Just Another Adventure in Womanland!

The alarm went off at 6 a.m.  I remember laying in bed just waiting for the "buzzer" to pierce the silence of my home.  Within a few hours I knew I was going to be having a very personal and candid conversation with a female physician I have never met.  Not exactly the way a woman wants to start off her week.

Once the alarm went off and the day was "officially" underway, I made my way to the bathroom to get a shower.  Of course, for the men who might be reading this, the following information may be too much for you to handle...T.M.I.  So now would be a good time for you to move forward to the end of the blog.  For the women reading, I'm sure you will totally understand what I am talking about and why I felt the way I did. 

In the shower I had everything I would need to be certain that my new doctor friend wouldn't be scarred for life by what she saw.  Soap, poofy, shampoo, razor.  Outside the shower, on the vanity, was the deoderant, lotion, polish for toenails.  All needed to make sure I had a nice scent, smooth, moisterized legs, and a sassy pedicure!  For this particular visit to the doctor, less time would be spent on hair and make-up and more time spent on those more inconspicuous areas.  (I told you if you were a man this would be TMI, but was I right?  Women "get it".  This is why when we have our OB-GYM appointments we run home at lunch time to take ANOTHER shower BEFORE we go to our afternoon appointment.)

Once ready, my husband, who had been particularly quiet this morning, went out and warmed up the car and I grabbed a Diet pepsi and a breakfast bar, a cup of coffee for him, and we were on our way to the big city!

It was probably one of the more quiet trips we have made.  Normally, we would chat about what we were going to do while we were in town, where we would grab lunch, and just plan out our activitites.  Usually, the radio would be playing and inbetween sentences I would sing along.  But today it was just quiet.  Both of us knew where we were going and why.  I'm not sure what Brad was thinking as he drove, with his eyes straight ahead on the highway.  As for me, I was wondering if this procedure/biopsy was going to hurt?  Would I cry?  Did I take enough ibuprofen?  Would the doctor have a nice bedside manner or be more matter-of-fact?  Inbetween thoughts, I would pray.  "God, please give me your comfort.  Direct the doctor's hands and give her the wisdom and skill she will need for the procedure.  Oh, and God...if it wouldn't hurt...much...that would be amazing!  Thanks.  I love you and I know you have got this!"

When we arrived at the hospital we walked in quietly and searched the BIG directory of names looking for where we were suppose to go.  I have never seen so many  names with M.D. behind them.  My doctor was on the thrid floor.  When the elevator arrived  my husband and I loaded on, along with another woman, about my age, maybe a little older, and two younger women who were very much pregnant and beaming from ear to ear! 

The elevator doors opened and we all walked into the doctors' suite.  Beautifully decorated in nice warm, cozy colors and furniture.  I made my way to the reception desk to check in.  Brad sat down and looked relieved that he wasn't the only man in the waiting room.  In fact, there were several.

Within a few minutes a nurse came to the doorway, holding a chart, and without looking up said, with a storong voice, "Karen".  Two of us stood up.  Looking at one another in surprise, the nurse then quickly announced, "Dye".  We all laughed nervously, because we were probably all thinking the same thing..."Honey I would gladly change places with you.  You don't want to go through what I am about to go through!"

First came my favorite part...the weigh-in.  Then my next favorite part...the height check to make sure I wasn't shrinking.  From my vantage point it appeared I hadn't shrank vertically and actually grew a bit horizontally!

Next stop, the exam room.  This is where the very personal information comes into play.  The nurse that was taking my information and health history was a very serious young woman with bright blonde curly hair.  She was attractive and I wondered if perhaps the reason she was so serious and intense was because she was beautiful and afraid that people wouldn't take her intelligence seriously.  Whatever the reason, I knew I better not crack any of my jokes, otherwise, I might get that unexpected complimentary enema.

The nurse closed her laptop after completing the interview, handed me the sheet and said the doctor would be in shortly.  20 minutes later in walked a very YOUNG woman with a ginaormous smile.  She reached out her hand and introduced herself and took my hand in a warm, tight grip.  I liked her.  We visited for several minutes and she explained what the ultrasound had shown.  A cyst on one ovary.  A tumor, most likely a fibroid, on the uterus, and an endometrium lining that was thicker than it should be.  Her next sentence was, "Karen, 99.9% of these types of things are benign.  However, because of the thickening in the lining, we want to make sure there are no cancer or pre-cancer cells present.  Which is why we are doing this biopsy today."  I then asked a few more questions, she answered, then stood up and said she was going to get the nurse and we would begin.  As she went toward the door, she stopped, turned around and said, "Karen, this will be very uncomfortable. It will hurt a little.  You won't like me.  But no one has ever passed out, and you will have the results withint a week."  She then smiled that comforting smile and walked out.

I will save you the details of the remainder of the visit, however, I am happy to report that the record still stands, no one has passed out.  But....I'm certain that I squeezed that nurse's fingers so tightly she probably didn't have blood flow back to her hand for several hours after.

On the way home my husband and I discussed how hard it is to wait a whole week for the results.  If the results are good, then my condition will most likely be treated with medication.  If there are cancer or precancerous cell present, then surgery will be the treatment plan. I am believing for the best report! 

If you are wondering how I am feeling tonight about all of this....God is not surprised by it.  He already knows the results and has a good and perfect plan for me.  So many friends and family members are praying for me and that is so reassuring and comforting.  Many, many women go through this type of procedure and many go through things much worse, I am not the first, and will not be the last.  I am blessed to have a God that heals, and a Father that adores me and loves me enough.  I am blessed to have friends and family who are willing to take time to lift me up in prayer.  So I am good.  No, actually, I feel great!  Granted, I am a little droggy tonight, and a little sore, but that is to be expected.  Tomorrow will be better in that regard. 

