So last night was fun (sarcasm). Poor Wendy was shivering like crazy even though I was sweating (it was pretty warm here yesterday). By evening her typical low-grade fever was no longer what I would call a low-grade fever, having reached 103.8 degrees! As of this morning it is still 101.3 degrees. Not as bad, but still not good. We’re expecting that by this evening it will probably be up in the 103 range again.
CT Scan results came back, though even as an engineer I can’t make out half the medical jargon. What I did deduce from what I could understand is two things. The first is that the cancer nodes are back with a vengeance. The second is that, either we were not fully made aware of several issues that should have been shown in previous scans or the doctor who did this review added extra information as it was carried over from previous scans, but was not. We’re both a little confused here.
For example, there is mention of a “Redemonstration of a subacute fracture of the right sixth rib.” Wendy has had two scans prior to this and an x-ray at the emergency room and at no time was any mention made of this. It also mentioned her spine being compromised with tumors. Again, something new to us. Unfortunately we don’t see her doctor for a couple more days, so we’ll have to wait until then to get more answers, but this report certainly posed more questions than answers. Wendy will update after she sees her doctor.
Hey guys,
I’m sorry that things have been so rough, what a difficult process to have to deal with :\. You are welcome to send the CT results my way and I can ask the doctors I know to interpret it if I can’t shed some light from my limited knowledge. You and your family are in our thoughts!
Addie
Thanks very much Addie for the offer, it is very kind of you but I actually have an appointment with my doctor very soon. Just knowing there are people out there that are willing to help is awesome! HUGS!
Hey guy and gal…..I am very confused by some of the ‘new’ but yet may be ‘old’ findings on the scan. I will wait and call you next week, Wendy…after your doctor’s appointment….if you could let me know when. Please e-mail me. Wendy I continue to pray for you for peace and no suffering (not working too well is it?!?!?! I will try harder!) And for you Chris….I pray for strength to face each new day and each new situation. I know some of what you are going through…and know that I am walking the walk with you. Stay strong kids….and know that you are both very much loved. Love and hugs to the two of you from me!
Saundra,
I’m not just confused, but concerned. Besides this new unknown information there is the frustration of watching your wife sit there in agonizing pain and not being able to do a thing about it. It hurts to watch that. I hope something can be done soon. I guess we’ll see. Thanks for the well wishes from both of you. We’ll keep you updated.
hey Chris,
Sounds like the last couple of reviews were pretty cursory. Or things may have progressed significantly. Or there may have been a different scan protocol used showing up different results than a prior scan. Or a host of other reasons……
In any event, much of a radiology report will read like it was written by an MD wannabe on crack to the untrained. That’s why it is generally better to have your doctor who knows you and whose judgment you trust to review these findings if you don’t have the radiologist who read the images face to face. And you generally don’t.
The reason I said “doctor you trust” is because in my experience, radiologists tend to be pretty careful to do a good read because they generally only ever see the images, not the patient. We had a pediatrician scr#w the pooch when our son took a fall at the zoo. He doesn’t feel pain like the rest of us. Took 6 weeks to tell us he had a broken ankle. Now we trust less and question much more. And where warranted, file complaints. That got them 2 citations from AzDHS. Never be afraid to question, never accept substandard care. whether paid by or insurance (paid by you and or parallax) you deserve to be given an acceptable level of care. A decent provider knows this and will need little or no prompting to do it right and take the time to answer all your concerns. If they are any good.
I realize this may sound a bit “ranty”, but you’ve got more than enough stuff falling off the plate to have someone add to it……
Prayers and best wishes,
Frank