I'm wondering why the upper endoscopy and colonoscopy have to wait more than 3 weeks. That seems absolutely ridiculous. In addition to the obvious (they can't treat your medical problem until they know what the problem is, and you could be getting worse every day), you have the added stress of having to wait. Just as one small data point, when my W went to the ER last week with abdominal pain, they did the blood work and C.A.T. scan immediately, and would have done the colonoscopy also on the same day if it had been warranted by the blood test results.
I always get the feeling that you are energetic (at least, as much as you can be) when helping others, but too laid back when it comes to helping yourself. It would be totally reasonable and warranted for you to INSIST on getting these tests done sooner. This isn't some kind of elective procedure here, it's stuff that could be life-threatening.
Hey, I'm no doctor (but I'm married to a nurse, so I must be fully qualified, right? ). I'm inferring from your statements about internal bleeding that you must have blood in your stool. As far as I know, the causes for that range from something very benign to something very serious. It would be hard to convince me that it's OK to wait on these tests.
If you are worried about being confrontational or don't feel like you have enough energy to be strong enough for an argument, maybe you can enlist your H to be on your team when you visit the doc. (And if they still refuse to do the tests sooner, maybe its time for a trip to the ER!)
Quote: I'm going to have to be a quick study on how to be ill without being pathetic and express a need for help without appearing needy.
I don't know about that. You don't seem like the whiny type or the type who fakes acting sicker than they are to get sympathy. For now, just be you, and don't worry so much about how your H perceives you.
According to the doctor's office, Aug. 8 is the very earliest they can fit me in. I'm waiting to get my appointment for the C.A.T. scan sometime this week. Believe it our not, the doctor's phonelines were not working on the day of my visit and I haven't heard from them since, so I can only assume that they have yet to be fixed. I find that rather odd.
Yes, there is always the possibility that my condition is benign, but waiting to find out is stressful as you said.
I will try getting a hold of the office later today.
I can only wish that my H will someday show me the same maturity and sensitivity that you have. What a great guy you are! I hope that your W comes to see that in living color real soon. I know that you deeply desire an apology from her and that she is not forthcoming with it as of yet. But I've been watching your situation and I see all kinds of reason to be hopeful.
I know all about the wait for medical tests. When my kidney showed up FULL of stones a year ago April...they booked my CAT scan for....August 21st!!!!
Well I did what Brian suggested....and wound up with a MAJOR kidney stone attack in early June...they DO speed things up when you present at the ER!!
So if your symptoms ever worsen, or the pain is bad (do you have cramping too?) get your butt to the ER. It's PITIFUL how long you have to wait for tests otherwise.
Geesh, I thought that was just a Canadian problem!
Hang in there. When people asked how I was doing last Summer and fall (still ill plus the bombs) I truthfully answered one day, heck, one moment at a time.
Have you ever read "The power of NOW?"...helped me a lot at that time.
I finally got the go ahead to do the first C.A.T. scan this coming Friday. They were going to put it off because Aetna likes to have 4 working days to authorize this sort of thing, but I made it clear that the doctor did not want to wait. So they pushed that one through. My second scan will be next Wednesday.
Yes, I did have severe cramping across my abdominal region. Debilitating actually. I've been alright, gut wise, for most of this week so far. However, I was alright for a while after the first incident on June 30th. Not looking forward to having iodine injected into my veins.
No I haven't read "The power of NOW". I will have put that on my ever growing list of books to read.
Hi Jeannine..first time to post..I will add you to my list for prayers...I was troubled by your story..your health is in major need of attention..I am not expert, but maybe out your h nd m on the back burner right now..get yourself healthy..I did not go back too far, but are you trying to care for parents too!
Beleive me, I have been there..in fact I believe that did not help my m..a few years ago when all these things started in my life my aging father was struggling on his own..I was over there all the time..had 2 sisters who kinda helped..but I neglected myself and my m..my kids too..I missed seeing my son go for his high school diploma because I felt I had to tend to my Dad and sit in the back..finally we decided he had to be in a nursing home...hardest thing I have ever done, but a load was lifted from my shoulders..you can't do it all...I will check in later to see how you are..give yourself permission to not have to feel obligated to anyone right now except yourself.
Sometimes you just have to be assertive when it comes to your health care. I forgot about the whole HMO thing down there.
I had die injected for a kidney series not so long ago and it was minor...I just glow in the dark a bit now!
Any qualms, questions, "details" you'd care to discuss about this journey of discovery and healing (isn't that a better way to look at it than "health crisis?"), KNOW that I am here.
Yes, I do care for my Mom and her H who both have Alzheimer's disease. We all live in the same house, but they do have their own wing seperated by a wall and door which I can lock from my side. Somedays they are quite a handful, my mother especially. Recently, I have had to put her on an anti-psychotic. For the most part the arrangement keeps me on a pretty short leash. For reasons to complicated to go into, we have decided to keep them here for as long as humanly possible.
My H has been staying full time with me this week, upon my request, because the stress of his absence at this time is too much for me, for many reasons.
I so appreciate your stopping by my thread and adding energy to my support.
Hi Jeannine- How are you holding up? Hope your day goes better- get this thing moving and glad to here they are priortizing you to Friday! hang in there girl and lots of people praying for you including me. Glad your H is doing one thing right even if out of obligation. Both of you will feel better about it. Werent you talking about moving your parents? Can this still happen? I think it would be a good positive move you need to make if it is at all possible. IMHO. Take care, keep us posted- be strong Shay
). I'm inferring from your statements about internal bleeding that you must have blood in your stool. As far as I know, the causes for that range from something very benign to something very serious. It would be hard to convince me that it's OK to wait on these tests.
