CancerCompass message board discussion started by funlife4me on 4/17/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23155,0.htm Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi there, I came across this site when looking into some symptoms that are being investigated at the moment and just wondered if anyone had had anything similar or if I'm worrying about nothing.  I noticed a lump in my groin area about 6 weeks ago and then another one appeared (although it may have been there before and didn't notice).  The lump is quite large (about an inch across) and doesn't usually hurt except when it rubs on underwear or trousers because of it's location.  Anyway, I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago and she asked all sorts of questions about discharge and illness etc.  I haven't had any symptoms of irritation or infection and so I think she ruled that out.  She asked me about night sweats and funnily enough I had woken twice that week drenched, although since then I haven't had any, just the occasional hotness and feeling a bit fluey.  She ordered blood tests which I'm waiting for the results for and also referred me for an ultra sound of my groin area which I've just had through for the 6th May.  Anyway, as I didn't go to the doctors thinking anything was particularly wrong I didn't actually ask her any questions but of course with the internet being such a font of knowledge, I am now concerned about some kind of Lymphoma.  I've seen a lot of posts about nodes in the neck area but not much about the groin and wondered if anyone can relate to what I've experienced.  I'm also not sure why she's ordered an ultra sound.  Will they be able to tell much from that or should I be getting a CT scan.  Anyway, i'm probably worried about nothing but I think it's the not knowing if I should be concerened that is making me concerned!  Any help would be appreciated (by the way I'm a 36 year old female - live in the UK but this was the best site I've come across!).  Oh also I'm 2 weeks late with my period and after 4 tests definitely not pregnant - not sure if that has any bearing. funlife4me Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT To just a bit worried, My mom had a tumor in her groin and today (April 18th) we find out it is b-lymphoma.  I am researching everything possible on her pathology report.  She had some pain in her groin and at first they thought it was a hernia and later did a biopsy (april 9th) and have now confirmed b-lyphoma.  My understanding is that if caught early enough she may only have to do radiation.  We are awaiting a consultation where I will ask more questions.  Don't worry it may also be benign or nothing at all.  I just noticed that you couldn't find anything regarding lymphoma in the groin.  Doc says my mom should be fine.  We are from Canada I am 37 years old and my mom is 65 (just retired).  Hope you get good results and don't try to look to deep on the internet you might just get depressed. confused2 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT It sounds like you have a very thorough Doctor, which is a good thing, they go through all the steps to rule out certain things such as the main one being that of Cancer, try not to worry, it could be a list of things.I’m still in the steps have been since last year, not knowing is a pain, yours should be sorted soon due to location, I hope all will be ok for you. Keep us posted. All the bestMichaela Betwixt Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/17/2008 confused2 wrote:To just a bit worried, My mom had a tumor in her groin and today (April 18th) we find out it is b-lymphoma.  I am researching everything possible on her pathology report.  She had some pain in her groin and at first they thought it was a hernia and later did a biopsy (april 9th) and have now confirmed b-lyphoma.  My understanding is that if caught early enough she may only have to do radiation.  We are awaiting a consultation where I will ask more questions.  Don't worry it may also be benign or nothing at all.  I just noticed that you couldn't find anything regarding lymphoma in the groin.  Doc says my mom should be fine.  We are from Canada I am 37 years old and my mom is 65 (just retired).  Hope you get good results and don't try to look to deep on the internet you might just get depressed.Thank you for your message.  I'm sorry to hear about your Mum and wish her all the best. I have been trying not to worry about it and your're right about the internet - a good source of knowledge but sometimes not a good thing when you don't really know what you're lookin for :).  Anyway, I'll be thinking of you and hope the results show it's early and easily treated.  God bless,  Sue  funlife4me Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/18/2008 Betwixt wrote:It sounds like you have a very thorough Doctor, which is a good thing, they go through all the steps to rule out certain things such as the main one being that of Cancer, try not to worry, it could be a list of things.I’m still in the steps have been since last year, not knowing is a pain, yours should be sorted soon due to location, I hope all will be ok for you. Keep us posted. All the bestMichaelaThank you Michaela, yes I am lucky with my Doctor.  I don't go very often and so don't have anyone regular and did think I would probably be given antibiotics and sent home.  I guess that's what started me to worry when she didn't give me any but ordered the tests instead.  But you're right it's a good thing that it's being taken seriously.  I'm sorry to hear you're diagnosis is taking so long, it really is the worst thing.  I know that we complain about the NHS here in the UK but it seems we are pretty lucky when it matters.  