Monday, February 6, 2023

Reality Bites

 Today was the follow up visit to Erie. 

In my mind, it had all neatly connected up: the cold that turned into a never ending cough, which got him the antibiotics, which led to the C-diff, which led to the dehydration, which led to low blood pressure and the kidney issues, which led to the stroke.  Like dominoes falling, one right after another. The great thing about that, really was that it led me to think that we could simply avoid a repeat of this by making sure that he never, ever got dehydrated again. 

I liked the story the way that I crafted it.  

But the neurologist had a different story. The little things that I noticed: his different colored hands, his tremor, his vocal change, his stammer when he's tired. the fact that it takes longer than usual for him to process a question...all those things they saw too. They also saw things I hadn't noticed. His right eye drifts off to the side. the fact that his left side is weaker than his right (which has the tremors). Lots of stuff. For the first time, I heard it said out loud. The spots on his brain were very small, but there were an awful lot of them. 

They are not happy that he still hasn't gotten a holter monitor yet. They believe that there has to be a-fib. They also believe that the tremor stuff might be seizure activity, so he's off for a EEG. They were very pointed in their discussion. They also consider it very possible that this might happen again. 

It was a quiet trip home. 

The good news is that we found a local primary care doctor. We stopped on the way home and signed the paperwork to get everything shifted from his previous doctor to the new one. She's affiliated with the hospital, so she'll already have access to all of his hospital information. 

I feel much better about that part of things, at least. 



20 comments:

  1. Did they put him on blood thinners, like they would do for a-fib? They could just go ahead and do that and possibly avoid more stroke activity. I am so sorry this has happened to you two, this is hard.

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  2. You have much more information. Some good. Some bad. I hope the system smartens up and looks after him.

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  3. The doctor change is good.
    Big hugs for dealing with the rest xx

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  4. Bloody hell. I'm glad the docs were straight with you both, that's always a plus. If it's a fib, it can be treated. It's so scary not knowing exactly what's going on. I'm sorry. I'm glad you found a new doc though. That's excellent news.

    Sending hugs.

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  5. Great news on the new doctor but the rest is sobering and I don't like any of it. It does sound like Tim is in good hands though.

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  6. It is good news that the doctor and hospital can work together with the click of a button. The news is sobering but a good doctor that is straight to the point is good. At least you seem to be getting the facts and a doctor that seems to care and know what he is talking about.

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  7. Wait and see, I suppose. In theory here if you attend a hospital or see a specialist, the information goes to your personal doctor but that is theory. In practice some medical people, even large public hospitals can be slack.

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  8. Very glad that the specialist was straight with you - and about the new dr.

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  9. Well, at least you aren't going forwards blindfolded now, worrying though it sounds. Thank goodness you have been able to change GP's too and I hope she's a good 'un.

    Keith's last MRI showed white spots on the brain, but apparently normal for his age. Sending (((HUGS))) as this is stressful.

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  10. At least you know more about what you are up against. I only wish it were better news, but you need to know what the truth is in order to deal with it. You and Tim are in a tough situation. I think about you both often, and keep you in my prayers.

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  11. These people seem to be on the ball, but I am sure you wish they were wrong and that you were right.

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  12. Well, damn. I don't know what to say. I am hoping for all the best.

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  13. Glad they are getting Tim on the right track to better care. Better to know what is going on so solutions can be found. Stay strong!

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  14. I suspect this is going to be a long journey of speculative and possibly contradicting information and diagnoses. Step by step is the only way to take it, right? It's great that you got a new PC doctor -- that's a huge step in the right direction.

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  15. Knowledge is power and you are gaining more knowledge. Hopefully the new doctor gets a handle on everything quickly.

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  16. Ditto much of what's already been said. At least you're on the right track now and I'm especially glad you now have a local physician you trust.

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  17. Good luck with all this. You are doing a great job. He is lucky to have you!

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  18. Don’t give up on your theory, especially while they’re still digging around for the smoking gun — it could be a contributing factor even if not the whole story…

    Echoing everyone’s hopes and best wishes for you both!

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  19. The best news is that the new PCP is affiliated with the hospital.

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I'm glad you're here!

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