Finally, I am happy to report that my extra time in the shower this morning paid off.  Not only did I not pass out...neither did my doctor!  The bad news is, the pedicure wasn't really necessary because I kept my little white socks on the entire time!  Why, well, because it was freezing in that exam room, and secondly, they matched my sheet!!

I am the Lord who heals you.  EXODUS 15:26

Jeremy Camp - Healing Hand of God

A Womb Makeover with Karen

Over the past few months there has been a flurry of activity and adventure in my life.  Everything from my baby boy graduating from Bible College and marrying his high school sweetheart, to finding out I am going to be blessed with another grandchild by my oldest son and his wife.  In addition to family blessings I have experienced blessings within my ministry as well.  As recently as this week, I was in Nashville, TN. doing an interview, on a CTN affiliate, about my new children's book which will be released this month.  The television program, "A Courageous Heart", continues to grow and reach millions for Christ, and I have the privilege of speaking to women all over the country.

Also over the past few months I have noticed several things that didn't seem to be quite right with my physcial health.  I think most of us know when something isn't quite right and I believe it is important for each of us to pay attention to the details and the information our bodies are giving us each day.  In my particular case, I noticed that I was suddenly without much energy, very tired.  Despite efforts to watch my diet and exercise, I noticed that I seemed to be gaining weight in my mid-section.  In addition to these two symptoms, there were others, but I will spare you the details, just trust me when I say it was uncomfortable and at times embarrassing.

At first, I wanted to believe that what I was experiencing was just a part of the aging process for a woman.  Perhaps I was about to venture into the unknown territory known as menopause?  Perhaps all of these issues  could be handled with one doctor's visit and an estrogen patch?  So last week I had an appointment with my family doctor.

After visiting with my physician and sharing all of my "issues" with her, and crying my eyes out for no apparent reason, she hugged me and assured me that we would figure out together what was going on with me.  She ordered several blood tests, along with an ultrasound, and we agreed I would come back in a week for the results.  Today was that day...one week later.

When the doctor walked in she was all smiles, telling me that my bloodwork looked exceptionally good!  Cholesterol, blood sugar, iron, etc. all above average.  Only issue seemed to be I was a little low on my vitamin D, which is not uncommon for me.  A simple fix.  I then asked about the results of the ultrasound.  She said she had not received those results yet, but would have them shortly and would call me as soon as she got them.  I was feeling very good about things, and at this point, we were fairly certain that I was just presenting symptoms of the onset of menopause.

Two hours after I left the doctor's office, my cell phone rang.  I saw that it was the doctor's office and quickly answered.  Immediately, the doctor asked me if I was in a place where I could talk comfortably.  My heart skipped a beat.  "Yes, I can talk," I replied.  For the next few minutes I just listened.  Stunned.  An abnormal thickening in the lining of my uterus was visible and cause for concern.  There was also a mass within the uterus that could be as simple as a fibroid tumor, but again, it might not be.  So another doctor's appointment, this time with a specialist, would have to be made in order to do a biopsy.  After the biosy result are in, the specialist will then advise me on what my next choice/step would be.  The doctor then asked me if I understood and did I have any questions.  I simply answered, "I think I understand, but should I be worried?  Could this be cancer?"  She simply answered, "I don't think so...but we need to make sure."  I hung up the phone.

The rest of the day I spent filling in those around me that I love on the results.  Each one asking me, "How do you feel?  Are you okay?"  My answer each time was "Yes, I think so."  I have to be okay, right?  I believe for the best and I know God is in control and all the worry in the world won't help the situation.  Am I scared?  Sure, a little.  I want to see my grandchildren grow up.  I want to hold my great-grandchild.  I want to continue to minister to women and show them the love of Christ, I want to be around to hug their necks, encourage them, and watch them grow in their relationship with Jesus.  As a woman, myself, I am also not thrilled about possibly undergoing surgery and being "emptied".  Unless you are woman who has gone through something like this I'm not sure you can understand what I am saying here, but there is just something about having your "woman parts" removed that leaves you feeling sad and less feminine.  Not as beautiful.  Of course, those of you that know me know that I deal with uncomfortable situations many times with humor, so the first thing that crossed my mind, once I got my breath back, was "Hey, I can write another book called: Time to Redecorate Your Womb, with Karen Dye." 

Tonight I write this blog, mostly to ask for your prayers as I go forward with this biopsy and further testing.  I know God has my back on this and I am believing in His healing power!  Please believe with me.

Secondly, I am sharing this publicly in hopes that I may be able to encourage other women to pay attention to their bodies and what it is telling them.  I also hope to be encouraged by YOUR stories and journey through similar circumstances.  As I have said many, many times in my speaking engagements, we need each other!

I promise to keep posting and keep you up to date on my journey.  Just know that I am looking at this as a "bump in the road", a distraction the enemy wants me to focus on in order to keep me from doing what it is God has called me, and equipped me, to do.  The enemy will not win...he is already defeated.

My children's book, which is coming out this month, is called "Just Beweeve".  I am hanging on to my faith and my Jesus and no matter what comes my way, I will "beweeve"!  Funny, how God knew I was going to need this book to remind me that when we cannot see His hand, we trust His heart!

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved,

for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)