A Small Personal Update

Pullip Doll, Cute Fashion Doll, Fashion Doll

To everyone who actually read this post and left me words of encouragement, thank you so much! They meant more than you know. I was in an odd place at the time because I didn't know what was wrong with me. It started with an iron deficiency anemia diagnosis after my last routine physical. I felt fine for the most part and my doctor was trying to figure out what was causing it. I was sent to see to the gynecologist and then a gastroenterologist and when they drew blood again, my iron was still really low. So the next step was an endoscopy and colonoscopy to see what was going on inside.

TBH the thought of those exams was scary but the prep was actually worse than the procedure itself.  I'm not even talking about the stuff you have to drink to clean you out which was super gross. The low fiber diet was killing me because I'm just not used to not being able to eat a lot of vegetables and whole grains. I actually made congee with brown rice and ate a lot of yogurt leading up to my prep day. If you ever have to have this exam, getting off of solid foods earlier in the week will make your life a lot easier. So my procedure went fine. They wheeled me in and I fell asleep for what felt like five minutes to me and when I woke up, I was in recovery. My doctor came in and told me that my colonoscopy was clear and that I don't have to do this again for another ten years which is a small victory in itself. But she did find inflammation in my stomach which she biopsied because she believed that it could be an infection.

The tests came back confirming it is a bacterial infection which is causing the iron absorption issue. I'm now being treated with  an intensive protocol of antibiotics and antacids. I actually felt worse when I had vertigo but in this case it was the unknown that was throwing me for a loop because your mind just ends up wandering to bad places. It’s a relief to have a diagnosis and one that isn’t serious. I just wanted to let you know what was going on and how much I appreciate the support. Don't skip out on your routine screenings. As a best case scenario, they're meant to be preventative but in some cases, they might uncover an issue that you may not even be aware of. Our health is one of our greatest gifts which we should never take for granted.

40 comments

Doctor Anne said...

I am very happy to hear that you got a result that, though requiring treatment, isn´t life threatening. Our health is incredibly valuable, but sadly taken for granted too often.

The Dainty Dolls House said...

I'm happy some results came in and you can get better through treatment. Health is so important!! x

Gabrielle said...

I'm so happy to hear you've received your results and that it isn't life threatening; that's the most important thing. Wishing you a very speedy recovery, Rowena! :)

aglassofice.com x

R's Rue said...

Blessings.

Gemma Etc. said...

So relieved it's something that can be easily treated. I've had the procedure done too and god it was horrific, but so pleased you don't have to have another for ten years xx

GemmaEtc.com

Emmylou said...

That's so great to hear, chingu! Yay:) Thank you for the update. And I so agree about not doing routine screenings. I don't talk much about health issues on my blog, but I've done a lot of these tests the past few months. The tests are hassles but not knowing is the worst.
XOXO

Ivana Split said...

Iron deficit is often an indication of some kind of an infection. Virus infection is not good but at least it can be treated. I hope you're feeling better and managing to get your iron levels up. Take time to rest, infections can wear one down. I wish I had an iron supplement product to recommend, but I really struggle with iron supplements, I tried dozens of them and they all give me stomachache and I'm allergic to iron transfusions. I know how iron deficit can make you feel tired, I mean anemia can really cause one to feel so down. It is responsible of you to have done the colonoscopy because it is often the only way to diagnosis. People sometimes postpone or refuse gastro tests and procedures because they are so unpleasant but often that's the only way to diagnosis. I have colonoscopies as often as my doctors say I need to which is usually once or twice a year. That may sound extreme but is usually necessary for Chron disease patients because it is such a sneaky illness. As adults we are all responsible for our health and we should do our check ups regularly.

Mica said...

It sounds so scary but I'm glad they found a cause in the end and you are able to get treatment - I know how tired low iron can make you, it make everything so much harder, so I hope you are able to get your levels back up and heal quickly!

Hope that your week is going well so far and you have a nice weekend planned :)

Away From The Blue

Jenny said...

The waiting is always the scariest part, but I'm so glad to hear that they finally found the cause and that it wasn't anything life threatening! I hope you'll recover from the infection soon!

♥︎ Geeky Posh

Carolyna's world said...

Taht's great that you get the good results. I have anemia too and I am trying to keep the good level of the iron in my blood too cause I know it's serious thing.
I hope that this whole infection it's gonna be in quick time only the bad memory dear.


Have a nice weekend xx

Lilli said...

<3 send love to you my friend, you will be fine soon, stay strong. <3

Paola Lauretano said...

So happy for the results, I wish you a speedy recovery and all the best, dear Rowena!
Kisses, Paola.

Expressyourself

Rebeca Muñoz López said...

Hello dear, I just learned about your illness, I hope you recover soon with the treatment your doctor has assigned you, I think I should schedule an appointment for routine exams and see if something is wrong, I am one of the people who do not feel nothing unusual I'm not going to visit the doctor. Health is the most important and if you have to stop to recover it is a good reason, I sincerely hope that you get better soon dear Rowena. Kisses.