I hope things turn out OK for you.  I will definitely post when I know more.  Let me know how you get on too, and I'm always hear if you want to chat, whether my news is good or bad :) Sue funlife4me Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Yes, when I read about how tough they have it in America with all the costs involved in the medical field, I thank God that I am here in Australia, I don't have to pay anything for my scans and stuff because the Lymphoma is covered here, I am not sure but there are certain Cancers here that come under that provision and fortunately Lymphoma is one of them, the scans can cost an awful lot of money.Thank you for your support, I only joined up yesterday and have been deeply touched by the people on here already, and been crying on and off ever since but its doing me good, haven't cried for a while and sometime you just need to.I will post on how I get on and look forward to hearing about how your outcome goes, if I get the ok, I will have to say this experience has helped me to have compassion on what people go through with this scare and all the uncertainties along with it.I just had a phone call from a really dear friend, she told me her sister may have mouth Cancer, so now I am off to try and read up on that, its a sad day. God Bless and may he grant you his peace at this time. All the best Michaela Betwixt Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Oh Michaela, I am sorry to hear about your friends sister, you are having a tough time.  I rang the doctors today to find out if the blood results were back and they were and all was normal, so I was relieved about that.  Although, after, I remembered that blood results don't always show up anything for Lymphoma so I guess I'll just have to wait to see if the ultra sound turns up anything.  The lump is really annoying me at the moment though, a bit of an awkward place for underwear :-).  Oh well, I know what you mean about this kind of scare changing your outlook on life.  I actually feel it's being a positive experience for me in some respects as it makes you focus on what's really important. Do you mind me asking what your symptoms were and what they're checking?  I just have so many questions going aroud at the moment, I think I probably need to try and get in to see my doctor again, just so I can ask them, as it's only me that's thought it could be Lymphoma and for all I know she has something completely different in her mind!Anyway, I'll keep you posted and hope you're OK and your friends sister.God blessSue funlife4me Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Sue,Sorry this is late getting back, weekends are not good for me.WARNING: Before I start this, keep in mind I am a bit of a joker and get carried away at times, I find if I  laugh about things I seem to get through this easier.Looks like my friend’s sister has some type of skin disorder so most probably not Cancer, so they are relieved to say the least at this point in time.Yes blood results can be fine; I don’t know the ins and outs of this though.Hopefully they will see more with the scan you have and if needs be a biopsy, bottom line is they can not really say for sure about anything unless they do an actual biopsy, “TIP” get your life insurance sorted out before hand, they wont give me life insurance for just walking into an Oncologists office, even thinking about it disqualifies you and I am not joking here, this has happened to me and they were ringing me up trying to sell me life insurance, I didn't go looking, I tried to tell them not to waste their time but they wouldn't listen, but some of the questions are a insult to have to answer.Sounds like it is really annoying where you have it located, yes I felt it was a positive for me after the initial shock, but it sure does help you get your priorities back in order, for a while then back to the same ol same ol, I think we can all be slow learners when it comes to things like priorities and what’s really important in life, I know I am.How I came to be told I may have Cancer was by going for a scan for something else, I was showing off at work by proving I could out walk the RN on duty, I work in Aged Care facility anyhow the day after I could hardly walk at all, I developed lower back pain, I ended up at the Doctors for some scripts and just mentioned to her that I had a back ache, she’s an amazing Doctor and straight away got me to go for a CAT scan, before I knew it I was back in the Doctors rooms and she was very grim, which is very usual for her, she’s normally a laugh a minute, she said she was not happy, we have to rule out Cancer, as the Scan came back with “Pathological mesenteric and para-aortic lymphadenopathy with the most likely diagnosis being that of lymphoma”, I was cool about this and tried to comfort her a bit, poor luv.I was then sent off to an Oncologist, who looked like he needed glasses to see what was on the scan, he said that they normally deal with bigger lymph nodes, mine were only slightly over the except able normal size and I think that was just one of them, he couldn’t work out why I was there, nor could I and I was busting to get out of there, but he proceeded to check me out, did a physical, he asked me about symptoms, I said I felt fine, actually fantastic never felt better, except for the back pain, which had all but disappeared by the time I saw him and the only other thing was sweats, I was more embarrassed to really mention them, which seemed to coincided with a new mattress we had bought. It was latex one, so I thought it was making me sweat, funny thing was I only sweat when I actually "fell to sleep", I could lay in that bed all day if I wanted