WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 2008: Re: GENERAL: anxiety over yearly exam

Re: GENERAL: anxiety over yearly exam

From: Robin (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:48:25 -0500 (CDT)

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Reply: Ann: "Re: GENERAL: anxiety over yearly exam"

Ann,

When I was 9 years old, I had to have my appendix removed. It is a very long story, so I will try and give the short version.

My mother took me to the pediatrician due to symptoms of appendicitis. He then sent me to a surgeon based on the results of my blood work and exam. The surgeon did not believe me, however he gave my mother an Rx for Tylenol #2 for the pain (nothing wrong yet he is giving me pain medicine..at age 9?!?!?). Anyway, things did not improve and one evening after trying to eat dinner, I became very sick. I was taken to the ER where my Pediatrician called in the surgeon (this time it was the partner of the jerk). He was great. He told my parents my appendix needed to be removed the next morning! I was admitted to the hospital the next day instead of staying overnight. My appendix were removed and it was found to be on the verge of rupture!!! Okay, mistake one for the first surgeon! I was in the hospital for two weeks! Even in 1975/1976, that was a long time for an appendectomy! Anyway, my white count was through the roof and I had a fever of 104. The old surgeon, back on the scene as the surgeon who removed my appendix was out of the country, tells my parents nothing is wrong with me and he didn't know why the Pediatrician was making me stay. My parents told him he was either going ot figure out the problem as there was definitely something wrong even if he didn't think, or they were moving me to Children Hosp in Philadephia. This is where it gets bad....He came in my room with four nurses...one nurse at each limb to hold me down while he proceeded to pull my incision apart..no pain medication, anesthesia...NOTHING! I had peritonitis!!!

All of that said, when it comes time for a surgery, seeing a new Dr., etc., I freak out!!! My psychologist said that has done something to me that no one would ever begin to be able to figure out. He has worked with me and I am far better. He has done something with me called EMDR. Just key that in to a search engine to read about it. It has helped me to reprocess how I look at what happened and has helped me to handle further appts., surgeries, etc.

I know how you are feeling. I've been there. You can get through this. I applaud you for talking to your Psychologist. Just as I did nothing wrong when I was 9, you did NOTHING wrong when you were 16. Please remember that!! You can, and will get through this. It may take some time, but you will!! :)

--
Robin

At Fri, 25 Apr 2008, Ann wrote:
<<snipped for room>>

>my mother shamed me for overreacting and embarrassing her.  I was 16 for
>crying out loud and the exam was totally unnecessary.
>
>Thanks to both of you for the good advice.
>

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