Olga said...

I'm so happy to hear that you're diagnosis is not that serious. I hope you will get better very soon💕
my blog addarkzja

Lena L said...

Rowena, thanks for the updates. I am very glad to hear that you've found the cause and are being treated properly. I hope you feel 100% "you" again very soon. Stay warm and have a great weekend! <3

JeannLiew | Luminnej said...

Hi Rowena,

I am glad to hear that it somewhat went well in the end, though you had to go through so much leading up to it, having not able to be yourself and keep to your usual routine ... I know how that is if I can't keep to my routine weekly walks at times too, of course, yours was way intense :( I was also going through a rough week myself here having some infections and inflammation issue, actually, I realised it affected me more emotionally and psychologically than anything else, but I felt so much better after seeing the doctor and currently on antibiotics and on the road to recovery (phheeewww!)

Yes, I totally agree with you on the last part, our health is the most precious gift in life, nothing can ever come close to it, so we must keep a close eye on it. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery and a truly well rested weekend, dearie.

Take good care!

With love,
Jeann

Jo said...

It feels so good to hear that you're okay now Rowena. I agree with you about being proactive about our health and doing annual check up especially now we're older. I also feel that we should remind our parents to take care of their healths too because there are some areas that they may have overlooked. I wish you and the people you love excellent health. Thank you so much for sharing.

xo Jo

www.whiterosesandcoffee.com

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thanks Anne! Too often we take it for granted until it's too late so it's better if we make a point of looking out for ourselves better and being proactive about it.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thank you Kizzy! Yes it is!

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thank you Gabrielle! It was such a relief to finally get a diagnosis and to be on a treatment now.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thanks Regine!

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Yes it was such a relief to find out it wasn't anything serious. And I'm really glad that I won't have to repeat that procedure for another ten years.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thanks chingu! I didn't want to be all cryptic about it. Routine screenings are a pain but they are worth it if they can undercover issues that can/should be taken care of. Hope your tests all came back clean :)

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Yes my doctor thought the iron deficiency was linked to some sort of infection and I'm just happy it's something that can be treated. I've definitely been taking it easy lately because my energy levels feel so down at times. My doctor has me on an iron supplement with vitamin C because the vitamin C helps the body to absorb the iron better. It too me awhile to get used to it but it doesn't make me nauseous anymore. I hope you can find some way to tolerate iron supplements. I can't even imagine having to get colonoscopies as often as you but it's good you do it to stay on top of your Chrohn's disease. Yes we all need to take responsibility for our health.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Not knowing was really scary. Once I got my diagnosis it was such a relief. I'm just glad to be on a treatment now. Thanks Mica!

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Yes it was because you really start assuming the worst. Me too! Thanks Jenny!

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Anemia is no fun. Hope you're managing well. Thanks Karolina! I hope so too.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thank you for your support dear Lilli! <3

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thank you sweet Paola!

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

I appreciate your kind words Rebeca! Routine exams are important to make sure there is nothing wrong. I hope you will schedule yours soon and they will go well.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thank you so much Olga!

Dressed With Soul said...

Dear Rowena, I'm so relieved to read that now you got the diagnosis and that the diagonsis is so relieving. I really can imagine through which abysses you went. Thank you for sharing everything so honest and also for your important appeall. All the best to you!
Many thanks for your kind comment on my blog. Do you want to follow each other?
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thank you Lena! I am too. It stinks to not quite be myself but I know I will get there again. Same to you my friend! <3

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear you've been going through some health issues of your own dear Jeann. I'm just glad you saw a doctor and are getting treatment. May we both recover well and be back to our usual selves very soon. Take good care of yourself my dear friend. xo

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Thanks Jo! Yes it's really important that we look after ourselves and also make sure our parents and all of our loved ones do the same. I wish the same for you and yours.

Lyosha Varezhkina said...

I am so glad you are better now. There is nothing more scary than not knowing why your body acts that way. colonoscopy is the most unpleasant procedure I have ever went through

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

I really appreciate your well wishes Rena Thank you so much!

ALLIE NYC said...

I had both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy not fun at all. And ultimately abdominal surgery to remove adhesions, though sadly it is caused by surgery so you then develope more which then leads to other chronic digestion problems for which there is no cure. So I feel your pain. I am glad it is not serious and I am glad you found a solution that works.

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

FASHION TALES said...

Oh wow, dear Rowena, I am so happy to hear that you can be treated. I rememeber my mum having to go through rigorous prep before her breast cancer surgery. Sometimes our minds wander causing more stress than the actual issue, so keep positive people around and encouraging words surrounding you. Sorry that you had to go through this but I agree health is the utmost importance in life before anything. Just coming off a digital detox myself after a long business trip. I was so burnt out. Finally catching up on blogs. Thanks for updating us. Wish you all the best and a speedy mental/physical healing, Madison <3

Pilar said...

Rowena I'm so glad to hear you're ok and that treatment is available! I've been away from my blog for about a month, so I'm just catching up on reading blog posts. Wishing you a wonderful week :)