Yesterday I got a call from the lab. I need an ultrasound and could I come in tomorrow morning at 7:30 A.M.?
So, Thursday morning, fasting since midnight, -- not even any water -- I arrive at the lab. The test is easy, but the young female technician is not. Finally it's over and I am off without a clue as to what the results might be. What an insulting young woman.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A New Medical Specialist
Due to the low platelet count discovered last week, I need to see a doctor at the new Cancer Center. The one that, when you drive past it, looks like a Las Vegas casino.
My regular doctor's scheduler said not to worry about being sent to a cancer doctor. Hematology is handled by cancer specialists whether or not the problem a cancer-related blood disorder.
Doctor is new to the place and is a specialist in medical oncology and hematology. I wait in the exam room for over an hour.
He interviews me, looks over my records -- labs test results from the past seven years or so -- and appears to listen to my questions which focus on my total lack of sysmptoms. He needs to see more labs results and after that maybe I'll need an ultra sound of my midsection and a bone marrow biopsy. No rose-colored glasses with this guy.
When he's done with me I go to the lab lady and she takes 9 vials of blood. How many different tests? I have no idea. At least 9, obviously. Doctor will discuss the tests when he sees me in two weeks on March 6.
My regular doctor's scheduler said not to worry about being sent to a cancer doctor. Hematology is handled by cancer specialists whether or not the problem a cancer-related blood disorder.
Doctor is new to the place and is a specialist in medical oncology and hematology. I wait in the exam room for over an hour.
He interviews me, looks over my records -- labs test results from the past seven years or so -- and appears to listen to my questions which focus on my total lack of sysmptoms. He needs to see more labs results and after that maybe I'll need an ultra sound of my midsection and a bone marrow biopsy. No rose-colored glasses with this guy.
When he's done with me I go to the lab lady and she takes 9 vials of blood. How many different tests? I have no idea. At least 9, obviously. Doctor will discuss the tests when he sees me in two weeks on March 6.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Three-month medical checkup
Doctor puts me on a diabetes drug, Metformin, twice a day.
As for the platelet count I must see a hematology specialist. Before I could remind him of the wildly incorrect EKG a few months ago that showed nonexistent scars on my heart he said tests were sometimes wrong or misleading. I think sometimes the tests may not recognize temporary health events and thus give wrong results.
He knows I found the tests for the heart problem worrying and uncomfortable, and useless.
PS -- The red blood count is fine this time. I don't anemia after all, for now at least.
As for the platelet count I must see a hematology specialist. Before I could remind him of the wildly incorrect EKG a few months ago that showed nonexistent scars on my heart he said tests were sometimes wrong or misleading. I think sometimes the tests may not recognize temporary health events and thus give wrong results.
He knows I found the tests for the heart problem worrying and uncomfortable, and useless.
PS -- The red blood count is fine this time. I don't anemia after all, for now at least.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Lab tests prior to next doctor visit
I have to see my doctor next Tuesday and remembered before I had my coffee this morning that I needed to get some blood tests done. So I was at the lab by 7:30. Got a call from the doctor's office that most of the results were fine but a couple needed some attention. The glucose level was high, 188, and the A1C was 6.3, up from 5.7 last time. The platelet count was lower than usual. I tend to run a little low but in 3 months it had gone from 117 to 104. It should not go below 100. So I need so see a hematologist. They will make an appointment for me next week.
Last visit my red cell count was low and he thought maybe they should test for anemia. Now it's the white cells. Go figure.
Last visit my red cell count was low and he thought maybe they should test for anemia. Now it's the white cells. Go figure.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Check up with eye doctor -- 4 months after
The eye involved is doing well and the cataract in the left eye is growing slowly. Some effects of diabetes is evident and I need to lose weight. Next check up in five months.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Regular Checkup
I went to my primary care physician for a routine check up and pain management re-evaluation.
He's pleased that I have lost nearly ten pounds since my last visit three months ago. However my blood pressure and blood sugar have both gone up. Last visit when I was fatter both numbers were down nicely. He says the tests also show a low red blood count. Possible the beginnings of anemia. I have been told this now and then for forty years. Nothing ever comes from it.
Other than these items everything else appears ok for now. The remains of the blood clot in the right leg hasn't improved and it still hurts. I'm told it should go away someday.
He's pleased that I have lost nearly ten pounds since my last visit three months ago. However my blood pressure and blood sugar have both gone up. Last visit when I was fatter both numbers were down nicely. He says the tests also show a low red blood count. Possible the beginnings of anemia. I have been told this now and then for forty years. Nothing ever comes from it.
Other than these items everything else appears ok for now. The remains of the blood clot in the right leg hasn't improved and it still hurts. I'm told it should go away someday.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Eye Exam for New Prescription
Today I saw the optician at my eye surgeon's office. I will need a slight correction for my new eye so there will be new lenses ready in a week or so. All is well with the recovery and the vision.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Eye Exam, One Month After Surgery
The eye is doing fine and the doc reduced the number of eye drops I have to take daily. In three weeks I will be done with them completely.