to and I was fine, then one day I was in the lounge and fell off to sleep and woke up in a sweat, so I then realized it wasn’t the mattress after all, the night sweats ceased prior to seeing the Oncologist I think they were scared of him and then they came back briefly and went as quick as they came, which could be hormonal.I had huge weight loss but that was only by extremely strict dieting, but I don’t think they believed me; I put it on super fast, as I have a thyroid problem, and so loosing weight is not one of my symptoms unfortunately.While I was there he said to me I have a cyst which needs to come out, so I was sent off to a Gynecologist Oncologist (long word hey), he wanted them to do a biopsy of the Lymph nodes while they were in there ripping out this cyst, (I think the dentist would have been a better choice), they said to me that the operation was extremely dangerous and had an extremely high morbidity rate as the lymph node they would really need to get is right near the Aorta, and because the head Oncologists have been telling me it could be a "list of things", which by the way I never seem to get, I figured it wasn’t worth dieing on the operating table at this point in time, (which was five weeks back), plus they would have to gut me like a fish to get the biopsy, I am a wee bit vain so less scarring as possible please. So in total I’ve had two CAT Scans and they show that the Lymph nodes have grown by 2-3mil, but then I was told that could just be the darn scanning machines being different, they didn’t scan me at the same place.I have had a PET scan and thats supposed to light up Lymphoma and mine came back “inconclusive” (typical), so got another one of those lovely things due in May, so by the end of May I should know more, they are scanning me at the same PET scanning machine as last time, so that should give us a better concrete reading of changes if any I hope.I figured that they would have been better getting a heart surgeon to get the biopsy rather than a gynecologist being that the lymph nodes in question are right next to the main artery of the heart, isn’t this a reasonable thought?I believe all my blood tests have come back fine, except my thyroid test is a bit high, he seems more concern with my thyroxin dose than anything else, don’t know why, he thinks I stressed out because I told him off about risking my life on the operating table and using diffrent scanning machines, so too much thyroxin can cause you to show anxiety and your eye balls to bulge he said, I would have thought what I had to put up with was causing that, but who am I.This has been going on since October of last year, so I am unsure of my future at this stage, the Oncologist did say that “if” it is Lymphoma it would be the Indolent type as it is slow growing, thank the Lord for that, I don’t need a fast growing type with the Oncologists I have surrounding me ha ha, I will be convince of their growth if they scanned me on the same scanning machines, so I am keen to confirm this.I think if they come back and say they have grown I am thinking I am still going to refuse that biopsy and just wait until I have no option but to have it done.I know one thing I am getting more exhausted, but that’s because they have taken me off of half my thyroxin medication, plus I am going to the gym three times a week and bike riding on top of all of that.The cyst was removed which in fact turned out to be a Tumor (benign), but it would have kept growing apparently, so it would have had to come out, the surgeons looked around while they had me on the operating table and said they could find nothing inside of me that would be causing the lymph nodes to swell, well thats because most things have already been taken out from prior opperations. Which is a mystery and disappointment really, would have been good to have an infection or something that could have been cleaned up with some antibiotics, I did ask the Oncologist if it could be an infection and he said no, I asked him for a good dose of antibiotics to see if that would help, he also said it could be inflammatory, I asked for inflammatory meds and again he said no, I can not work them out.Well that’s my long-winded account of the past 7 months of probably 5 years to live.Thanks for your concern, how are you feeling, a bit up and down too I bet with worry.God BlessMichaela  Betwixt Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello Sue, Don't panic that is my first bit of advice. My second is that when you do panic, because that is the absolute normal thing to do, forgive yourself and don't feel the need to appologize. Health can be a scary thing for many reasons, but really today isn't the time. There are always many opportunities to panic later and you will.I will let you know that there is such a good chance that the doctor is being cautious and thankfully so. You lymph system is basically your 'toxic waste' system of your body. Keep thinking positively because your lymph nodes have a way of enlarging in reaction to things you may not notice. I have had the lymph nodes in my groin enlarge because or irritation due to a scare from a surgery. We just usually don't notice them in places other then our neck because that they are deep enough we don't know they are there. There are a lot of reasons other than cancer that can cause them to react. It is good to educate yourself but know there are a lot of reasons for your symptoms. Be patient with yourself and the doctors to find out what it isn't and hopefully what it is. Doctors look at what is scary and what isn't, but we tend to only hear the scary stuff.  