Two words, endometrial biopsy.....

Well, ladies and gents, I had my second appointment today. It wasn’t my favorite experience in the world. It began very similarly to my first appointment and I can imagine the rest of them will as well. I entered through the back entrance then signed in and waited to be seen. And even though it started similarly, it was very different.

Today’s appointment started with two ultrasounds. The first one was the transabdominal, which is external. And the second one was the pelvic ultrasound, which is internal. The transabdominal ultrasound began right away. I didn't have to get undressed or prepare in any way. I lifted my shirt to expose my stomach and the technician began. Luckily, the gel they put on your stomach was warm, which is normally not the case, and that was pleasant. As the technician was doing the procedure I could see everything on a small monitor mounted on the wall. I saw my fancy ovaries wearing their pearls, of course. The second ultrasound took a little more preparation. I had to urinate into a cup to not only empty my bladder, but so they could test for pregnancy. It seems safe to say they will be doing that every visit. The pelvic ultrasound started normal, I have had one before, and its a basic procedure. She looked at my uterus, my right ovary, and then my left ovary. For some reason when she was looking at my left ovary it was painful. And that is when my discomfort began, but let me tell you it was not where it ended.

After the ultrasounds, I got dressed and it was off to see the doctor for my routine exam and pap smear. I sat on the table and could hear whispers in the hallway about my visit and the trial. Maybe this isn't as normal as I initially thought. The nurse came in and took my vitals, all good again. She explained everything we would be doing today and that the endometrial biopsy would cause some cramping, which I was warned about from family and friends. Then as she was walking out, she casually says "oh by the way the doctor has a medical school student with him today, you ok with that?". Well yea, sure. Lets let everyone learn while I am laying here naked and afraid. Haha! The doctor came in and asks if I had any questions, I say no. I was worried about the pain in my left ovary so I mentioned that but he said that the biopsy wouldn't cause any further pain in the ovary. However, since this is a clinical drug trial, he won't be reviewing the images at all. All of that gets sealed and sent to the drug company to evaluate. I am hoping if there is anything abnormal on the images they will let me know. Eeek.

So, on to the fun stuff. For the second time during the appointment, I had to get undressed. I put on the little paper cloth around my bottom half and the small open cloth top around my top half. The doctor did the breast exam, which is always awkward. Then the pap smear, and directly after the pap was the endometrial biopsy, with no warning in between I might add. When you google endometrial biopsy some sites say they spray anesthesia beforehand, nope that didn't happen. Other sites say they tell you to take over the counter pain meds 30-60 minutes beforehand, and although they did not tell me that, I was lucky enough to have a friend recommend me to do so, which ended up not helping at ALL. The good thing is it is a very quick procedure, like 30 seconds. The bad thing is it was a very intense 30 seconds. It was the most intense cramps over and over and over again. I don't even want to know what my facial expressions looked like during those 30 seconds. Ugh! It was wild!!

Today I also received my little iPhone (I think its a 5 or 6) that is used as a "diary" of sorts. I will get asked a couple of questions every night and I will use it to track my cycles. I received my debit card, which is how they pay me. They asked some questions regarding mental health and I was done. After they get the biopsy and pap smear back I will go in again and that is when I will find out if I qualify for the trial and begin taking the drug. After that damn biopsy, I better be excepted!! Oh, and a quick update on my first blog post "No shave 2020", I am allowed to shave/ pluck, just not two weeks before my next visit. I will have monthly exam visits, then weekly blood draws. So, I get to be brave and not shave for two weeks, then weak and shallow and shave directly after the exam visit. Until the next time, keeping fighting PCOS champions!