Next month I need to go in for a vision test to get a new prescription for my glasses and I need to see the surgeon in two months for a check up.
Next month I need to go in for a vision test to get a new prescription for my glasses and I need to see the surgeon in two months for a check up.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Post-Op Eye Treatment
Three weeks ago next Tuesday I had the surgery on my right eye. All goes well with that and it appears to have healed completely. The vision in that eye is good and way ahead of what it was before the operation.
The only tiresome aspect of the post operative treatments are the eye drops. And how many times a day you have to take them.
There are three different drops -- and to help the patient with vision problems each bottle cap is a different color. It began with taking the white cap drops four times a day; the pink capped one six times a day; the gray one once a day. That's a total of 11 applications daily. After two weeks the total was reduced to 7 per day. Next week it goes down to 5 a day.
For a while it seemed every time I turned around it was time for another eye drop.
The only tiresome aspect of the post operative treatments are the eye drops. And how many times a day you have to take them.
There are three different drops -- and to help the patient with vision problems each bottle cap is a different color. It began with taking the white cap drops four times a day; the pink capped one six times a day; the gray one once a day. That's a total of 11 applications daily. After two weeks the total was reduced to 7 per day. Next week it goes down to 5 a day.
For a while it seemed every time I turned around it was time for another eye drop.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Got My Flu Shot
The shot I got today was an "extra strength" flu shot for us elderly folks. Hope it works.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
DVT Acting Up
Update --
I'm having a flare again and it's bothering my sleep. I haven't been regularly wearing the compression stocking recently so I will start again.
The leg looks better than it has in ages. The inflamed area is smaller and lighter in color. But the pain can get intense. Off and on. Painkillers help for a while but not for very long.
I'm having a flare again and it's bothering my sleep. I haven't been regularly wearing the compression stocking recently so I will start again.
The leg looks better than it has in ages. The inflamed area is smaller and lighter in color. But the pain can get intense. Off and on. Painkillers help for a while but not for very long.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Eye Checkup, One Week After
The cataract surgery was a week ago yesterday. Today I had a follow up appointment at 10:40 A.M.
Doctor says the eye is progressing well. He has me continuing the three eye drops. Next week I reduce the frequency and I hope that after my next checkup in three weeks I can get off the drops completely. He found a bent eye lash that was irritating and scratching my eye so he removed it. I wasn't really aware of the problem but now it is gone my eye feels much better. I thought the irritation was part of the recovery.
The doctor was unusually prompt and I was out of there in fifteen minutes.
Doctor says the eye is progressing well. He has me continuing the three eye drops. Next week I reduce the frequency and I hope that after my next checkup in three weeks I can get off the drops completely. He found a bent eye lash that was irritating and scratching my eye so he removed it. I wasn't really aware of the problem but now it is gone my eye feels much better. I thought the irritation was part of the recovery.
The doctor was unusually prompt and I was out of there in fifteen minutes.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Day After
Today's appointment was at 7:30 A.M., less than 24 hours after the surgery. The tech took my pressure and gave me a new schedule of eye drops. There's a third one now. It was all written out for me and I was happy about that because one of the drops I take once a day; another, four times a day; and the other, six times a day.
I also got a pair of huge, clunky wrap-around dark glasses. Big enough to wear over my regular glasses. I left my regular glasses with them to have a plain glass lens to replace the prescription lens for my right eye.
At long last the doctor arrived and told me he had done a beautiful job and everything looked great. I asked him when I would be able to drive, expecting a week, and he said, "today," as soon as you want to.
So after lunch, about 27 hours after the surgery, I drove into town and made four stops, including a quick shop at the supermarket. No problems.
I made another chart (this one's an Excel spreadsheet) to keep track of when to take my eye drops. I see the doctor again in one week, and then three weeks later.
The vision in the right eye is much better than it was. Full recovery may take several weeks. My left eye is already good and the right eye will be even better soon so I won't need corrective lenses for driving.
I also got a pair of huge, clunky wrap-around dark glasses. Big enough to wear over my regular glasses. I left my regular glasses with them to have a plain glass lens to replace the prescription lens for my right eye.
At long last the doctor arrived and told me he had done a beautiful job and everything looked great. I asked him when I would be able to drive, expecting a week, and he said, "today," as soon as you want to.
So after lunch, about 27 hours after the surgery, I drove into town and made four stops, including a quick shop at the supermarket. No problems.
I made another chart (this one's an Excel spreadsheet) to keep track of when to take my eye drops. I see the doctor again in one week, and then three weeks later.
The vision in the right eye is much better than it was. Full recovery may take several weeks. My left eye is already good and the right eye will be even better soon so I won't need corrective lenses for driving.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Cataract Is Gone!
After a quick shower early in the morning I got Jack up, gave him a cup of coffee (no coffee for me) and we left the house at 8:00 A.M. -- no food or drink for me after midnight. We got to the out-patient check in and I was heading for pre-op procedures by 8:40.
