Just So You Know: In this post I will be talking about Ovarian issues and things of that nature.
This morning I went to the Endocrinologist to discuss going off of birth control which I have been taking since January. We had talked about it at the previous appointment and my doctor said she felt it would be best to wait till this appointment because of all the estrogen I did not receive before and during chemo. Let me go back and explain what I'm talking about, in 2015 my menstrual cycles were becoming very irregular and I would go 3 or 4 months before the next one would start. In December of 2015 was my last menstrual cycle before my diagnoses and I didn't have another until around February of 2017. Yup I went for over a year without my body producing any estrogen. See your body needs estrogen to be healthy and to keep your bones strong. If you aren't producing any estrogen then well... that's bad. Now usually you shouldn't be experiencing these issues at my age, these are usually symptoms women that are starting to go through menopause experience, which leaves us with the question, "why am I experiencing this?" Well, when this happens at 15 that is when it is called Premature Ovarian Failure. Sounds kinda bad doesn't it? Yea that's because it is. It means your body cant produce estrogen anymore and your ovaries are basically retiring, and that also means you don't produce eggs...and if you aren't producing eggs then you wont be "producing" anything. My doctor said that when it comes to my future and having babies that I probably won't be able to have any that are genetically mine, so I can carry a baby but it will be another woman's egg. They are doing some blood tests to see what my estrogen levels currently are and if they are where they should be with birth control, then I can go off of it for a few months and see what my body does on its own. Before I started birth control I was experiencing hot flashes and insomnia which are symptoms of POF and the birth control helps relieve those symptoms. So if I get the all clear then I will stop taking the pill and go for 4 months and see what happens. If I start to experience any symptoms before the 4 months are up then I will have to tell my doctor and go back on birth control. I will have to continue hormone therapy until the natural age of menopause if my body continues to not produce estrogen on its own. Sorry if this post is kind of confusing, I was in a rush:)
This morning I went to the Endocrinologist to discuss going off of birth control which I have been taking since January. We had talked about it at the previous appointment and my doctor said she felt it would be best to wait till this appointment because of all the estrogen I did not receive before and during chemo. Let me go back and explain what I'm talking about, in 2015 my menstrual cycles were becoming very irregular and I would go 3 or 4 months before the next one would start. In December of 2015 was my last menstrual cycle before my diagnoses and I didn't have another until around February of 2017. Yup I went for over a year without my body producing any estrogen. See your body needs estrogen to be healthy and to keep your bones strong. If you aren't producing any estrogen then well... that's bad. Now usually you shouldn't be experiencing these issues at my age, these are usually symptoms women that are starting to go through menopause experience, which leaves us with the question, "why am I experiencing this?" Well, when this happens at 15 that is when it is called Premature Ovarian Failure. Sounds kinda bad doesn't it? Yea that's because it is. It means your body cant produce estrogen anymore and your ovaries are basically retiring, and that also means you don't produce eggs...and if you aren't producing eggs then you wont be "producing" anything. My doctor said that when it comes to my future and having babies that I probably won't be able to have any that are genetically mine, so I can carry a baby but it will be another woman's egg. They are doing some blood tests to see what my estrogen levels currently are and if they are where they should be with birth control, then I can go off of it for a few months and see what my body does on its own. Before I started birth control I was experiencing hot flashes and insomnia which are symptoms of POF and the birth control helps relieve those symptoms. So if I get the all clear then I will stop taking the pill and go for 4 months and see what happens. If I start to experience any symptoms before the 4 months are up then I will have to tell my doctor and go back on birth control. I will have to continue hormone therapy until the natural age of menopause if my body continues to not produce estrogen on its own. Sorry if this post is kind of confusing, I was in a rush:)
Sweet girl... I will pray that your body starts producing it on its own so you don't have to take that medicine. Thanks for the update I forget that you have this blog. Love you bunches, Crystal
ReplyDeleteThis is very hard news to hear at any age, but to hear at 16? Heavy. There's just too much weight in the news you received today to even fully process. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry and angry that the cancer that is supposed to be gone is still, in a way, taking from you. I hope the tests will reveal something that could possibly help you, at least, FEEL better and not feel so tired and all of the above.... I guess you just have to take it one step, one day at a time, and continue to heal yourself, moving forward with your hopes and dreams... (easier said than done) You are still my hero and I love you!
ReplyDeleteAubrey, I will be praying that your body will heal, and your ovaries start doing what they are supposed to!!! I am so sorry you are having to deal with all these crazy hormone things! You are such an amazing writer, and I so appreciate your insights, courage, and thoughtful reflections on all these extremely challenging things you have gone through over the last couple of years. You are amazingly strong and an inspiration! Thank you for sharing so openly about your life and your heart. Love to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHi Aubrey, just read this blog. i don't really have words, and anyway,your words are eloquent enough. i hope just knowing that there is a whole tribe of us who love you and want the best for you ..hope it can help a little.
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