Brain tumor? Pineal cyst? Pineocytoma? Pineal lesion?
Whatever this 12mm object is in my head ... the doctors have all decided that the risk of taking it out is greater than leaving it in. I feel like I have wasted the last two months of my life pursuing this ... and wasted a ton of money. Furthermore, while I pursued this medical concern in my head, we also pursued a medical situation with my seventeen-year-old son. Long story short, after a lot of doctors and tests and money, the specialist is 95% sure he has Ulcerative Colitis. Which has very similar symptoms as Crohn's disease. There is a small (5%) chance it could still be Crohn's. This is a lifetime conidition that will need to be managed.
So, needless to say, I'm tired of doctor's visits.
However, I found several things very interesting:
1. The "bedside" manner of the pediatric doctors was much more calming than the neuro-doctors.
2. The pediatric medical staff all encouraged me to go home and Google my son's condition while the neuro-people all DIS-couraged me from researching brain issues on the internet.
3. The pediatric specialist was the first to admit he doesn't know everything, but the neuro-doctors all wanted me to take their words as divine revelation.
*sigh*
Enough complaining.
I've decided to move forward. So, starting tomorrow, I will be back to regular blog posts ABOUT WRITING, READING, AND EATING (just as the blog title says). I will probably start posting on a MWF schedule ... we'll see how it goes.
So, check back tomorrow for a new book review. And, thanks for your patience.
That's the thing about some doctors, isn't it? I wish we could all still go to pediatricians!
ReplyDeleteEeep...how disconcerting. I hope that whatever you decide to do is the best answer. Sometimes information and opinions can be so conflicting.
ReplyDeleteOn a good note, a freinds of mine's brother has crones and it is managable. Annoying at times, but managable. I'm more worried about you. My personal feelings. Stay away from the internet if you can help it. There is a lot on confusing information out there and it can be draining on you (us). I hope all ends well. I'm rooting for you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've dealt with neurosurgeons for my daughter and I completely agree with you! I think they spend more time dealing with sleeping patients in the OR than awake ones and have lost some of their "people skills".
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck!
Rachel
Great observations about the Doctors.
ReplyDeleteI hope things start to work out. Nothing worse then spending all that time, just to be told 'We don't know'.
ReplyDeleteMargo,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear things are calming down for you and your family, and that you won't be suffering through the doctor's visits for a while.
Christi Corbett
Sending positive energy and prayers to you and your son! It seems like doctors know nothing sometimes, doesn't it? It makes me want to observe medical school to see what goes on there, ha. Hoping everything works out for the best.
ReplyDeleteWell, yay for finding out that things are *good* inside your brain! Drives me nuts when doctors treat you like you're not smart enough to understand things, not smart enough to already know that they don't know everything so they should stop trying to act like they do. Sounds like the Peds docs were much more my kind of docs. Sending positive thoughts your way, and so glad to have you back!
ReplyDeleteAlso, on a note about your son's prospective diagnosis: Neither Crohn's disease, nor Ulcerative Colitis are fun illness to have/manage. But, I have several friends with either one or the other, and all of them agreed that just getting diagnosed was the hardest part of things. One of the friends has dealt with Ulcerative Colitis for many years now, and he's a successful artist/filmmaker who goes none stop and lives life to the fullest. Likewise my good friends with Crohns have been able to live their lives without compromise, beyond the diets/treatment of their disease. So tell your son it gets better. It really does.
Thanks for all of the comments! You guys are awesome. :)
ReplyDelete