Lots of different RNs and Techs poking me with sharp things and squrting stuff in my right eye. And all of them asking me the same questions over and over -- hospital rules -- and for very good reasons I bet.
Just before 10:00 they wheeled me into the OR and got me settled in. A nice touch, although the surgeon needs the patient somewhat conscious during the event, when there are particularly ugly things about to happen they turn up the sedation and you conk out momentarily. So I have no memory of needles in uncomfortable places or eyelid clamps etc. What I remember most were the wild, vivid colors during the entire operation. By 10:40 I was done and they were getting me ready for the recovery room and some water to drink at last.
I knew I needed to see the doctor at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I thought it was to get the bandages removed. But when I was awake and ready to leave they tell me I have a 1:00 P.M. appointment today at the doctor's office. And I still need to see the doctor at 7:30 tomorrow morning.
Today's appointment was to remove the bandages, check my eye pressure and instruct me about eye drops and what not to do today. Also, how and when to use the eye patch/shield they gave me.
At home the rest of the day was spent mostly lying down in a darkened room, listening to the iPod and eating the chicken soup I made yesterday. That was a good idea.
There is very little discomfort. The eye itself has no pain. The eyelids are sore and feel scratchy. And one of the eye drops stings them, a lot. I have two eye drops and take them every hour -- five minutes apart. I have made a chart so I know if and when I took them last.
Lots of different RNs and Techs poking me with sharp things and squrting stuff in my right eye. And all of them asking me the same questions over and over -- hospital rules -- and for very good reasons I bet.
Just before 10:00 they wheeled me into the OR and got me settled in. A nice touch, although the surgeon needs the patient somewhat conscious during the event, when there are particularly ugly things about to happen they turn up the sedation and you conk out momentarily. So I have no memory of needles in uncomfortable places or eyelid clamps etc. What I remember most were the wild, vivid colors during the entire operation. By 10:40 I was done and they were getting me ready for the recovery room and some water to drink at last.
I knew I needed to see the doctor at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I thought it was to get the bandages removed. But when I was awake and ready to leave they tell me I have a 1:00 P.M. appointment today at the doctor's office. And I still need to see the doctor at 7:30 tomorrow morning.
Today's appointment was to remove the bandages, check my eye pressure and instruct me about eye drops and what not to do today. Also, how and when to use the eye patch/shield they gave me.
At home the rest of the day was spent mostly lying down in a darkened room, listening to the iPod and eating the chicken soup I made yesterday. That was a good idea.
There is very little discomfort. The eye itself has no pain. The eyelids are sore and feel scratchy. And one of the eye drops stings them, a lot. I have two eye drops and take them every hour -- five minutes apart. I have made a chart so I know if and when I took them last.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Pre-medication for the eye surgery
Today I began taking anti-bacterial eye drops four times daily in my cataract eye -- three days before the operation.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The Cardiologist's Opinion
The doctor had all my medical records on his computer. And after looking them over and typing in lots of notes he told me there are no scars on my heart. There was no reason for me to come in. I was reminded of the late Gilda Radner's character, Emily Litella, who always said, "Never mind."
He saw nothing alarming except my usual high cholesterol score, as always. His only advice was -- lose some weight.
There were no signs of an earlier "silent" heart attack either.
Why did the two previous docs send me for extra consideration? He didn't have an answer for that one.
He saw nothing alarming except my usual high cholesterol score, as always. His only advice was -- lose some weight.
There were no signs of an earlier "silent" heart attack either.
Why did the two previous docs send me for extra consideration? He didn't have an answer for that one.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Eye Appointment Change
Got a call from the eye doctor. There have been more cancellations. Now I need to be at the hospital's out patient check in at 8:30. Fine with me. Earlier in: earlier out.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Pre-Op Interview for the Cataract Removal
The good part is I don't have to go into the hospital for the interview. The nurse will call me. At 2:00 P.M. I am to be by the phone with all my insurance cards and prescription drugs.
At 2:55 I get the call and the nurse was good and quick and it was over in about 45 minutes. It turned out going to the hospital for an in-person interview would have been faster. Oh well.
I have a new, earlier, time for the operation. And that's fine with me. I need to be at the hospital by 9:45 -- not 10:00. No food or drink for 12 hours prior. I should be released by 1:30.
At 2:55 I get the call and the nurse was good and quick and it was over in about 45 minutes. It turned out going to the hospital for an in-person interview would have been faster. Oh well.
I have a new, earlier, time for the operation. And that's fine with me. I need to be at the hospital by 9:45 -- not 10:00. No food or drink for 12 hours prior. I should be released by 1:30.
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Cardiologist's Office Calls
The cardiologist can see me next Thursday at 1:45. Bring all my insurance cards, a photo ID and all my prescription drugs. Come to the office a few minutes early to fill out the usual paperwork.
I love the doctors who have all the medical history and release forms online. Then you can either fill them out online or at least print then and fill them out by hand. At home. At one's leisure.
I love the doctors who have all the medical history and release forms online. Then you can either fill them out online or at least print then and fill them out by hand. At home. At one's leisure.
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