It's very brave of you to face this squarely with the whole world watching.  I know your audience includes a lot of friends, but it also includes a lot of people -- like me -- you don't know at all.

I'm sorry you've been feeling unwell for so long, Erin, and I'm glad you finally sought help.  It's a reminder to all of us that hiding our heads in the sand is not the best way to deal with things.  I, too, have a tendency to discount health ailments, although I know at age 55, that's not wise.  I've still not had my baseline colonoscopy, recommended by age 50, because I want to lose more weight first (!)  

I know -- stupid.

Like all of us -- those you know and those you don't -- I'll be there when you relay your experiences and deal with whatever comes next.  And I hope to see you at BlogHer next week.

BarbD
The Middle Way

This is the bravest thing I have ever read. 

I wonder if your doctor could give you an anti-nausea med for the conference, just so you feel better and can enjoy yourself?  I took phenergan (spelled wrong, but that's the idea) when I had rotavirus, and it helped.  They even have a transdermal one that is a lotion you put on the inside of your elbows (my daughter calls this place her "elbow pit"), so you could still have it in your system if you were puking.  Give 'em a call - they work for you.

But if not, seriously, I will hold your hair and rub your back and give you a mint when you're done.  You are so, so brave.

 http://prettybabies.blogspot.com

It's scary and it sucks and I wish I could make it better for you. Remember that even though the tests are scary they are going to help you. Once you know what's going on you'll know how to treat it.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

... glad you're finally getting in, getting help.

After getting off schedule for a couple of years, I've just scheduled several well-woman appts including a baseline colonoscopy -- prompted by a friend telling me about her sister who just kept putting off and putting off doctors' visits and died a horrible (and perhaps preventable) death.

Be thee well --

Alanna Kellogg
Kitchen Parade &
A Veggie Venture

There is nothing scarier than going through something like this alone! Good on you for a)getting it checked out, and b)allowing all of us to be here for you. I think the reason we think we're making it up is because we don't talk about these things. Only good can come from sharing your experience, both for us and you.

On another note, if you have any interest in approaching things from both an eastern and western perspective, let me know. I can help you find people who will assist with any dietary changes that might help, acupuncture, Reiki practitioners, etc. Sending you love and courage!

There is nothing scarier than going through something like this alone! Good on you for a)getting it checked out, and b)allowing all of us to be here for you. I think the reason we think we're making it up is because we don't talk about these things. Only good can come from sharing your experience, both for us and you.

On another note, if you have any interest in approaching things from both an eastern and western perspective, let me know. I can help you find people who will assist with any dietary changes that might help, acupuncture, Reiki practitioners, etc. Sending you love and courage!

Oh Erin,

Here's a cyber hug until I can give you the real thing next week.

I'm so sorry you're feeling so lousy. It's maddening, frustrating and you think it will never end.

Believe me I know from bleeding profusely (another story for another day) and it's way beyond scary.

I'm so glad you decided to talk about it so we can support you as much as we can.
Hang in there.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute 

I have to say your post is one of the most honest and well-written things I've read in ages.  Thanks for your honesty & vulnerability.  Wish you much healing and humor (which you obviously have in buckets) along this journey.

What I can tell you from my endo/colonoscopy prep last year --- rita's ice (nothing blue, purple, etc.) you can eat in bucketloads and then never ever want italian ice again.  And while prep day is somewhat miserable (who really wants to drink a glass of prep and spend hours sprinting to the bathroom)... in the end the process isn't too awful (a bit enlightening though with the laissez faire attitude of some of the medical professionals I ran into when I voiced a few fears and concerns... but guess that is because it's their everyday job so they think nothing of it).

Look forward to meeting you at the conference & reading your ongoing posts on this journey.

Paula Gregorowicz
The Paula G Company

http://www.thepaulagcompany.com

... but I wanted to pop in and say: good for you, for deciding to share this, and not be embarassed about it any longer! You don't need the additional stress of having to hide stuff. Unusual symptoms can create a lot of stress, and a long wait to find out what the heck is going on sure doesn't help. Waiting sucks. You should NOT have to wait when you need to find out quickly.

But now at least you won't have to wait alone. We'll be waiting with you, and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I'm crossing my fingers for you, and hoping it's nothing major, but something manageable... and I'm still really looking forward to meeting you at BlogHer. 

All the best! And hugs. 

I appreciate you writing this because so many times I see people act as if everything is all good. Everyone has issues they are facing and no one's life is perfect. I am one who tends to self diagnose rather than head to the doctor right away so if anything, your story will move me to go get seen when something is out of place. But as a woman in the blogging spotlight, (you not me lol) I applaud you for telling us everything.

Mrs. Sowell

www.doingsowell.com

~Life is good and we are doing so well!~

This sounds so familiar! Believe me, as not-fun as the procedures are (the prep for the colonoscopy is definitely the worst part!), knowing the results helps. I went through this in late 1999 and early 2000. My diagnosis was ulcerative colititis, and while it took a while to get under control it has been in remission for years. I hope that it is something that can easily be treated or cured, and I think it's fantastic you are putting it out there as a shared experience. Good luck! 

the writer in me is so in love with your spot-on title.

I am so sorry you've been feeling sick. When I was 18, I felt like I had a flaming brick in my stomach all the time. It hurt constantly. Because I kept saying "stomach," I had every horrible bowel test imaginable. Finally, they checked out my reproductive system, and after an endoscopy and cauterization for what turned out to be endometriosis, everything was fine.

Nothing to do with your story, except to say man, it sucks to have something wrong and know something is wrong and not know what it is. I'm glad you put it out there, though, so you can have the support of your tribe.

Rita Arens writes at Surrender Dorothy and BlogHer and is the editor of Sleep is for the Weak.

Hi Erin --

First, I'm sorry that you're going through this -- it's definitely draining to not only not feel well but to be in the dark about the cause. 

It's different for everyone, but I think that sharing these stories can not only help you cope, but also opens the door for advice, support and encouragement from others who have been there -- but may not have known to share their experience otherwise. Also by sharing you're probably helping others out there who maybe need that extra push to get to the doctor and reach out for support as well. While I never like reading stories like this for the obvious reason, part of me enjoys seeing these posts because it, to me, is a level of taking charge of how *you* will work through this.

Caryn
twitter.com/caryn74

Thank you for sharing yourself. I wish you all the best!

There are a TON of health bloggers here who you can lean on and who can offer remedies to ease your discomfort until you get your results.

Hope to hug you in Chicago ~ Your brave and selfless post is really an inspiration.

Best always! 

Houseonahill

www.Houseonahillorg.blogspot.com