General Medical issues thread

[k_sheep]

I really hate my job sometimes. In the last week, our department has diagnosed 3 young people (less than 40) with utterly horrible cancers.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house at one multidisciplinary meeting for one of those (those are meeting where everyone gets together to discuss patients - radiology, pathology, surgeons, oncologists, psychologists, radiation oncologists etc). So next time your doctors or carers seem immune to feelings, well it always hits home sometimes.

Would love to have a quiet wine to toast each of those people but am on call, thus sober. Bah.

 

[Pushka]

I really hate my job sometimes. In the last week, our department has diagnosed 3 young people (less than 40) with utterly horrible cancers.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house at one multidisciplinary meeting for one of those (those are meeting where everyone gets together to discuss patients - radiology, pathology, surgeons, oncologists, psychologists, radiation oncologists etc). So next time your doctors or carers seem immune to feelings, well it always hits home sometimes.

Would love to have a quiet wine to toast each of those people but am on call, thus sober. Bah.

Sometimes it must get too much. Bad things happen to good people.

 

[JohnM]

I really hate my job sometimes. In the last week, our department has diagnosed 3 young people (less than 40) with utterly horrible cancers.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house at one multidisciplinary meeting for one of those (those are meeting where everyone gets together to discuss patients - radiology, pathology, surgeons, oncologists, psychologists, radiation oncologists etc). So next time your doctors or carers seem immune to feelings, well it always hits home sometimes.

Would love to have a quiet wine to toast each of those people but am on call, thus sober. Bah.

Unlike for @drron, as a non-medico there's not an appropriate quick button for me. It must be tough. My best mate died of a brain tumour at age 31.

After seven years on active surveillance for prostate cancer, I had my prostate removed two months ago after it finally (inevitably) up-staged. That cancer is a different kettle of fish than some - provided it's diagnosed early enough...

Keep strong.

 

[cove]

JohnM how is life without the prostate? Most males get pretty curious as friends get treated.

 

[k_sheep]

Unlike for @drron, as a non-medico there's not an appropriate quick button for me. It must be tough. My best mate died of a brain tumour at age 31.

After seven years on active surveillance for prostate cancer, I had my prostate removed two months ago after it finally (inevitably) up-staged. That cancer is a different kettle of fish than some - provided it's diagnosed early enough...

Keep strong.

Mmm one was prostate. And no, not caught early, had already spread. The oncologist very optimistically phoned me to check I was sure it was prostate, not lymphoma. Which is slightly insulting! But I understand she was just clutching at straws.

It just sucks sometimes. But mainly because as pathologists, we are there at the start of the diagnosis and quite often don't see "them" again so it's unusual to hear the good news when people go into remission. So we get a very biased view.

 

[Pushka]

Mmm one was prostate. And no, not caught early, had already spread. The oncologist very optimistically phoned me to check I was sure it was prostate, not lymphoma. Which is slightly insulting! But I understand she was just clutching at straws.

It just sucks sometimes. But mainly because as pathologists, we are there at the start of the diagnosis and quite often don't see "them" again so it's unusual to hear the good news when people go into remission. So we get a very biased view.

Well on the one hand it’s ‘nice’ to hear that the pathologists behind the scenes care for patients more than a slide specimen so thank you. On the other hand I totally understand how not seeing the positive outcomes must leave a gap. Maybe it’s considered as ‘fluff stuff’ but if there is a high stress rate in your profession then maybe missing out on the ‘good news’ is a part of that. Everyone needs to see the positive outcomes of their work but perhaps in your profession currently that means giving accurate results?

 

[cove]

One of my pool friends had about 12 inches of his colon removed. At 78 he is what I would call “tough as an old boot”.
A hundred and fifty sit ups would give you an idea.
Post op the surgeon said he didn’t want to do the operation initially because it might mess up his success statistics.
We laugh about it now.

 

[JohnM]

JohnM how is life without the prostate? Most males get pretty curious as friends get treated.

I can give you details when next we meet @cove. I've recovered very well - but I was very well informed and physically very well prepared. Suffice to say that it is very clear that both are critically important in ensuring a good outcome.

 

[cove]

Great news that the recovery is going to plan JohnM. We are in the US at the moment. Are you coming over?

 

[JohnM]

Great news that the recovery is going to plan JohnM. We are in the US at the moment. Are you coming over?

Heading to South and Central America in June and briefly in LOTFAP in August. Transit only LAX enroute JFK-xLAX-DOH on 20 August.

