My Doctor Visit

[watcher1]

Good news, Bob. 

[Pornhubby]

Really sorry to hear this Bob. Wishing you the best. You know we’ve all got your back. Wish there was more we could do.

[Coach Eric]

Great to hear they lowered your insulin dose.

I switched my diabetes doc to my normal doctor. My A1c at the last visit was 7.3. She’s good with that. As long as I don't’ get over 7.5. They switched my Mounjaro from every 7 days to every 10 days. Of course that means I’ve gained a few  lbs and my appetite has come back.

[Pornhubby]

Really sorry to hear this Bob. Wishing you the best. You know we’ve all got your back. Wish there was more we could do.

I see the post is gone. Or maybe my addled brain just imagined it. But my feelings are the same. Love you bro.

[msslave]

Well another entry in this saga I started  nearly three years ago. In spite of the early predictions by the Docs, I'm still here. 

Saw my nurse practitioner yesterday. We've been meeting every three months for the last couple years.

Most of my blood tests came back normal. My PSA level was up a bit but she didn't seem worried about it. What concerns her is my red blood cell count. It was low yesterday. The worry is it goes.from normal to low. So, bunch of tests to see why it keeps going up and down.

We have another visit in 30 days. Concerning thing is she scheduled me for an hour instead of 30 minutes. In the meantime I can look forward to a bone scan. (About 4 hours on a hard table while they take numerous pictures all over my body) Then CT scan the same day. At least that saves an extra trip to the VA .

Of course more blood tests day of the appointment.

My nurse practitioner is always fun to see. First time I met her after the diagnosis she came in like a drill sergeant telling me all the things that were going to happen to me and what to expect.

Since we've developed a a friendly relationship.

[watcher1]

Well another entry in this saga I started  nearly three years ago. In spite of the early predictions by the Docs, I'm still here. 

Saw my nurse practitioner yesterday. We've been meeting every three months for the last couple years.

Most of my blood tests came back normal. My PSA level was up a bit but she didn't seem worried about it. What concerns her is my red blood cell count. It was low yesterday. The worry is it goes.from normal to low. So, bunch of tests to see why it keeps going up and down.

We have another visit in 30 days. Concerning thing is she scheduled me for an hour instead of 30 minutes. In the meantime I can look forward to a bone scan. (About 4 hours on a hard table while they take numerous pictures all over my body) Then CT scan the same day. At least that saves an extra trip to the VA .

Of course more blood tests day of the appointment.

My nurse practitioner is always fun to see. First time I met her after the diagnosis she came in like a drill sergeant telling me all the things that were going to happen to me and what to expect.

Since we've developed a a friendly relationship.

What do doctors know? Right Bob. 

Nurse practitioners, least the ones I have been in contact with, spend much more time with me than the doctors. And seem friendlier. I actually prefer them to doctors, especially those that seem to prefer quantity over quality.

My last two blood tests showed the opposite, Bob. I have an overabundance of red blood cells so I will be seeing a hematologist next Wednesday.

[msslave]

Well another entry in this saga I started  nearly three years ago. In spite of the early predictions by the Docs, I'm still here. 

Saw my nurse practitioner yesterday. We've been meeting every three months for the last couple years.

Most of my blood tests came back normal. My PSA level was up a bit but she didn't seem worried about it. What concerns her is my red blood cell count. It was low yesterday. The worry is it goes.from normal to low. So, bunch of tests to see why it keeps going up and down.

We have another visit in 30 days. Concerning thing is she scheduled me for an hour instead of 30 minutes. In the meantime I can look forward to a bone scan. (About 4 hours on a hard table while they take numerous pictures all over my body) Then CT scan the same day. At least that saves an extra trip to the VA .

Of course more blood tests day of the appointment.

My nurse practitioner is always fun to see. First time I met her after the diagnosis she came in like a drill sergeant telling me all the things that were going to happen to me and what to expect.

Since we've developed a a friendly relationship.

What do doctors know? Right Bob. 


