Finally, My Doctor Update

This is a long time coming, but I figured I would still post an update. I went for my follow-up appointment on May 31st to check the granuloma site. I was pretty sure it fell off the day after the silver nitrate application a week and half before the follow-up appointment. So I was convinced that this would be just a simple check. My best friend S came along this time, so that she could help me watch Cael. It was a great help.

So after telling the doctor that I haven't had any spotting or pain since the last appointment, and that I think it fell off, he started to examine me. Actually, correction - the resident examined me while the doctor oversaw. This resident was very twitchy, and kind of rough, so it was a rather uncomfortable exam. Much to my dismay, the doctor and resident said that there was still a little piece left. The doctor then gave me a choice of what I wanted to do. He said that it can easily be snipped off with some local anesthetic, or he can put another application of silver nitrate on. I cringed at the thought of both ideas, so I told the doctor to do whatever he thought was best, that I knew it was going to hurt either way.

He decided that the silver nitrate would be best, so the resident applied it. I was ready for the horrid pain I felt last time, but to be honest, it wasn't that bad. It also helped that the same nurse who was in with me last time let me squeeze her hand. He said this application should take care of it. And that in one week, he wanted me to use some KY or Vaseline, and massage the area where the granuloma was. This will help stretch the scar tissue, and make it easier/less sore when I have sex. He said to also wait a couple days after that to have sex. He didn't want to see me for a follow-up, but said that if anything was wrong, or if I was having any problems, to contact them and he'd see me again.

It's been almost 3 weeks since my follow-up appointment, and we've had sex twice. We're having some issues with condoms, which is why it's so few. But both times, it wasn't uncomfortable for me at all, and I enjoyed it. Speaking of condoms, I cannot wait to get an IUD. I'm really looking forward to getting the Paragard, which is a non-hormonal IUD. It's copper, and it can last for 12 years, which is perfect for us since we don't plan on extending our family. The only problem is the cost. After calling our insurance company, I found out that they cover it only after our $500 deductible is met, and then it's only covered 50%. The Paragard itself is roughly $500-600, so that would be a total cost of roughly $700-800 if I went through my OB/Gyn. So I decided to call Planned Parenthood, to see what their costs would be.

PP still bills the insurance, and it's more of a process than I thought it would be for PP. I have to have a consultation appointment first, which consists of a PAP smear, pelvic exam, and figuring out if the Paragard is "right for me". That appointment is subject to our $20 copay. Then they set me up with another appointment  to have the IUD put in. But before that, they will give me the approximate total cost. Basically, they contact the insurance company, and whatever they don't cover, I'll be subject to pay at a reduced price through a sliding scale. I really want to have the Paragard put in, so I hope it's not that expensive in the end. They have walk-in hours tomorrow, so I'll go while Matt has off. We'll see what happens.

My Doctor Appointment Today

I had my consultation appointment today with a new Gyne doctor. I knew it would take me about an hour to get to the hospital, but I wanted to leave 1.5 hours before my appointment, because I had never been there before, and wanted to make sure I had enough time. So after a very productive morning, which included going to Walmart, getting dinner going in the crock pot, making cookies from SCRATCH!, and separating and freezing 5 pounds of ground beef, I was ready to leave at 2 pm.

I got there, checked in, signed two papers, and then sat down and waited. I was almost immediately called in. It was a very efficient office. I was weighed (I'm happy to report that I'm 108), my blood pressure taken, and then my history gone over. I explained why I was there to the nurse, and she typed in her notes for the doctor. She left, and I got undressed. I waited for about 10 minutes or so in the exam room. I had Cael in with me, because no one could come with me. He was okay at first, but then quickly started fussing and crying. I did the best I could with being naked from the waist down. After he was screaming for 10 minutes, 2 nurses came in to see what was going on. They were so sweet, and offered to walk him around in the stroller while I was examined. I thankfully agreed, telling them he just needs to keep moving, and that he's tired, so he may fall asleep. After they left, I no longer heard him crying, and the doctor came right in.

He examined me, and called what is wrong a granuloma. He saw it right away. He said it formed when the two sides of the tear healed, and turned inside out. He explained it like if you curl your lip outward, the inner part is outward, and it wouldn't like to be that way for an extended time. Which is why it bleeds and hurts, because it's not mean to be external. The examination hurt, since the area is still very sensitive. He decided that the best course of treatment would be to apply silver nitrate. I was warned by someone in my Sweet Pea group that SN burns really bad, and that it hurts, so I was prepared. However, at the same time, I wasn't prepared. That stuff set my vagina on fire! It hurt so bad, that I started crying. It was worse than childbirth, I'm pretty sure. I went medication-free with Cael, and I didn't cry. Whimper, yes, but not crying. This stuff hurts. 

He said that the granuloma may fall off, and that is normal. It should be good after that, but he wants to recheck it in 2 weeks, so I have a follow-up appointment on the 30th. He said if it hasn't fallen off completely by then, that he might use a forcep to grab it, and then just "snip it off" (his words..::shudder::), and use silver nitrate again so I wouldn't need stitches. I really hope it falls off on it's own. The snipping can't be pleasant. 

After the appointment, I had to sit in a car for an hour to drive myself home. That wasn't pleasant either. At that point, it wasn't as painful as when he applied it, but it still hurt. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. Earlier this evening, it started bleeding/spotting again, so I hope that's normal. I really hope that this is all healed soon, so that I can get back to having a normal sex life again. That would be nice.