it has been a long journey. or if you are a grateful dead fan, a " long strange trip". i did see my family doctor, and he requested the CT scans, the first report from the radiologist, as well as a new, has not been seen by anyone, report from said same radiologist. when i saw my doctor, he had the FIRST report from the radiologist, but not the new and improved( i sure hoped) version. he basically told me that he really, really needed to see that last report before he could make a final judgment call on the necessity of having the MRI.
so i waited, and waited and waited some more. i know everyone is busy, and i know that i am not the only patient any of these doctors have, but i was getting a little anxious. my family doctor's office called me late this past thursday afternoon and told me, and i quote, " the radiologist, after reviewing the previous CT scans, recommends no further evaluation or testing at this time." there was only one word that i could think of at this point that could adequately express my feelings , and that was , to quote Madea, " H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-E-R !!!"
so i am not saying that we should all refuse to have tests that our doctors might order. what i am saying is, that our doctors need to explain WHY we need the tests, and we need all the facts before we make a decision to have a particular test. i keep copies of all of my test results, lab work, pathology reports,etc in a note book. that has been invaluable to me, and one of the best pieces of advice that i can give anyone who has a chronic medical condition. i have said this before, but perhaps it bears repeating. one time my endocrinologist asked me if i had a copy of a particular pathology report that somehow did not make it into my electronic chart. of course i did! she made a copy. keeping your own records is probably the most important part of being a good patient advocate. it involves a little work and perseverance sometimes. but, it really benefits everyone, especially the patient, in the long run.
i am continuing with my physical therapy, for my shoulder, arm, and neck. i am also continuing my therapeutic massage( my favorite of the two). i have been able to reduce the pain in these areas quite a bit, and have cut down on my mobic dose ( a non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drug- sort of like motrin). my physical therapist said that i have quite a bit of scar tissue in these areas, and that has most likely been the source of my pain, and limited range of motion. the PT also said that having had 14 lymph nodes removed ( 11 in my throat, and 3 in my chest) has played a role, the same amount of fluid is traveling down that " two lane highway", that once cruised down a ten lane one. that makes me more susceptible to infection as well. i do not worry about this, but it is useful information to have. i do try to be a little extra careful- make sure to get my flu shot, wash my hands,etc.
finally, this father's day weekend, i would like to thank my husband for being such a wonderful caregiver. he has supported me emotionally, and sometimes physically, and i will always appreciate what he has done. i know that i can always count on him to be there for me. he has been there through the good, the bad, and certainly the ugly ( think, bald). i could not imagine doing this without him. thank you, sweetheart.
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