posted on October 3, 2000 10:00:16 PM new
We've just been reminded the hard way to always, always, always get a second opinion on medical conditions.
About a month ago my husband was being prepped for gall bladder surgery when the anethesiologist came in and said that he was too unstable to go under for the surgery. She also commented that, considering his condition, she was surprised he had even been scheduled.
Weeks later (and a different doctor) we have learned that the gall bladder was apparently never the problem to begin with - and that the pain control meds, water pills, etc that the original doctor had put my husband on had caused a multitude of other problems. The new doctor has already brought all of those issues back under control (blood pressure, potassium, blood sugar, etc) and is pursuing more indepth testing to find the real root of the pain. I'm nervous about what the test might find - but am also relieved that he didn't have the surgery as scheduled or we wouldn't even realize that there was a possibility of a more serious issue.
We're kicking ourselves now because we stayed with the original doctor even after we began to question his treatment. In the beginning we were frustrated by his "throwing pills at everything" attitude and seeming indifference to the pain my husband was experiencing. The point I'm trying to make is that no matter the "reputation" if the doctors treatment doesn't seem adequate - then trust your instincts and move on to a second opinion.
posted on October 3, 2000 10:06:53 PM newMaui I'm very optomistic with the new doctor. She seems very determined to get to the bottom of it. I'm refusing to believe that it's going to be anything serious... but, so grateful that this doctor is taking it seriously.
posted on October 3, 2000 11:04:16 PM new
mybid,
I wondered where you were yesterday and decide you all were having the operation. I'm sorry to hear that he has to have more tests. Those are a real bummer but at least it will be really determined what is the problem. I wish both of you the best of luck and will be thinking of you.
At least you came home to a funny scene. Animals do help, don't they.
posted on October 3, 2000 11:32:59 PM new
Thanks Calamity He had another sonogram yesterday - tomorrow he's scheduled for what I think they called a liver panel? Then another one to determine the level his gall bladder is functioning. She's being very thorough - I just wish we'd had sense enough to drop the other doctor quicker. Live and learn, I guess.
posted on October 4, 2000 03:00:44 AM new
Hi mybidness,
Hope that hubby is now on the right road to recovery.
I know you've got a sense of humour so after some deliberation I thought I'd post this story.
It's about this Australian chap, who for most of his adult life, suffered terribly with the most severe headaches.
He had seen doctor after doctor and tried all sorts of treatments, all to no avail.
Finally, in desparation, he spent his life savings on a trip to London to see an eminent Harley Street physician.
When his consultation was over the physician gently took him aside and said that before he would divulge his opinion he first needed to know if the chap intended to father children.
Well, the Australian had three children, all grown up, and had no intention of having any more, but he was curious by the specialists question.
The specialist explained that he could cure the chaps headaches with a relatively quick operation, which overjoyed the Aussie. However the operation involved castration!
This was no problem for our australian friend. He would have anything done as long he could get rid of his lifelong headaches.
The operation was arranged and within a couple of weeks it had been done. The Aussie chap was completely free of headaches and had never felt better in his life!
Before coming home, he felt so good that he decided to treat himself to a handmade suit, made by one of Saville Row's most famous tailors.
The measuring was going fine and when the fitter was taking the measurements for the inside leg, he discreetly coughed and enquired from the Aussie how he preferred to"dress".
At first the Aussie didn't understand what the tailor meant and it was gently asked of him did he prefer to let his testicles hang to the right of the seam or to the left.
The Aussie laughed and explained what he had just been through and that it didn't really matter as he didn't have any.
The tailor suggested that it might be a good idea to stick with tradition anyway and asked how it had been pre-operation.
With this the Aussie explained that he was a bit unconventional and had always hung one to the right and the other to the left.
The tailor looked shocked and said " My goodness sir! You should never do that. It causes you the most terrible headaches!"
Bob, Downunder but never down.
posted on October 4, 2000 06:13:20 AM new
mybiddness, hope you soon know the real answer about your husband's illness. tahnk goodness he didn't have unnecessary surgery.
posted on October 4, 2000 08:05:22 AM new
BitsandBobs, thanks for the humor, just had to show my wife your post.
mybiddness, 7yrs ago my wife was diagnoised with Breast Cancer.
The best advice given to us, was by our Famliy Doctor & Nurses.
Second opinions, 3rd and in our case a 4th on procedure was needed.
On procedure. The advice from nurses, pointed us to one of the top doctor's on women cancer in the nation. Located 35 miles from our home. He was also the First name on our Family Doctor's List of opinions.
The Doctor, is located at the Women's Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana.
My wife, is now a cancer survior & she did not have her Breasts removed.
posted on October 4, 2000 05:37:07 PM newFred I'm so glad your wife took the extra steps in finding the right care. I saw a special on NBC tonight about this very subject. They were discussing the differences in treatments according to geographic areas. IOW, if you live in Texas you would be XX times more likely to have heart surgery than if you lived in for example Tennessee. Their analysis was that it was based on what doctors were "used to" prescribing. I'm inclined to think that a lot of the prescribed treatments, etc. are based more on what the insurance will or won't cover. Kinda sad - but that's just another good reason to seek second opinions.
