I am still a medical mystery....

Hello PA friends!

I went to HUP today to see a SECOND hemotologist to figure out my issue with my white blood cells especially my neutrophils. These help fight infection and other technical stuff that I just don't remember right now. I am so tired. Driving downtown, trying to find the darn parking garage, then trying to find the correct building. Then getting there, having blood taken, then paperwork, then waiting, then the drs throwing their medical jargon at you. Don't get me wrong, they were very nice and helpful, but could not give me a definitive answer. Then it took me an hour and a half to get home. Had to pick up Dee at my friends house, then drive home!

Right now, the hemotologist wants to see my old blood work from my GP. Going back as far as possible to see if this WBC issue has always been or if it just came up five years ago. I understand that he needs this info to make a diagnosis. He may also need to do ANOTHER bone marrow biopsy somewhere down the line. He seems to think that I am one of those people that just runs low.

This is SO frustrating! The dr could tell that I was not happy. I told him that I was really hoping that there was something that the other dr missed. A light bulb would go off and voila I have a diagnosis...well, not so in medicine!! Hopefully when the drs go through the bloodwork from the past, it will give them some insight into this issue....

Thanks for letting me vent and I really appreciate all the well wishes on here and on FB!!

I am so lucky to have such great friends!
Love to all, Beth

Beth,

I hope this gets resolved so you can have something more than questions.

Hugs, Laureen

Thanks Laureen!

Beth,

I am sending you patience and serenity to get thru this.  If you don't get the answers you seek, make sure you keep copies of all the studies and see yet another doctor.  There are many good hospitals around. The schlep is a pain, but if you can find a doctor that feel is the one, then it is all worth it.  ((((Hugs )))) 

Thanks Nan! This has been a mystery for about five years now...What is a bit longer???

Beth

Five years is a long time to deal with something that can't be figured out - no wonder you're frustrated! I hope you don't have to go through another bone marrow biopsy - I saw where you said they were very painful? Hugs and prayers for strength and resolution....Kathy

Kathy,


The biopsy was the WORST pain I have ever gone through!! I have had a lot of procedures and that by far is the one I remember as most painful!

Thanks for your strength and hugs! They are much needed!!

Love, Beth

Beth:
Hugs coming to you.  I've found that I need to tell certain specialists that they need to speak to me in plain English and get the medical jargon out of the mix when I do not understand which is most of the time.  My Hematologist at first was very technical until one day I just looked at him and said can you please stop the shop talk, I have no clinical background therefore I need you to give me straight talk that is not medically based.  He smiled at me and said okay and from that day on he's been wonderful at translating all the medical stuff to be simple enough for me to understand.  I also always bring Gene to appointments such as these.  So if you ever need a back up let me know I'll accompany you.....

LIke Nan said, if you are not satisfied with this guys answers after you get all your other records for him and he gives you his diagnisos,  keep all your records together and find another hematologist to see, there is absolutly nothing wrong with getting a thrid opinion!!!!

Take care....

Ida

Thanks Ida!

I will keep that in mind!

Beth

Beth--(((HUGS))) Sorry you seem to keep hitting a wall on this issue. Hopefully when the Dr goes thru all your back lab work he can find something the other dr missed. Sorry you are going thru this!! Good thoughts and positivity are being sent yoour way!!!! If you need anything let me know!

Laura