Okay so what do we do to be patient? First thing I'll tell you is to have faith. I won't preach a religion, but if you have one use it. If you don't you still need to have some faith. Faith in the doctors, your friends, your family and yourself even faith in the system. Everything will be okay and everyone will be able to handle it. Being okay doesn't mean that you won't get bad news, just that you and the people in your life will handle it. Take a lot of deep breaths and try to relax when you can. If you are a person to post, or even read a website like this, then you are a person that meets lifes challenges.Ask a lot of questions and keep on top of everything. Keep a running list of your questions as well. It helps you keep focused and not get lost on the journey. Start tracking your tests and the results. I even keep copies of the results for myself. I may not understand them all but it gives me some sort of illusion of control. Always ask when you will hear something, or get results. Call if you don't get them. Don't worry about being a nag, you are just reminding them that you are there. Being an informed patient isn't bad, so wanting to know the results is just keeping yourself in the loop. Keep track of what tests they run and what you learn. The worst that will happen is you keep yourself busy and less focused on what is scary. To me the wait is scary and not the results.Look at what is good. At your age if you do have lymphoma it is most likely Hodgkins. (Review this website under the atlas and look at both lymphomas and information about them.) Hodgkins is cured in 75% of the patients. You are young, it is early and you are strong. Again you are willing to look what could be the problem that is good. Just remember it is only one option of many things.I know I've went sort of all over the place, but I want to just touch on a lot of thoughts to help you get through. I've been on this journey for a while and the thing that I try to do is give myself some peace. One of the best things I've learned from a show on cancer is that you have to remember to live. Don't get lost in what might be or might kill you that only kills minutes of your life. Living is the most important part of life.After all that pep talk let's go into some of the tests. Let me give you a very simple run down of them because I've had a lot in the past 9 months.  Blood tests - It's all about the chemistry and counts. Occasionally can tell if you have a cancer but mostly measures additional indicators. This can help decide if it is an infection because of the white blood cell count. In my opinion blood tests are like looking at the index of a book. It will give you a general idea of where to look and what to look for.   Ultrasound - Gives a picture of your mushy stuff and helps give a basic (cheap) view of the area.   X-ray without contrast - basically measures thick stuff. Bones, thick tumors and gives a basic look of your guts, but not always very clear. 2-dimensional so flattens you out for the picture.   X-ray with contrast - Same as above, but makes parts of you mushy parts easier to see and helps define the spaces in between.   Cat Scan - X-ray in 3-dimensions same distinction with our without contrast. Gives a better view of all the parts.   MRI - This gives a lot better picture of the mushy parts and is in 3-dimensions. It has a lot more definition and with contrast will give a very clear picture of what is going on in your body. And how your body is functioning.   PET scan - Similar to MRI but they use things to help show cancer. Not perfect so not used in all countries.  Hope that all helps and keep your chin up. It will be okay.David  DavidP1227 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Oh Michaela, you poor love, you have been going through it (even though you did make me laugh on a number of occasions).  I guess you have to be grateful for your walk challenge, as it may not have been discovered yet and you've been waiting long enough as it is.  I totally agree that a heart surgeon would probably have given you a little more confidence in getting the biopsy done, I mean you wouldn't want them to have forgoten where they were and tied some tubes!  (sorry, I do have a strange sense of humour myself, so I hope you don't get offended!).I'm feeling like a bit of a fraud to be honest, when there are so many people, including you, that have genuine reason to be concerned.  I mean, Dr. Sue I'm not, so I shouldn't be jumping to all sort of conclusions.  I've now convined myself that it really is probably nothing and I'll feel really bad for worrying friends and making such a big deal out of it.  I rang the doctor today as I thought I should try and find out if she thought I should be worried.  I was going to book an appointment, but then decided that taking a half day off work for what would probably be a 5 minute appointment probably wasn't worth it (I work over an hour away so couldn't just 'nip' out for an appointment).  I got her to call me instead and she said that the tests were purely precautionary and she didn't think I really had anything to worry about.  My bloods were normal and when she checked me over she only found a couple of small nodes in my neck as well (Nodes in my neck!  I didn't even no!) so there was probably nothing to worry about.  I did mention the fact I hadn't come on yet and yes I had done numerous pregnancy tests which were negative but maybe it was just because I was worried.  She agreed and didn't really say much else, just that if anything did show up on the ultra sound the results would be faxed through so they would no very soon after.  