Lani,
Isn't it amazing how the dilation helps. I pray that whatever else is wrong can be taken care of as well and that you soon have good health and peace of mind. Uncertainty can be as disabling as physical pain. If you haven't heard from the cariologist, call him in the morning.
RE: the primary dr. I have all doctors I see send reports to my primary so that he has a comprehensive record. The internist I went to before Katrina was so through that when I told him I was going to have catarct surgery, he wanted to know which eye they were doing first.
Malka

Malka,

Yes, when I've had the dilation scheduled each time, I've looked forward to it. You can't swallow, you go to sleep, now you can swallow. No pain, no fuss, just Blessed results.

My cardiologist I've lost all faith in. My PCP let slip (to my son, who is caregiver & about to graduate from CNA training/school) that she would have drained the fluid right away, and then also know if there were cancer cells or not. She said "But I'm not the cardiologist". My gastroenterologist, when I first saw him last Wednesday about my throat, said "You look like Hell. What's going on?". That's when I weighed in at 79 lbs, my chest was tightening up so I had trouble breathing & talking, and I was so weak I could hardly walk even with my cane. He said that fluid around the heart is dangerous and needed to be drained, I was in a lot of trouble, and he sent me to the ER, calling to let them know I was on my way. He said he would take care of my throat after I was admitted.

Unfortunately, the local ER didn't look at my whole body - just my heart. After another EKG, Echocardiogram, and X-rays, they called my cardiologist and he said that draining the fluid is a risky procedure, there was no change since the week before, and send me home. I did NOT want to be in the hospital, but I know I really should have been admitted. My gastroenterologist had fully expected them to start feeding me by IV. My whole body was in pretty bad shape. But then this local hospital is not the greatest. They just killed another man earlier this year because they gave him a transfusion with the wrong blood type.

I did call the cardiologist last Friday, but still no answers or plan of action. If the call hadn't come in from my lung Docs at Shands on Monday, I had fully intended to ask my PCP for a referral to a different cardiologist this week. All family, friends, and any others I get advice from have told me I need to. I just got all caught up in the lung being added to the mix and now it's a holiday 4-day weekend. This cardiologist is the junior associate of the same Dr that my brother and I took my Mom's care from about 5 years ago because of inaction and her not responding well to any treatment he DID give her. She did much better after we had her transferred to another one.

About my PCP - the problem has been changing everything over to her after I started on Medicare & Humana. When I first met her a few months ago, I brought along a 7-page computer printout of my medical history. It's taking time (too much time) to get all the info to her, but we're getting there. She's been an angel and cares about her patients very much (I'm sure especially me ).

Lani

Lani....It must be frustrating to say the least...I am glad you let us all know about your situation...the more positive thoughts and prays can be sent your way!!! I hope you have a great thanksgiving with as little pain as possible and as much food as you can eat!!! There is still tomorrow to get some answers!!!

I do feel better now that I have shared this with everyone. There's just been SO MUCH I've been dealing with and it's just so overwhelming to deal with alone - except for my family, of course.

I do have so much that I'm thankful for today and every day. And I've been able to add another one this year. My youngest son at 22 years old had been floundering around for a direction in his life. He has been my main caregiver for these last three years of the OC experience and the many difficulties along the way. He is now about to graduate from CNA training/school and plans to continue on in the medical field, going for further schooling - maybe nursing or physical therapy - while working as a CNA. This is a direct result of our OC experience and I'm so very proud of him. He's really found his niche in this world and thinks he will probably focus on working with disabled kids in some capacity.

Gramma always said that it's easy to thank God for the good stuff. It's the hard times that it's difficult to be thankful for. Here's just one more example of something really bad leading to something so good.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving,

Lani

Lani

So sorry to hear that you are having to go through all this.

Thinking of you

Karen

My new lung biopsy is scheduled for Thursday at Shands. I feel so much better just knowing that. It's hard to fight a battle when you haven't identified the enemy.

Now if I could just hear from my cardiologist, but his offices are closed until Monday. I'll call then to ask if he finally has enough information from all those tests to make a decision as to why and what/when we do something about the fluid around my heart and all this incredible pain that comes with it. I also don't know yet if the tests showed obstruction of blood flow to the heart (angina). That failed stress test was two weeks ago.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. It helps.

Lani

See I told you there was still Friday to hear something. Just to keep occupied till then. I was hoping for you that you would have heard from all. You are almost there. Keep your chin up and baby steps...Always in my thoughts...

I found out today what a long road ahead after one meeting with physiotheropist wow...I didn't realize the journey...and I have just had the one issue to deal with.

Take care and have a great Thanksgiving!!! small or not thanks comes in many forms.

Wow Lani, You sure are having your share of the troubles. I feel bad for you and if you can figure out how to transfer some of the problems.. put them in my account and between us we shall kick butt on them.. Got ya in my prayers for sure.

Lani, I was reading again the nuclear stress post. I had that 2 times and I never went near a treadmill for it. It is the dye they put in your body that makes you feel that way so you don't have to walk the tread mill. I felt like I had climed Mt Everest a couple of minutes after the dye was injected. I was actually panting and winded real bad. Maybe that's what they did to you??

Lani
Come to think of it my husband had that test done they injected him with something and his heart started to raced. He said it was a non stress test. Freaked him out the antidote worked in seconds literally. Jim I think you handled it better than hubby...lol