My last two blood tests showed the opposite, Bob. I have an overabundance of red blood cells so I will be seeing a hematologist next Wednesday.

Maybe we can work out a deal for an exchange so I can have some of your excess of red blood cells. 

[watcher1]

What do doctors know? Right Bob. 


My last two blood tests showed the opposite, Bob. I have an overabundance of red blood cells so I will be seeing a hematologist next Wednesday.

Maybe we can work out a deal for an exchange so I can have some of your excess of red blood cells. 
[/quote]

Sounds like a plan to me. I just finished filling out a pre-visit questionnaire for the doctor and one of the questions asked what caused this problem. I was tempted to answer with, if I knew what is causing this problem,  I wouldn't need to see you but instead typed in, haven't a clue. 😎

[Pornhubby]

I just finished filling out a pre-visit questionnaire for the doctor and one of the questions asked what caused this problem. I was tempted to answer with, if I knew what is causing this problem,  I wouldn't need to see you but instead typed in, haven't a clue. 😎

I have a love/hate relationship with my healthcare providers. It’s all related to something called “risk management.“ They are always looking for a way to avoid being sued. Because they know you’re going to die eventually. They just don’t want to be blamed for it.

So that means a lot of expensive, probably unnecessary, testing. Lots of invasive questioning, and forms. And then they don’t so much talk to you, as read a script to you. The one their lawyers wrote for them.

Americans spend more on healthcare than any other country, but I would guess we’re probably somewhere around number 20. We have a lower life expectancy than most of the industrialized nations. And our health is generally worse. Because we don’t emphasize preventative care. A significant portion of the population does not have access to a primary care doctor. So we wait until we have a “major” health event and go to the hospital.

End of rant.

[msslave]

What do doctors know? Right Bob. 


My last two blood tests showed the opposite, Bob. I have an overabundance of red blood cells so I will be seeing a hematologist next Wednesday.

Maybe we can work out a deal for an exchange so I can have some of your excess of red blood cells. 

Sounds like a plan to me. I just finished filling out a pre-visit questionnaire for the doctor and one of the questions asked what caused this problem. I was tempted to answer with, if I knew what is causing this problem,  I wouldn't need to see you but instead typed in, haven't a clue. 😎
[/quote]

I like it when I walk into the office and they ask how are you?

Duh .. I'm here for you to tell me that.

[watcher1]

I just finished filling out a pre-visit questionnaire for the doctor and one of the questions asked what caused this problem. I was tempted to answer with, if I knew what is causing this problem,  I wouldn't need to see you but instead typed in, haven't a clue. 😎

I have a love/hate relationship with my healthcare providers. It’s all related to something called “risk management.“ They are always looking for a way to avoid being sued. Because they know you’re going to die eventually. They just don’t want to be blamed for it.

So that means a lot of expensive, probably unnecessary, testing. Lots of invasive questioning, and forms. And then they don’t so much talk to you, as read a script to you. The one their lawyers wrote for them.

Americans spend more on healthcare than any other country, but I would guess we’re probably somewhere around number 20. We have a lower life expectancy than most of the industrialized nations. And our health is generally worse. Because we don’t emphasize preventative care. A significant portion of the population does not have access to a primary care doctor. So we wait until we have a “major” health event and go to the hospital.

End of rant.

We switched primary care physicians earlier this year. Wife and I are now with a group who specialize in senior health care. Since I also use the VA, I can have one non-VA primary care physician. On our initial visit, both of us were given complete physical exams that lasted almost one hour. Very thorough.  Unlike the exams we had been receiving before. Unfortunately,  the time dedicated to my physical and the ensuing tests, found things that I was never aware of.  No complaints,  so far.

[msslave]

Yesterday I visited my eye doctor. At my last visit a couple weeks ago she said explained there was bleeding behind my retina that made a bulge causing blurred vision.

She said come back with a driver and to think about needles 🤯.

Yeah an injection of medicine directly into my eye. It sounds worse than it is. Easy to say I guess.