I didn't mention lymphoma as I didn't want her to think I was some internet surfing hyperchondriac!So, I'm trying to put it out of my head, not to touch my nodes, as I know that doesn't help them to go down anyway (and I'm sure they're getting smaller) and not to mention it anymore to anyone, so I don't look really silly when there's nothing wrong at all.I know it must be so tough for you having to wait even longer and then not knowing what decision to take anyway.  I know you would have asked, but isn't there another less dangerous node they can biopsy?  Stupid question, I know, as they would have done that already, but it just seems so unfair that the one node they want is in such a dangerous spot (yes, that thought would have gone through your mind a hundred times already).  Sorry, I'm just feeling your frustration!Please keep in touch and let me know how it's going.  I have a very big ear (well, OK it's not physically that big, quiet small and neat really) but it's always available for any venting or just general listening.Sending you all my best wishes and I'll be thinking of you.God blessSue funlife4me Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear DavidThank you so much for your wonderfully supportive and informative message.  One thing I'm finding from this scare is how many utterly wonderful people there are in this world and if I take anything away from this it will be a regained belief in human goodness.I am beginning to think that I've been worrying myself for probably no reason and so I've made a conscious effort to stop thinking it could be something bad and carrying on as normal (OK, yes I do have the odd thoughts but hey I'm only human! :).I'm sorry to hear that you've been going through tests and waiting for 9 months.  I can only imagine how awful that must be as here I am only 2 weeks after going to the doctor!  You are right though, it's the not knowing that's the worse, I really believe I would be OK if it was bad news as I try and be positive about things and would just want to get on with it, but it's not knowing and then I feel guily about being worried because if it's nothing I feel like I've wasted people's time and made my friends worried for no reason.  So, from now on, it's only positive thoughts and assuming everything's OK unless I'm told differently.Your message was so brilliantly put, you really are an inspiration and comfort to anyone going through similar things.  And to explain all the medical stuff as well has really helped.Thank you so much and I hope everthing turns out OK for you.  Do you have a diagnosis or have all the tests you've gone through still not proved conclusive?Anyway, I'll keep you in my thoughts and wish you all the very best.Thank you once again.Sue funlife4me Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am glad you had a laugh its good medicine and best of all its free, Its good to see you have a similar sense of humor to me, my girlfriend and I often get asked if were the entertainment when where out together, people around us either laugh or give us really filthy looks, I said to her we should get jobs as clowns, I would love to buy a big plastic hammer and hit her over the head with it.I wouldn't be so hard on yourself mate, you have genuine concerns and why not get a bit of extra attention on the way you deserve it (wink wink), all those flowers and chocolates and extra cuddles are probably well over due anyway and wouldn't be classified as profit from fraudulent purposes I wouldn't think, IS THERE A LAWYER IN THE HOUSE!.Be careful of the Chocolates though, I read somewhere one of the symptoms of Cancer is weight gain, I don't believe its just fluid build up, I think you get to a point of "I don't give a stuff" and eat whatever you like and gain a few extra pounds (I used pounds cause your English), Doctors don't want to worry us intentionally, I liked the term "internet surfing hypochondriac" awesome, was on the net with my nutty girlfriend last night and we had her diagnosed with all sorts of problems, its so funny, I said to her in the future we wont need Doctors at all, we can just type in our symptoms ourselves and find out what's wrong with us and REALLY get the answers, we laughed so hard we bought tears to our eyes, (I am not that bad I actually prefer Doctors), but it was funny.Stress and worry can do all sorts of things, my girlfriends lymph nodes swell up in her neck and go back down on their own when she's run down and stressed, but she doesn't have Lymphoma (I think shes hoping she loves chocolate), the body is amazing how it tries to cope with our ever demanding life, especially hers.I would be direct about asking your Doctor if she believed it could be Lymphoma, she would have thought of that herself being a good Doctor as she is and I think its important to fire off questions, don't worry if you think you will come across as an internet surfing hypochondriac, at least you will be an informed one ha ha, plus if you really feel like a knob you can find another Doctor, no seriously, I asked my Oncologist if he thought artificial sweetener might be linked to Lymphoma, only because I chew that stuff from the time I get up, till the time I go to sleep and did a bit of internet surfing ha ha and read where they believed there was a link, he said no and I could tell on his face he thought I was a dumb internet surfing hypochondriac but who cares mate, I am hoping to educate him a bit more as time goes on, I actually think he will diagnose me with Bi Polar by the time its all over ha ha.I know exactly how you feel about toning things down just incase there is a good outcome and your left there with an innocent smile on your face, eyes turned down and chocolate in the corners of your mouth trying to look cool, its not easy to balance EXTREME PANIC emotions with being in control, NOW IS IT !!  