[personal profile] rootofnewt
i visited the thoracic surgeon yesterday. he's a cardiothoracic surgery specialist. since none of of my doctors can agree what type of cyst i have, they decided to send me to a cardiothoracic expert... i suppose that was wise.


anyhow, he said that, first things first, he wants a chest MRI to determine more information about where the cyst is and what might be in it. he did state that it's pretty large (closer to a softball than an apricot) and that it needs to come out, regardless. it's not an urgent surgery, although it might alleviate some of my discomfort swallowing.

i told him that we're moving in march (yes, yes, i'll tell you all more about this later), so he suggested i schedule the MRI as soon as possible and asked his assistant to schedule the surgery for the second or third week in april. i'm to consider the date tentative--we can change it, keep it, or cancel it after we talk about the MRI. i won't want to move around much myself, much less move my household, after the surgery, which is why he wants to wait.

hopefully we can keep our current insurance even after we make the move. the main reason to change would be lack of coverage down in albemarle county. i need coverage in DC, however, for the surgery and i do NOT want the plan where i have to pay 80% out of pocket until AFTER this surgery.

i'm pretty much considering this doctor the final opinion. everyone i've seen, from my doctor to the pulmonologist to the three cardiologists, has said it needs to come out. the rest all wanted to do one of two things things--biopsy (either surgically or through the bronchus wall) or removal--with all leaning toward removal.

so it goes. i talked to this guy about my concerns that the neurontin might've caused some of my recent problems--he actually knew about the pericarditis/effusion being a very rare side effect of neurontin... he didn't know about the possibility of increased cyst growth and said he'd look into what kind of cysts were correlated. he answered all my questsions, didn't talk down to me, and seemed disappointed that i didn't have more questions. what can i say--he explained everything very well. ;)

i woke up today to gut-wrenching cramps. ran to the bathroom and nearly lost my non-existent cookies. when i went to the bathroom, i hadn't started my period yet, so i didn't think anything of it--i often get horrid cramps for two days prior to my menses.

half an hour later, sitting in the couch, i reach down to grab a graham cracker crumb that fell down my robe and pulled it out with bloody fingers. i'm glad i was at LEAST wearing underwear. only that was soaked, not the couch cushions, too.

gosh darnit, i love being a woman.

Date: 2002-03-01 07:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mactavish.livejournal.com
i talked to this guy about my concerns that the neurontin might've caused some of my recent problems--he actually knew about the pericarditis/effusion being a very rare side effect of neurontin... he didn't know about the possibility of increased cyst growth and said he'd look into what kind of cysts were correlated. he answered all my questsions, didn't talk down to me, and seemed disappointed that i didn't have more questions. what can i say--he explained everything very well. ;)

What a cool doctor!

i woke up today to gut-wrenching cramps. ran to the bathroom and nearly lost my non-existent cookies. when i went to the bathroom, i hadn't started my period yet, so i didn't think anything of it--i often get horrid cramps for two days prior to my menses.
half an hour later, sitting in the couch, i reach down to grab a graham cracker crumb that fell down my robe and pulled it out with bloody fingers. i'm glad i was at LEAST wearing underwear. only that was soaked, not the couch cushions, too.


What a woman. :)

Date: 2002-03-02 09:41 am (UTC)
ashbet: (Default)
From: [personal profile] ashbet
I'm really glad that you've found a doctor who makes you feel comfortable -- it makes all the difference in the world!! I saw one GYN (re: my latest bout of ouchies, I've probably seen seven GYNs in my life) and two surgeons before I found the one I'm currently working with . . . he's the only one who made me feel like I had legitimate concerns, talked through all the options with me, and didn't act like I was a wuss because I couldn't deal with bleeding for two months at a time, intense pain on a virtually constant basis, and the attendant weakness/fatigue/nausea . . .

MOVING IN MARCH??!! *boggle* Yer damn right you're going to post about it, don't make me come over and pry it out of you!!

*e-mails you a heating pad and a mug of tea*

-- Andi

Date: 2002-03-02 12:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sabethea.livejournal.com
about time you found a sound doctor. they've messed you about too much as it is.

crossing my fingers for you....

Date: 2002-03-02 03:15 pm (UTC)
ext_5237: (Default)
From: [identity profile] chorus-of-chaos.livejournal.com
as big as a softball, wow! No wonder you were having such problems!
Hope the process goes safely.

Female stuff...yep....am gonna be there in a couple days myself. It's gotten to the point that all I have to do is glare at the husband and he says "yeah yeah I know, I should be grateful I'm male!" LOL

Moving? Details?????

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