Week 36: Let's play stump the doctors ...
It's about 2 a.m. Wednesday and I'm playing, "Let's see how exhausted I can get without sleeping." It's become a routine game, despite the Ibuprofen and benadryl cocktail I swallow before going to bed.
An even more interesting game I've devised is, "Let's Stump the Doctors."
I've long accepted the fact that my physicians are still learning about Hepatitis C and the PEGIntron/Ribivarin protocol, along with its side effects. Much of what they do is look at the blood work, try to assess what's happening in the body, and then decode that for the patient. In the long run, it is the patient who most often makes the ultimate decision on where to proceed from there.; the physician merely recommends.
My former primary care physician, Dr. Guy, would say, "There's a reason they call this work medical arts."
The latest puzzle I've presented them with is the cellulitis and edema that is running amok in my lower legs, just above my ankles. It surfaced a few weeks ago, though I've been having what could be related bone pain for about a month or so. On Aug. 31, a fairly puzzled and appropriately concerned Dr. Scott put me on Keflex ... 500 mg, every six hours, around the clock.
The Keflex ran out on Friday and I went to my primary care physician, Dr. Bill, on Monday. He, too, was both puzzled and concerned and put me on Cipro (Extended Release) for seven days, culminating with a visit to St. Mary's Wound Treatment Center. He wanted me in there this week, but the center only takes new patients on Monday.
Later today -- actually, a little more than 12 hours from now -- I will again present my puzzle to Dr. Scott ... with a new twist: I have developed knots at various places (around my knees, in my thighs, etc.) that could either be lypomas (according to Dr. Bill), or "gorged" blood valves (as suggested by some other medical folks).
(Incidentally, I should also be able to pick up my latest viral load while I am at Dr. Scott's.)
Quite honestly, I feel like I could be case study for some medical class. Too bad there's no money in that.
Grace and peace ...
An even more interesting game I've devised is, "Let's Stump the Doctors."
I've long accepted the fact that my physicians are still learning about Hepatitis C and the PEGIntron/Ribivarin protocol, along with its side effects. Much of what they do is look at the blood work, try to assess what's happening in the body, and then decode that for the patient. In the long run, it is the patient who most often makes the ultimate decision on where to proceed from there.; the physician merely recommends.
My former primary care physician, Dr. Guy, would say, "There's a reason they call this work medical arts."
The latest puzzle I've presented them with is the cellulitis and edema that is running amok in my lower legs, just above my ankles. It surfaced a few weeks ago, though I've been having what could be related bone pain for about a month or so. On Aug. 31, a fairly puzzled and appropriately concerned Dr. Scott put me on Keflex ... 500 mg, every six hours, around the clock.
The Keflex ran out on Friday and I went to my primary care physician, Dr. Bill, on Monday. He, too, was both puzzled and concerned and put me on Cipro (Extended Release) for seven days, culminating with a visit to St. Mary's Wound Treatment Center. He wanted me in there this week, but the center only takes new patients on Monday.
Later today -- actually, a little more than 12 hours from now -- I will again present my puzzle to Dr. Scott ... with a new twist: I have developed knots at various places (around my knees, in my thighs, etc.) that could either be lypomas (according to Dr. Bill), or "gorged" blood valves (as suggested by some other medical folks).
(Incidentally, I should also be able to pick up my latest viral load while I am at Dr. Scott's.)
Quite honestly, I feel like I could be case study for some medical class. Too bad there's no money in that.
Grace and peace ...
posted by Pastor Buzz at 2:15 AM
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