Be Your Own Advocate

I have just undergone surgery to remove my spleen due to a mass found it while doctors were actually looking at gallbladder. Six years ago the 'mass' was seen but doctors said it was a hemangioma. I can only say that I was in utter shock to learn that this mass had grown and was not a hemangioma. The point of this blog is to reach others who are going through health problems and doctors cannot figure out the problem. I have been chastized by medical staff for looking on the internet researching but honestly, it is one of the best tools we have next to the library for finding out about other medical information. You must however have an open mind, not jump to conclusions but arm yourself with all of the information for knowledge.

My doctor's thought all along that there was nothing to worry about, unfortunately, they were wrong. I sit here a week after surgery waiting on pathology reports from the lab praying that the mass was benign. Luckily I was having extreme nausea and fullness (thinking it was gallbladder). One doctor said that this would not be from the mass but the other said that it could be from the enlarged spleen and mass.

When you are going through continual health issues and the doctors cannot find what is wrong, do your own research thoroughly. Find out everything you can.  We must realize that doctors are not God's and only know what they have learned in their practices. Most I believe do not think 'outside the box' probably because they see the same things over and over. They are human after all, however it is quite a shame to go years with a problem and never be accurately diagnosed. For years I had pain in the extremities like a sunburn and it wasn't until an outbreak of bumps on the thighs and hand that it was determined I get reoccuring herpes. I also had a twitch for years that no one could diagnosis.  This twitch after becoming so annoying on my left side, was guessed by an internal med doctor as being a back problem. I finally said ENOUGH!  I went to a neurgologist and she diagnosed it as Dystonia. 

So, do your homework, ask questions and more questions, see a different doctor and hopefully you will find your diagnosis.  NEVER give up!