Anyway, I went in and new pictures showed my eyes had actually gotten better since last visit. Doc said she was leaving it up to me if I wanted to have the shot or wait and see if things continue to get better.

I went in prepared for a needle so I said let's do it. It was no big deal... just sounds bad.

My eye was scratchy all night and I missed out on greeting the trick or treaters when they came. Our change in the weather cut down on the numbers.

I woke up this morning feeling fine.

I really admire the Doctor. She is the best I've had at explaining everything in terms I could understand.
Does so much to inspire confidence. Now it's wait and see how the first treatment goes.

[Pornhubby]

Great news Bob and thank you for the update. I was worried about you this morning, and wondered how you’ve been doing.

It seems there are fewer trick or treaters since the pandemic, in general. There is so much fear mongering, I think people are finding alternate ways to celebrate at churches and schools. I just don’t see kids crowding the streets like they used to.

[msslave]

Thanks for worrying. I'm doing ok, just very tired with all the testing. Seems every test leads to new tests

The VA is very thorough.

It keeps me from posting as much.as I want to.

I love you guys and I'm hanging in there...

[ObiDongKenobi]

Bob, your bravery knows no bounds.  I would be terrified of an eye injection.

[Writers Bloque]

Bob, you are in my prayers. I have no doubt you will get through this and be better for it.

[msslave]

It sounds much worse than it actually is. There's not that many nerves in the eye. I hardly felt anything.

The Doctor did say she's seen observers pass out tho'.
My wife had multiple eye injections so I was able to talk to her about it plus what the doctor told me.

There were some numbing drops put in my eye first. The only side effect was my felt itchy the rest of the day
 By morning everything was fine.

[MintJulie]

Thanks for worrying. I'm doing ok, just very tired with all the testing. Seems every test leads to new tests

Tests tests tests.  I'm sorry.
Sometimes I feel like we are crew mates in the same boat.  Two more doctors visits for me in the coming days. 

Stay strong. Love you.

[msslave]

Hello my true friends. I know I'm way behind in my posting and letting you know what's going on with me. I'm not sure exactly what's happening with me. You're using words I don't understand. I'll have to get them written down so I can go to Dr. Google

Basically what's put me in the hospital was a serious heart attack. It was sneaky as it did not have the usual symptoms. It was just me kind of going bananas sitting at the table like a statue and the wife unable to rouse me The doctor s have been able to figure it out. It's some kind of hypostatic blah blah blah. I need to get that written out so I could look it up on Dr. Google

I've been in the hospital for over a week now. The doctor came by today. She said they've done as much as they can for me here. I've been stabilized with drugs including blood thinners.

The next the next step for me is moving to some sort of rehab facility. Apparently they don't think I'll be there that long. I just need to get functional again so I can get home to my dear wife.

Basically what I'm told is it is that my problem is with my blood pressure not keeping up with my movements. In other words, if I'm sitting and then go to a standing position, the blood ends up in my feet and it doesn't rush up to my head the way it's supposed to. Some of the drugs they've given me are supposed to help out with this.

So here I sit waiting to find out information about a rehab center and most important the cost. It's going to hurt us badly and I think we're going to have to do something with the house in order to pay for everything. We've been so happy that we had our house all paid for and the car paid for and we knew we'd have to take some kind of drastic action should there be an emergency that occurred. I guess I'm the emergency and whatever my rehab costs are going to have to use the equity in the house. I'm waiting for a social worker to come by today. Who has information about rehab centers and the cost and how we can pay for. It has left me feeling pretty blue since we've been so proud to have that house as security, but now I guess security is needed

Love to all of you. I miss you much and I'm trying to stay abreast of what's going on with everything. Lord knows I have lots of time on my hands. Bless you all and I will keep you informed with my progress. Thank you

[Shiela_M]

My heart goes out to you Love😔

So scary hearing about the diagnosis. I hope the financials wont be as drastic as you fear. Hoping you're not having to do a reverse mortgage or something like that.

Always thinking of you. Love you Bob💋