Google ImageMike went to the doctor referred by the doctor from the emergency room visit a couple of weeks ago. He had been given steroids at the hospital, a five day course of treatment. That did knock the swelling back, but it returned. Only his right ankle this time, but it was very swollen and very painful.
The doctor today did talk about possible causes. At least it felt like a step beyond agreeing that there was swelling evident. He ordered some x-rays and some blood test and made an appointment for next week. He gave Mike a prescription for the pain, but he did a thorough review of his medications. He asked him to stop taking one for a few days before the blood tests so its side effects would not interfere with a measure of kidney function. I am hoping that the tests will lead to something that can be done.
I do think that I am now committed to attending every doctor's appointment with my dear husband who did not wear his hearing aids because he might hear something he doesn't want to hear. (Do you have any hearing or vision problems? What? Oh.)
Did you talk to your regular doctor about the swelling last summer? No.
Has any one talked to you about low kidney function? No. (They ER doctor did tell him kidney function was low and would need follow-up.)
Why are you not taking a blood thinner? I don't know. (He stopped taking it because he was getting terrible nose bleeds.)
Do you have problems with unusual bleeding. No, no. (Nose bleeds, constantly blood shot eyes, spurting blood from even minor cuts.)
Do you eat a lot of restaurant meals? Use a lot of salt? No, we don't eat out that much. My wife thinks I use too much salt, but I don't think that I use that much. (Here is a man who salts all his food before tasting it--Chinese food, pepperoni pizza, sausage included, even though we don't have that stuff on a regular basis.)
I am sure the doctor must have thought the Bickersons were in his office that day.
Olga, I am so sympathetic with your new role in life. I guess we all face some form of this with our spouses as we age. It is hard to be the one who takes over the personal lead in our spouse's life. I see it happening to me on rare occasions, but know that someday it maybe more frequent.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing I have always been somewhat of a mother hen...or a nag, depending on how you look at it.
DeleteWell, Olga, you do have your work cut out for you. Thank goodness you were there, and will be in the future. I hope the tests reveal the problem. No knowing the cause of a problem is worrisome.
ReplyDeleteI am the question asker when we go to the doctor. My husband gets annoyed, but we get answers!
ReplyDeleteGood thing you went along. With all that misinformation he was giving the doctor, proper diagnosis and treatment would be impossible. Looks like you have a job ahead of you. Hang in and keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteAnd he is not intentionally fibbing; he just sees things that way.
DeleteOh, I bet the doctor is happy to have The Wife along to get real information.
ReplyDeleteI hope whatever's causing the swelling gets nailed down and fixed in good time.
He was clearly not happy to see me there when he first walked into the examining room, but I do believe he saw the need after all was said and done.
DeleteWhy are men like this? My husband is the same way, but he no longer takes me along to doctor visits. I often think he'll come back with Pinnochio's nose, but he, like yours, just has a different perspective!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Muff
We were sent to the medical school here to see the specialist of specialists about Bob's blood problem. We were both nervous as cats. The doctor asked Bob if he had any other medical problems and Bob shook his head no, I shook my head yes. I thought heart disease was a medical problem. The doctor got a big laugh out of that.
ReplyDeleteYep, I get it. If he wasn't having a heart attack at that moment--no problem!
DeleteHe is lucky to have you!
ReplyDelete