Aug. 9, 2008 - Yesterday's Medical Update
It was rather a strange visit to the hospital yesterday. I didn't get to see the head of the unit (haven't done for ages!), just his new Registrar. The British medical system is a bit different to the American one in the way it is set up - in my case, I have a doctor in charge of my treatment (Head of Department - Dr. Valle), and he has a Registrar to whom he gives patients whose care is fairly routine. The one I saw yesterday was different to the one I've been seeing over the past few months and I can't remember what his name is!
Anyway, he went through all the usual questions about symptoms, appetite, etc., and was rather concerned about the fact that I am losing muscle tone - I look quite plump in the body, but my arms are especially thin! He also had a feel of my stomach - he was amazed that virtually the whole of my abdominal cavity is taken up with liver tissue (more accurately, with the secondary tumour in my liver and the liver tissue that has grown around it to compensate).
We left with another appointment arranged for November, a prescription for three month's supply of injections, a large container in which to collect a 24-hour urine sample and the possibility of another CT scan before my next appointment. A bit confusing, as we had to ask for several of these things more than once!
Papasmurf went to deal with the prescription and decided to come back to collect it on Monday as there was, at least, a 2-hour wait in the pharmacy! Littlesmurf and myself spent some time sitting in the light breeze outside the hospital where it was a bit more comfortable.
We then went for our lunch at McDonalds (as a treat for Littlesmurf) and, from there, came back home!
I still don't know whether this was a good appointment or not!?!
Comments
Aug. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
It was a good visit. Any time a doctor sets an appointment to see you in four or five or five months, that means he is reasonably certain that you will be alive in four or five months to see him. That's good news.
Aug. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arby
That was me. I forgot to sign in.
Aug. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arby
I bet you there was at least one nun in the flock who wished that she could run over and pose next to him! "What do we do with someone like Maria?" Glad I could be of help. :)
Aug. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by franbles99
I have been thinking of you a lot in the last week, and one disturbed night I prayed much for you. May the God of all comfort grant you his daily grace and mercy to travel this road, and may He give you splashes of exceeding joy along the way!
with love
Sarah
Aug. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeschoolshelter
I wish you could have had a read on the "good" or "bad" appt. It's frustrating leaving the doctor with in bewildered state. What will they be looking at in the CT scan? Just your liver or the whole body? I will continue to keep this in my prayers.
JM
Aug. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
It is so frustrating when doctors don't give you enough info, or let you in on their thoughts, isn't it? I'd say it's a good appt, too. Better for a dr to be proactive. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Julie http://funinthesunmom.blogspot.com
Aug. 11, 2008 - I know....
Posted by deedeeuk
....how frustrating it is to be passed off to the registrars all the time. With my Gyny appointments I kept seeing the registrar and go through the whole thing with them. Then they would go to talk to the consultant about me who would always say she needed to see me herself. Hence I would wait to be seen, have the whole appointment, then wait again to be seen again to just repeat the entire thing to her! Now I just tell them when I arrive that I don't care if I have to wait longer initially - I won't see any but the consultant. It is quicker in the long run!
