followed by set strike (which I didn't do much of). Wednesday, accompany Athey Creek MS choirs for choir festival, then sleep, then book club. Thursday, slept for much of the day, cast party, then hung out at home. Friday, took it easy, worked on homework from the week of classes that I missed, worked on my presentation for Stake Women's conference, managed for the first time in about 1 1/2 weeks to eat something without throwing it back up! (yay! take pleasure in the small victories, I say). Then Saturday (yesterday) presented a class on Blogging for Stake Women's Conference. After which I promptly came home and spent the remainder of the day on the couch.

WHEW!! Does that make you tired? Cuz it sure does me! Add in there not really sleeping well and not being able to eat much of anything and you have one really tired, sore, and grouchy Megan. So today will be dedicated to doing the remainder of the homework that I didn't get done, attending my beautiful sister's choir concert (if I am not too drugged to drive) and trying to get ready for the rest of this week!

I know I promised you an explanation of the ER visits and being sick, but unfortunately, I am going to ask you to wait another week until I have completed all the medical stuff. I know it's not fair, but there you go.

and btw, I totally just realized I made a super catchy title for this post! Since all I have been doing is play stuff, and catching up on stuff I missed!! Get it? Teehee! Sometimes I am too clever for my own good.

I must put in one final word about Beauty and the Beast. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the kids on this show. I was continually amazed watching these talented young people! I made some wonderful connections, which I hope will continue. Mostly, this experience just helped solidify in my mind that I am doing the right thing in going back to school. (yes, you have my permission to refer me to this post when I question why I am back in school.)

Alright, it's time for meds, then a nap!

The Show!!

It's here! Opening nite is Thursday April 15th. So finish your taxes and come join our wonderfully talented students as they perform this amazing musical. For tickets and info, go to

www.wlwvmsmusical.tix.com

You will not be disappointed.

Easter...and a blog about firsts (for a second time)

Happy Easter to all! I am so grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ and for the sacrifice He made for each of us here on earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ has truly been restored on the earth, and the Atonement of the Lord is a very real, powerful thing. He lives! He loves, and He will return again.

This Easter sunday finds me finishing my first week of being a full time student again. It amazed me how easy I slipped back into "student" mode. But I don't remember liking school so much. I seem to remember dreading going to class. Maybe that was because I never really did homework. Or maybe I did, but have blocked it from my memory. Oh well...moving forward, right? First day of class found me really nervous. For no reason!

This term I am taking 3 classes (yes, 3, and it constitutes full time.) I am on campus Monday through Friday, but only in the mornings. I have a great class on Hans Christian Andersen. Yes, you read that right...I get to read fairy tales for my homework. I am also taking a criminology class, Intro to Juvenile Justice. Absolutely fascinating. My final class will be a challenge, not content wise, but on the teaching style. This class will be a great exercise in holding my tongue. American Studies (university required... 'nuf said.)

I am still working with the middle school musical, WHICH I LOVE!!! These kids are so amazing! They want to work, have talent, and are just a blast to work with. Not to mention the incredibly cool women that I get to work with to make this show happen. Can I just say that I have found my calling? I am meant to be a music teacher. I realized that I am happier when I am working with the kids, and learning from them as well. They face so much in the world these days, and they seem to hold up really well.

If you are interested in witnessing this production for yourself, simply go to www.wlwvmsmusical.tix.com for tickets. They are $7.50 each, and the show will be at West Linn High School's fantastic auditorium. The show opens April 15, showing the 15th, 16th, and 17th (matinee and evening) and 19th and 20th. Come! You will not be disappointed.

Well, TTFN! I really should do some homework before I head to bed!

Spring Break, such as it is

Aaah, Spring Break! I remember as a kid I looked forward to this week so much! We would plan and plan what we would do, where we would go, trips we would take. It was just as much fun to stay at home, knowing that I didn't have to go to school for a WHOLE week. Now, as an adult, it is just another week to work. But that is all changing. Beauty and the Beast took the week off, which means that I have more time to work. Classes start at PSU on Monday, so this is my last week of semi freedom. As a result, I resigned myself to the fact that this week would be tedious and full of working lots.

But thanks to my awesome roommate Jessica, and friends Annika and Korie, I got a couple of mini spring break trips in! First up, we headed to Multnomah Falls. It was a beautiful sunny warm day, which was perfect for heading to the top. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and had to turn back around the 3/4 mark. We will just have to go back!

This is from a viewpoint about 1/2 way up the trail. Isn't the Columbia River Gorge beautiful?

The base of the falls

The four of us at the base

Next up was Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. Another beautiful warm day! It poured on the way over, but about 20 minutes after we got there, the sun broke through and cleared away the clouds!

Do you see how blue the sky is? It was amazing. Sun shining, blue sky, hardly any wind, and not very many people!

We got to Haystack at low tide, so we poked around in the tides pools for a little while. The starfish were everywhere! And they were HUGE.

How many times do you see Haystack with blue sky and hardly anyone around it?

Of course, I can't be serious all the time, so when we found this hat shop, I had to play! And yes, the hat is now mine. I figure if I can't be in Jamaica for vacation, then I will bring Jamaica with me wherever I go! Plus I have always wanted dreads, but my hairdresser won't let me get them.

Now, back to the daily grind! 'Twas a short and sweet spring break. How was yours?

Fun in the simple things

Today at work, there was a GIGANTIC empty cardboard box... and yup, you guessed it! I HAD to play in it! So, I crawled in! It was on a flat cart, and I had a coworker close the box and then push me around the store. She would stop when we were near someone, and I would shake the box and say "Let me out, Let me out!" (kinda like the kid from Mary Poppins who gets locked in the closet.) Mwahahaha!!! It was seriously the best!!

Just wanted to share.

Ahem...I have an ANNOUNCEMENT!

Yes, you read the title right.

I truly do have an announcement to make.

Bet you are wondering what it is, right?

Well, I should just tell you then!

Do you get it?

That is where I am going to school!

Yep, that's right!

After a seven year hiatus, I have decided it is time to finish my education! Therefore, I applied for, and was accepted to PSU! I will finish my undergrad in Music Education, get a teaching certificate, and then go on for my masters in Music Ed.

So watch out children of the world! Ms. Z is coming to teach you!

Thank you, that is all.