I got asked on Sunday when is your next scan?, I said oh in the near future sometime, breezed it off like it was nothing, they said like when in the near future?, I said oh in May sometime, ha ha like its no big deal, actually I think I do have Bi Polar.Nodes in the neck would have freaked you out, don't you hate it when they don't tell you things like that and then they let it slip out and you think what else didn't they tell me, I got told I had them in my neck by a student Doctor and when I went to the Oncologist and said why not get the Biopsy from the neck, he said you don't have swollen Lymph Nodes in the neck, he said his were bigger than mine, so got told something that wasn't even true, but I was left to freak out for a while before finding that information out, in-between visits are normally a few weeks here to see those with letters after their names, I had visions of it spreading through my whole body and my sympathetic crowd "almost" came forth with more chocolate.I was told that they could try and get a Biopsy from another area in the abdominal area, but that they have a better result getting an actual swollen one, even a swollen ones can come back clear and I was told that even if it came back clear in my case, I would still need to get scans in the future to monitor me, because they can get clear readings and you can still have Lymphoma, lovely news isn't it, thought that would help you sleep better, the surgeon didn't want to even bother with doing that, although he did say they should look at fine needle Biopsy which he said would be a safer option and probably worth trying, when I told the Oncologist that, he again doesn't think that's an ideal way of doing it, to be honest I will be pressuring him to take that road first, if they come back more swollen. I am sure my Oncologist is having regression symptoms from a fishing incident when he was a child ha ha, I think he wants me guttered like a fish no matter what.It sounds good that your nodes seem to have gone down a bit, hopefully they will go all the way back down and start behaving themselves again, the Lymphatic system is amazing and how it works is awesome.Have you any children, I have a daughter and a son, my Daughter Karla is 16 and my son Michael is 10.On a serious note, I am thinking about you and your in my thoughts daily and I am hoping you get good news soon, cause I am running out of jokes, wink wink :0)All the best and *BIG HUGS* <<< oh cute you got another over due hug from a stranger in the LAND DOWN UNDER where woman glow and men plunder.PS: there are no smilely Icons buttons on these message boards, oh I do miss them.Michaela :0) Betwixt Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Well, I think I was being over optimistic about it getting smaller, it is still quiete obviously there!  Not helped I think by wearing underwear.  I think I may have to start going commando Ha Ha!Got an appointment on Monday to see the doctor again because I got a call yesterday about a potential 4/5 week contract in - wait for it! - Sydney!  Would love to go, but it would mean leaving within a couple of weeks which would be shortly after the scan so just want to check with her that a) I would get the results back quickly if there was something wrong and b) in the miniscule, outside, highly unlikely chance that there is something wrong, that a few weeks away wouldn't make any difference, no matter what it is.  I know she won't be able to tell me anything but figure it will be a good opportunity to be able to express my internet surfing hyperchondriac fuelled fears :-).  Actually, even if there was something wrong I expect the next appointment wouldn't be till I get back anyway, so should be OK!On the children front, no I haven't got any.  Never been particularly maternal and so wasn't a priority.  I have had my moments mind you, usually when I've been in a relationship for a while and thought 'mmm maybe it's time but that usually coincided with the guy buggering off shortly after!  Did even consider sperm donation recently (from a proper sperm back, not that I was roaming the streets looking for potential daddies LOL!), but I soon came to my senses.  Flowers? Chocolates? extra hugs?  Damn, I think I've played down my worry too much.  Oh well, a hug from a stranger is so much better, so thanks for that one :-).Where abouts in Oz are you?  Would say I'll pop in to say hello if I get out there, but unless you're very close to Sydney, it's one helluva big country so might not be possible!Well, you know you're in my thoughts too and here's a HUG right back at ya!  I was thinking I should send you a private mail with my email address but in the meantime, we'll just have to keep everyone on here amused with our stories :-).Take care Sue :-D  funlife4me Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Good to hear from you again thought you had disapeared on us.I am in Perth way over the other side, hopefully you will be able to come to Oz at least that way your mind will be busy thinking of kangas.Sure is a big country in comparison to the UK, my hubby and I came over in 96 and I refused to drive there, I had to read the map book and we had a blue over where the street was we were looking for, I kept telling him to slow down because he had driven through three suburbs! Which would normally be equal to around 2-3 here, I thought the traffic was mad, but organized, unlike here they have no excuse for road rage here.Yeah do away with the duds who needs them anyway, at least you will have less washing to do.Well keep us updated on those monkeys, yeah I don’t know how one sends on their email or yahoo chat IDs here, will find out. Catch ya Michaela Betwixt Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT