| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FARMALLChick |
Posted - Jul 02 2013 : 2:09:16 PM
Remember that bulge I mentioned awhile back? Well, I finally was able to get to the doctor to have it looked at. In the last 2 weeks I have had 2 CT scans and an ultrasound. Now the bulge is right below my left rib cage, as a matter of fact, it kinda peeks out from behind it. It started out about the size of a walnut back in September. Lately it has grown to where I can cup it in the palm of my hand.
Here's what the doctor said after the first CT - You have a prominent pancreas and a fatty growth. Okay - why is my pancreas 'prominent' and why the heck would a fatty tumor cause me so much pain? Let's get a second opinion. Off to get another CT scan - this time with contrast dye (I have no idea why they didn't order contrast the first time). The 2nd doctor noticed that I have a rather 'prominent' throat. (prominent seems to be the word of the day at the doctor's office) so he also ordered an ultrasound of my thyroid. Joy of joys. Called today to find out the results. Well - no mention of the bulge/fatty tumor and my pancreas looked normal. WHAT? Oh yeah, they said I am full of poo, too. Heck, I've always known that, lol.
I am still in pain and that dang bulge didn't go anywhere - let's me know it's there all the time! Oh and I have an enlarged thyroid/goiter. Now I have to make a 3rd trip to the doctor to find out what to do next. I think blood work will be ordered, but can't they just order it w/o me having to make another trip to the doctor? Can't I just talk to him on the phone? Can't they just print out the order and I go pick it up and head to the lab? Why do I have to pay another $70 to for him to tell me all this.
Grrrr. I am just so frustrated right now.  I want to get this fixed, but I really don't want to tell my new boss - Hey, can't come in on time today since I have to go to the doctor again...
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" -John Wayne
www.CountryFriedAcres.etsy.com www.farmallchick.blogspot.com www.farmallchickphotos.blogspot.com |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| hour3suns |
Posted - Jul 03 2013 : 09:21:28 AM
Sometimes it is really frustrating to find the patience to endure until the doctor finds the cause. I have found when I'm going that I need to write down some questions (and their answers given) or things I want to find out about so I don't leave, remember that I forgot, and do a head smack. I agree about work and letting your employer know you are needing to find some resolve and answers with the doc. Offering to work flexibly to make up the missed time shows you want to be there and your job is important to you. Smiling & Waving, Sharon
http://www.thesilvermaplefarm.com |
| FARMALLChick |
Posted - Jul 03 2013 : 07:13:25 AM
Thanks, Winnie - As far as offering to work different make-up hours - the new job isn't conducive to that. The hours are 730 to 430. When the stock market closes - so do we. I am looking into another facility that has better hours like 6am to 7 pm on varying days. My doctor is aware of my concerns, as is the 2nd doctor and the nurse practitioner I spoke with yesterday and previous occasions. It is just frustrating when 1 doctor doesn't do something right the first time, the 2nd doctor indicates such and the radiologist doesn't even mention it. I know medicine is considered a 'practice', but I think some doctors need more practice than others.
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" -John Wayne
www.CountryFriedAcres.etsy.com www.farmallchick.blogspot.com www.farmallchickphotos.blogspot.com |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Jul 03 2013 : 05:36:42 AM
Lora, unfortunately you have to keep playing this one out until you have a diagnosis and a plan of treatment. My suggestion to you is to always ask questions right there in the MD office. If they don't mention something previously said, ask about it and ask why it is currently not being discussed. Ask the MD to help you with understanding how all the pieces fit together and keep mentioning the tumor on your side and it's growth. You have to keep advocating yourself for all of the answers. Remember you know best how you feel and what is making sense. So when you talk about test results and such, ask all of your questions. As a nurse, I always tell patients to make a list of all of their concerns and to always get answers to each concern at each visit or phone consultation. Also, the main reason that you have to keep making return visits is because they may wish to examine you again, revisit a previous discussion and then make a decision on what is the next best step. Keep in mind that medicine is a process of reviewing symptoms and looking for clues to get answers. Unfortunately you cannot do that on the phone. You have to be there for them to see the physical evidence that suggests what is going on inside. So, make up your list of concerns and take it to every visit so that you get all of your answers you need.
As to your employer, may I suggest you arrange an appointment and let him/her know up front what is happening and the frequent need to go to MD visits. Offer to work late, early, weekends or whatever seems possible so that your hours can be made up and your work completed. Be proactive about wanting to be an accountable employee. Hopefully, this will ease some tensions and make your employee more flexible as to your hours until this all gets straightened out.
Good luck with all of this and I hope this all ends up as something benign to fix and you can get it all resolved very soon!! |
| farmmilkmama |
Posted - Jul 02 2013 : 4:46:23 PM
Ugh. Sorry you're going through this. Dealing with doctors and all the red tape that surrounds them is never fun. Hopefully at the next appointment they can figure something out (for real!) and stop wasting your time. It's hard to tell a job "can't come in again..." when you don't feel like the missing work is getting you anywhere closer to a diagnosis! Hugs, farmgirl. <3
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.amydingmann.com |
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