Saturday, April 12, 2008

Home again, home again...

jiggity jig. Only I went on vacation to *become* a fat pig, rather than to *buy* a fat pig. We had a wonderful, whirlwind, exhausting trip to Florida to visit with both my family and Mr. Whoo's family. Bean had sufficiently recovered from the pox to be his normal, sweetheart self, and I think this is the first time that CindyLou actually could appreciate being on vacation. We beached, we swam, we went to kid-friendly museums, went to the river to fish, and we ate...and ate...and ate! Having to drive long distances with an 8 month old and a nearly-4-year old was, erm, challenging, at times. However, I don't know how our parents did it without today's modern conveniences like DVD players. Mr. Whoo and I actually did our best to break out the DVDs as a last resort. We played the license plate game (Mr. Whoo and I) and I Spy with CindyLou, and she really enjoyed it. A steady supply of Gold.fish crackers for CindyLou, and an arsenal of new and interesting toys to play with for (backward-facing) Bean kept me quite busy. Oh, and pumping in the car to be able to make fresh bottles for the Bean was quite a joy, as well. I'm sure some truckers got a really good look at the girls at a few points. Tres exciting for them, I am certain. Ha. Weight gain verdict...6 lbs for me 8 lbs for Mr. Whoo. Time to consider to think about maybe at some point trying to exercise. Mr. Whoo and I have made a commitment (after seeing my mother's house and all the food that she hoards) to do our best to clear out our freezer and pantry and to only buy essential perishables. We are so bad about holding on to food, then buying more.

We've been back for a week. Of course I paid in spades at work for being on vacation with a really booked office schedule and a rash of deliveries the moment I arrived back in town. Not a single one of my patients delivered while we were on vacation! I am, of course, on call this weekend. Unfortunately, my day started with having to tell a forty-something patient that she has at least stage III cervical cancer (hydronephrosis). It is really terrible, but she hasn't had a pap or pelvic in over 10 years. It is so frustrating to see an advanced cancer that may have been prevented with routine screening. It is my 3rd cervical cancer that I have diagnosed this year, all were due to delaying routine screening. Go get your annual exams, ladies, you don't want to get the kind of news I had to give this family today. I am also in the midst of compiling my oral board list, re-applying for hospital privileges, and had to bring home patient charts to write since I was so busy in the office this week. Oh, I also need to dictate. And we haven't unpacked yet (!) But, for now, the sun is shining, the trees are in bloom, and my family and I are going to sit on the patio and grill lunch...and then go run to work it off, that's the ticket! Have a happy weekend!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could you write about cervical cancer? What are the signs and symptoms? You OB's see the cervix, we usually don't, and I know you do the paps. Anything a doctor would pause if they saw or felt? It might be an interesting post on what medicine knows about cervical cancer (the hpv vaccine and all) and prevention, detection, treatment...etc. Of course, maybe a healthy link would be better so you don't have to write it all.

Glad you had a good trip.

Blessings!
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Long time reader, first time commenter. I just read this post, and really wanted you to see a trailer for this documentary film about making the pelvic exam a less anxiety-producing/painful thing for women. I think most women would go every year, were it not for the fact that it usually ends up being "bad pelvic exam". I have endometriosis, and always end up doubled over crying with cramps for the next day or two. I hate pelvics.

www.atyourcervixmovie.com

You should check out the trailer. I think it looks awesome. I am a paramedic getting ready to take my MCAT this summer, hoping for OB/GYN in the future.

Margaret Polaneczky, MD (aka TBTAM) said...

Sounds like a great vacation.

So upsetting to hear about the cervical cancers. And incredibly frustrating when something as simple as a pap smear would have saved them so much pain.

Anonymous said...

Glad you got away for a while. A little rest, sun and sand on your toes is what you needed to get over that nasty ear thing. Hope all goes well with boards. Ugh!

CNH said...

SUCH a good reminder. While discussing postpartum care with my midwife on Monday (the twins are still inside, I was just asking questions! 34 weeks Friday!!!!) I realized it's been over 4 years since I've had one (insert hand slap here). It's easy to just forget...

Anonymous said...

Glad you enjoyed the vacation! My wife and I are actively trying to decide where we want to go this summer... Hopefully soemplace that won't cause us to gain a lot of weight will come up!

Trope said...

Hm, this is OT for comments and I don't see your email address on the page. Thank heavens for screened posts. This is odd but it's worth a shot.

I'm a health educator doing a birds&bees class for 6th grade, and one of my students wants to know if a woman could get stretch marks on her uterus. Not her abdomen, but ON the uterus. It was asked in the spirit of scientific curiosity and I have NO idea... do you have any ideas on sources? Ever seen stretch marks on a uterus?