 

[JohnK]

Just got back from Thailand with wife and daughter. Flu season upon us. I've been discussing flu vaccine with wife. Is there anything we need to consider?

She's not a resident and I'm hoping we can get the flu vaccine shots that are offered in pharmacies.

Also as this would be her first time with flu vaccine do we need to do another flu vaccine after a month?

 

[straitman]

Just got back from Thailand with wife and daughter. Flu season upon us. I've been discussing flu vaccine with wife. Is there anything we need to consider?

She's not a resident and I'm hoping we can get the flu vaccine shots that are offered in pharmacies.

Also as this would be her first time with flu vaccine do we need to do another flu vaccine after a month?

Our Dr has said to wait until early May for the new vaccine and definitely don’t have the one currently availabile from the chemists.
Remember that Flu vaccines have a finite life so the earlier you get it the earlier the immunity runs out.

 

[Pushka]

One jab is enough each year. It’s a different type each year according to their determination of which virus will hit. Not such a perfect determination last year. They are advertising heavily here in SA. I’m not sure if you need a Medicare card to receive the cheaper (normal) rate. I’m not doing it this year. I’ve had it in the past though. MrP always has it. Just make sure you are in ok health when you have it done.
Quadravalent I think is the term used here.

 

[coriander]

Quadrivalent vaccines are the only ones available this year (last year there was option of trivalent as well).

 

[blackcat20]

Work has decided we can either have ours today, or late May. I dont want it today as its too early, but late May seems too late to me. Will book in at my own GP as it will be free there anyway (and bulk billing for the appointment).

 

[JohnK]

One jab is enough each year.

I recall first year I had flu vaccine I had initial flu vaccine shot then follow up vaccine shot.

 

[straitman]

Quadrivalent vaccines are the only ones available this year (last year there was option of trivalent as well).

From the Victorian Seniors Card Newsletter as well as a few other sites.

Get your flu shot

It’s April and flu shots are now available. This year people aged 65 and over are getting a specially designed vaccine that gives potentially increased protection, especially against a strain which is more common and severe in the elderly. For more information talk to your doctor, and remember flu shots are free for people aged 65 and over.

 

[Pushka]

I recall first year I had flu vaccine I had initial flu vaccine shot then follow up vaccine shot.

Not usual. Its just one. And it varies each year. So past immunisation is irrelevant.

The jab costs $10 at our local pharmac_. Faster than going to the GP.

 

[QF WP]

2 hours ago we made the decision to have our dog Lucy put to everlasting sleep.

After a quiet weekend with no walks but a wonderful day at a beach near Scarborough with a couple of hundred photos, we took her to the vet this morning.

He did the exploratory surgery to assess the mass that was seen in her spleen on the ultrasound done on Friday (after a normal 6 month senior dog check up). He operated at 11:30 and rang us to advise that the mass had also invaded the aortic valve and was inoperable.

We had already made the agonizing decision that if it was a negative outcome with little chance of quality or quantity of life to euthanize her whilst she was under.
Still it didn’t make the decision any less heartbreaking when we had to jointly say the words.

Sleep in peace my faithful walking companion. Life is not going to be the same - no licks, cuddles or just lying beside us. Both my wife and I are feeling so empty but in a couple of days she’ll be back with us next to our other dog Bella.

Looks like I’ll have to start riding my bike for my exercise.

RIP Lucy - we loved you so much and you bought so much joy to our family.

 

[Pushka]

2 hours ago we made the decision to have our dog Lucy put to everlasting sleep.

After a quiet weekend with no walks but a wonderful day at a beach near Scarborough with a couple of hundred photos, we took her to the vet this morning.

He did the exploratory surgery to assess the mass that was seen in her spleen on the ultrasound done on Friday (after a normal 6 month senior dog check up). He operated at 11:30 and rang us to advise that the mass had also invaded the aortic valve and was inoperable.

We had already made the agonizing decision that if it was a negative outcome with little chance of quality or quantity of life to euthanize her whilst she was under.
Still it didn’t make the decision any less heartbreaking when we had to jointly say the words.

Sleep in peace my faithful walking companion. Life is not going to be the same - no licks, cuddles or just lying beside us. Both my wife and I are feeling so empty but in a couple of days she’ll be back with us next to our other dog Bella.

Looks like I’ll have to start riding my bike for my exercise.

RIP Lucy - we loved you so much and you bought so much joy to our family.

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Sad news QF WP. Your kids are old enough to always remember the weekend and also today. Take care.