Point of Reference

My heartburn/stomach issues have flared up, hard, lately. Things hadn't really got any better since I saw my oncologist at the beginning of October. Things have been particularly bad the last 3 weeks.  And by bad I mean I was only eating twice a day and often skipping dinner or chugging maalox instead of eating anything. I even busted out my dentist forbidden stash of ginger chews. About a week ago, I really had had enough. I made an appointment with my PCP in hopes to being sent to see a gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, my PCP was not available and I was sent to see her physcian assistant. Her PA was everything you could hope for in a healthcare professional. She had already read through my chart and picked out all the instances when I come in for my heartburn. She was curious if this was worse with the tamoxifen (oooh, can I blame this on tamoxinfen...wait I hope not because I have 7.5 more years to go). I explained how this has been worse since I had the 4 rounds of chemo and let her know that currently...

"I feel like I did after the fourth round of chemo"

She paused. Looked at me and stated "That is an excellent point of reference. Let's get you in to see GI. You should not feel that way". I explained that I was concerned because my blood levels had been low when I saw my oncologist and I was concerned that they might be lower. I let her know that it was just my stomach that felt like it was post chemo, and my energy level is good.  She took this all into consideration, but she sent me to have my iron levels tested again. Turns out, I am iron deficient. I am down a couple of pounds, but the new medication seems to be working. I am back eating 3 meals a day + snacks. I do not have constant burning. I am looking forward to meeting with the gastroenterologist and seeing if there is anything else I can do. And hoping that I can get my belly up and running in time for mashed potatoes Thanksgiving. I also aspire one day to not be Ralph.