Medical update
Things are slightly improved for my ex-husband. The rehab hospital found a medical problem that had escaped detection by the regular hospital, which I find interesting. My ex has started PT and OT and all the T’s.
I’m planning to go over there in the afternoon, observe, and annoy them by asking too many questions and making a few suggestions.
What a blessing! So glad to hear this. Prayers for continued progress.
“I’m planning to go over there in the afternoon, observe, and annoy them…”
Heh. I have found that people who know what they are doing, and really care about the patient, don’t get annoyed when you ask questions. In fact, some of them seem to enjoy explaining things. So, annoy away! And good luck.
Good for you, Neo. Always ask questions. If I was given the runaround, I said you are violating my Wife’s Patient Rights. That got everyones attention.
…and annoy them by asking too many questions and making a few suggestions.
neo:
Give ’em hell!
Keeps them on their toes.
huxley:
They already hate me 🙂 .
I think high quality diagnoses are something of a lost art in my medical community.
It seems to be focused on high volume and rapid guesses as to the most probable diagnosis.
I guess the smart people in my area drive up to Stanford.
Yup, annoy them.
Good news, but annoy who? Surely not the Rehab that found the problem?
The interesting thing about the current system is that the ‘Ts’ spend more actual contact time with a patient that anyone else.
I refer back to my comments about Hospitals and Hospitalists. Personal contact and continuity in care went out the window. I am thankful that the system was not yet endemic when I had my AFIB and Heart failure. The same Cardiologist was in my room every morning, with his entourage of Fellows and Students, and oversaw every test and procedure. He sees me every few months to this day. I sure hope he will again be in my hospital room if I need a Cardiologist.
Bless all the Ts and Nurses, said the Father of an Executive level T in a major Rehab Hospital, and of a Nurse. I have never met one of either who was not a caring soul. Opinions may vary.
Oldflyer:
The rehabilitation found a problem that the hospital had missed. That was good. But there are still plenty of things to annoy them about.
high quality diagnoses are something of a lost art
The best doctor I ever had would start with a careful examination of my hands and feet and go on from there. He actually looked at me. My experience these days is that the younger doctors rely on tests and don’t actually examine you very much.
Make’m squirm!!!
neo:
Indeed it is wonderful news for you and your ex-husband. Not as bad a the blind squirrel, a doctor no doubt?
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Yo, Chuck. I remember those guys. They would also talk to you, and listen.
We actually see a PA for now, as both my wife’s and my PCPs are too busy to see patients. She is old school.
Good news. Glad you are willing to annoy them, Neo. It takes some backbone to stand up to the medical establishment these days.
I have been hated by both nurses and doctors who have been taking care of my wife. They considered me “overprotective.” Bah, I’m just a simple papa grizzly bear. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
J.J., being protective of your wife is in your job description. Good work!
Oldflyer, a hospitalist saved my husband’s life a few years ago. He followed up on an almost-fatal simple back surgery, did a couple of tests, and told us my husband had a pheo (pheochromocytoma). Our internist scoffed until I waved the tests at him and asked him to look at them. He did, over the weekend, and referred us to the best endocrinologist around on Monday morning.
Wowsa! Pheochromocytoma.
THIS rare disease discovery afflicting your ex- sounds VERY significant. Even though rare, it has a complicated assortment of prognoses, if my quick read of the Wiki entry is adequate, in part because the etiologies are quite varied.
IT IS a long and detailed entry, mentioning that a support and advocacy group for sufferers is available.
Because of extremely early in life PTSD and adult adrenal deficiency, I pay close attention to this gland and my own hippocampus.
For the nerds following me, I notice that a character in “Greys Anatomy” in season 7-8 is discussed at Wiki.
Also, an early “House, MD” episode, and President Dwight D Eisenhower!
Neo’s ex keeps interesting company!
EXCERPT from Wiki:
A case of pheochromocytoma was featured in the first episode of season 2 of House, M.D.. Dr. House and his team are tasked with diagnosing and treating an inmate on death row. Although the patient has a violent history of homicide, Dr. House suspects that his episodic rage and aggression may be caused by an adrenaline secreting tumor. Dr. House is able to locate the tumor and diagnoses the patient with pheochromocytoma. Dr. Foreman, one of the doctors, attempts to appeal the inmate’s death penalty on the basis that he was unable to control his actions due to his tumor. This kind of legal defense is rarely successful, however.
Famous People with Pheochromocytoma
President Dwight D. Eisenhower experienced several cardiovascular events, including a heart attack in 1955 and multiple strokes, alongside documented episodes of severe hypertension throughout his life. Despite extensive medical evaluation, the underlying cause of his erratic blood pressure remained undiagnosed until his death in 1969. Autopsy findings unexpectedly revealed a 1.5 cm pheochromocytoma in the left adrenal gland, suggesting that the tumor may have contributed to his hypertensive crises and potentially exacerbated his ischemic cardiomyopathy. The case underscores how even a sitting president could have this rare tumor go undiagnosed for years, despite extensive medical care.
________
THIS (above excerpt) is from the end of the Wiki entry on pheochromocytoma.
Earlier in Wiki, an undated study [circa 1980s? my guess] by the Mayo Clinic gives us a sobering statistic on pheochromocytoma sufferers.
Examining 44 cases of pheochromocytoma in the decades before 1977, it found that only in 24% of the patients got proper diagnosis made while living!
Therefore, Kate and Neo’s former husband may be fortunate patients in more ways than already mentioned by our hostess and commenter.
@Neo, your ex-husband is very fortunate to have an advocate so willing to engage. You’re racking up the kharma miles ! I hope he has turned the corner and his improvement is steady and his healing complete. Get well soon.
Did Neo say her ex has a pheo? My (not-ex) husband had one; actually, since it wasn’t attached to his adrenal gland, it was technically a paraganglioma. It wasn’t malignant, but it was certainly malevolent. After several weeks on very powerful blood pressure meds, he had risky abdominal surgery and the blob, the size of my clenched fist (and I’m not a small woman) was successfully removed. Three different specialists sat on the side of his bed and told him he is “one lucky bastard.” He tells people he had a failed autopsy, which is about right.
Kate:
No, he doesn’t have whatever that is.
I didn’t think so, Neo. TJ, above, was confused. I really hope your ex’s problems can be treated, or at least that he can be made more comfortable.