General Medical issues thread

[QF WP]

That empty feeling when you leave Hospital after seeing a family member being admitted (planned surgery). Time for a bit of introspection and a healthy dose of reality. Waiting for the call that they are through surgery and back in the ward, ready to accept visitors.

Having said that, my inquisitive side is looking forward to eyeballing the (gall)stone that has caused all of the problems.

Then the relief when they check out of hospital and can go home for some R&R. Surgery (cholecystectomy) appears to have been successful but tell anybody that they can't lift anything for 2 weeks and can't drive (they're on Endone for pain relief). I doubt they'll be a good patient at home

Alas, no gallstone to bring home - when asked, the surgeon advised for OH&S reasons, they are sent to (medical) waste disposal.

 

[love_the_life]

So you didn't get to see it. Your curiosity is unsatisfied then.

 

[QF WP]

Partially satisfied - it showed up on the 2 ultrasounds and 1 x-ray that were taken and I was able to see. Wanted it to show the kids and "scare" them into having a better diet.

 

[Flying mermaid]

After 5 months I am now on a one week (drug) holiday. And not a moment too soon either as it was all getting a bit debilitating. Even my sister had remarked that I was looking a bit frail. Weight loss is a bit of a problem, although I'm about the same weight as I was at uni 50 years ago. I was skinny then. Oncologist is suggesting a scan in 5 weeks time and then surgical removal of metastases in lungs - although I they have continued to shrink at the same rate as demonstrated in the previous scan, well I doubt a surgeon would be able to find them. Here's hoping.

good to hear it is going as well as possible. Hope it continues to go well and you can regain weight/strength. How much longer (after they resume), will they continue with chemo or is that an unknown? Keeping you in our thoughts.

 

[QF WP]

After 5 months I am now on a one week (drug) holiday. And not a moment too soon either as it was all getting a bit debilitating. Even my sister had remarked that I was looking a bit frail. Weight loss is a bit of a problem, although I'm about the same weight as I was at uni 50 years ago. I was skinny then. Oncologist is suggesting a scan in 5 weeks time and then surgical removal of metastases in lungs - although I they have continued to shrink at the same rate as demonstrated in the previous scan, well I doubt a surgeon would be able to find them. Here's hoping.

A very similar story (drug fatigue) on the private FB page I am on (Melanoma-related). Surprised by the oncologist's call about surgical removal, but a lot will depend on the scan results.

 

[rogerkambah]

good to hear it is going as well as possible. Hope it continues to go well and you can regain weight/strength. How much longer (after they resume), will they continue with chemo or is that an unknown? Keeping you in our thoughts.

At this stage its a bit suck it and see re the chemo.

The next decision point is dependent on the result of the scan in 5 weeks time. I imagine that even if the result is the best possible (nothing to be seen) I would still need to continue on the medication for a while to make sure there are no metastases remaining in the lungs (or that may have popped up somewhere else).

 

[Flying mermaid]

At this stage its a bit suck it and see re the chemo.

The next decision point is dependent on the result of the scan in 5 weeks time. I imagine that even if the result is the best possible (nothing to be seen) I would still need to continue on the medication for a while to make sure there are no metastases remaining in the lungs (or that may have popped up somewhere else).

That makes sense - hopefully all goes well and it won't be too much longer.

 

[Cossie]

Missed the last rung climbing down a ladder! Now sporting a backslab, cracked scaphoid, Possible cast for 6 weeks, not happy. At least when I fell backwards, I was telling myself to keep my head up.

 

[rogerkambah]

Missed the last rung climbing down a ladder! Now sporting a backslab, cracked scaphoid, Possible cast for 6 weeks, not happy. At least when I fell backwards, I was telling myself to keep my head up.

Oh no. Not good at all, sounds like there is a bit of pain involved too. Did the ambos come to collect you?

 

[Pushka]

Missed the last rung climbing down a ladder! Now sporting a backslab, cracked scaphoid, Possible cast for 6 weeks, not happy. At least when I fell backwards, I was telling myself to keep my head up.

Ladders should be banned.
Hope you feel better soon.

I heard screaming one Sunday morning and my next door neighbour had fallen from the ladder. Ambulance retrieval and she had compounded fractured ankle, two broken ribs and subsequent lacerated liver, and knee damage. She took 12 months before she came close to recovery.

 

[love_the_life]

Missed the last rung climbing down a ladder! Now sporting a backslab, cracked scaphoid, Possible cast for 6 weeks, not happy. At least when I fell backwards, I was telling myself to keep my head up.

That's terrible news, Cossie. Take care of yourself and hope there is a speedier recovery than you think.

 

[whatmeworry]

I have missed the last rung on a ladder. Thankfully not too much damage.

Dad when building his house lost his balance on the first floor and broke both legs.

 

[Pushka]

Standing on a chair is also dangerous. My brothers MIL broke her leg when the chair slipped and she got the leg caught but she fell.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Missed the last rung climbing down a ladder! Now sporting a backslab, cracked scaphoid, Possible cast for 6 weeks, not happy. At least when I fell backwards, I was telling myself to keep my head up.

sounds bad! Even worse when it is such a silly accident

 

[rogerkambah]

Let's face it. This living is damn dangerous.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Standing on a chair is also dangerous. My brothers MIL broke her leg when the chair slipped and she got the leg caught but she fell.

hmm - I tend to stand on chairs.....I had to use a ladder to clean the tops of the windows recently, but I made Mr FM hold it for me. I have always hated being up high, but this time I actually felt quite shaky going up and down the ladder so I think time to add this task to the outsourced list. I have always got the outside of the windows cleaned but liked to do the inside myself.

 

[Quickstatus]

We outsource anything that requires a ladder.

Though I hired a 10 meter diesel mobile knuckle boom lift to fix some floodlights once and clear guttering and trim some branches. All terrain but ground has to be more or less flat.

 

[JohnK]

Missed the last rung climbing down a ladder! Now sporting a backslab, cracked scaphoid, Possible cast for 6 weeks, not happy. At least when I fell backwards, I was telling myself to keep my head up.

I fell backwards off a ladder when I was 24. Never sought any treatment but could be the reason of some of my issues nearly 30 years later.

 

[rogerkambah]

I fell backwards off a ladder when I was 24. Never sought any treatment but could be the reason of some of my issues nearly 30 years later.

Could be JohnK. At that age most of us thought we were invulnerable and did not seek medical treatment if there wasn't much bleeding or bones sticking out and we could walk away.

 

[AnnaB]

Well... having a CT scan tomorrow to find out if I have tumours on my pituitary gland making me feel the way I do or if I am just getting old before my time At least I have a doctor who wants to explore all eventualities instead of just treating the symptoms. At least some of the test results shows that there is a reason for me being the way I have been lately... my poor husband has not had a few easy weeks... or months (years)
Hoping for the best... dont have time for this now, I am planning a holiday