h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yesterday I got a letter from the MRI people to tell me I'd missed my appointment and would I like to reschedule?! I did, explaining that I hadn't received the notification for the appointment in the first place. They sounded like this happens a lot and gave me no hassle for the appointment, which is now on the 16th of March.

The second set of drugs seems to have kicked in somewhat so the tremblies are reduced somewhat, but when I get up in the morning I can never tell what the form will be each day, which makes it awkward to live around. I'm also very fatigued usually, need lots of sleep and naps and stuff and stairs are a complete no-no if they're more than one flight.

So. The thing is a benign tumour on an adrenal gland, disrupting all my hormones and messing with my potassium uptake. I never knew this before January, but apparently potassium is one of the most important vitamins you can have, along with iron and vitamin c. And all the others, obviously. Ehh. I think my point is that all vitamins are important and you should try and have all of them

Some of the tests I had done in September (and never got the results for because my follow up appointment is later this month!) turned out to have shown some abnormalities already and me being sick in September was another symptom. But because I was sent to my GP rather than to A&E, they didn't catch it then.

Once the tumour is located on an MRI I'm told it will be removed at a later date via keyhole surgery, which is proving to be a bit of a sticking point for me. I want the thing OUT, but I also want to complete this last term at school and have my holiday and surgery is incompatible with those goals.

Right. Off to make a model garden. Wish me luck, there's pins involved.

Just watched 'Addicted to Surrogacy' on Channel4.

It was interesting. The surrogates come across a lot better than the new parents, in some ways.

I'm not really sure what else to think. Mostly I'm glad that as far I know at this point in time we are hopeful that once the tumour is out my body will recover and I should be able to have children myself.

Just waiting for the MRI and then the surgery, hoping that the timing won't completely ruin my last term at school.

Hope the timings work out as you'd like but more than anything I am glad that the source of your troubles has been found and is treatable. Thanks for keeping us internet weirdos up to date

Had the MRI today. Easy-peasy really, now just to wait until the consultant wants to see me to discuss the future.

Hi, ismarah - I've been lurking around here after what you said in PC's thread, hope you don't mind!

I'm glad they figured out what it is - treatment seems to be fairly straightforward

But it's odd because that's basically the same thing they've been threatening me with - some kind of benign tumour or other abnormality on the adrenal glands - and my symptoms are *completely* different. I've never had blood pressure problems at all, but my immune system is malfunctioning and I'm basically going through puberty again.

But my GP said that my current hypersensitivity to certain things (like nearly all antibiotics) is probably caused by that, too - so hopefully, you'll get rid of some of your allergies, too!

Of course I don't mind!

I'm kind of out of the closet on the whole tumour thing now that it's been confirmed.

Adrenal glands are HUGELY important and if you ever want to compare symptoms in private, I'm on Facebook as one of PCs friends - I'm sure you'll figure out which one!

In a way, I've been lucky. Going to the A&E / ER was the best thing that happened to me although I hate spending time in hospital. The GP ignored me and until I was obviously seriously ill that just carried on.

The description was so less than lovely today - apparently it's a 'blob' and I'm being sent to a specialist in London, although they did say I could finish my year at school before dealing with it.

At least you're closer to being rid of it! Good luck I suppose their willingness to wait is a good sign, though you should go back to the hospital if it bothers you too much.

(And I'm not on Facebook, sorry.)