Category Archives: Other Medical

My Days of Hitchhiking are Over

Posted on by MaryO

…At least for a while.

Today, I made an appointment with a hand and wrist doctor for pain I’m having in my right thumb.  As a pianist/organist/bell ringer/balalaika-ist this isn’t a good place to have pain.

I even have a handle on my coffee cup that’s giving me pain so I’ll have to drink left-handed for a while.

I do have a good brace for now.  Years ago with my knee issues, I discovered BioSkin braces for people –

like me who are allergic to neoprene among other things.

These are the times of doctors – dentist on Friday, dermatologist on Wednesday. hand/wrist next Friday.  Getting old is the pits!

I know what the first 2 do but have no idea about the H/W doctor.  X-rays?  cortisone shots?  Nothing – we’ll watch it and see what happens? Some dread thing I can’t even imagine?

Looking at past posts in this blog, I found that thumb issues have been going on since 2018 but I guess that what the ER did then worked until now!

 

It’s Kidney Cancer Awareness Month Again

Posted on by MaryO

 

Kidney Cancer Awareness is very important to me, because I learned I had it in 2006.

I’m pretty sure I had it before 2006 but in that year I picked up my husband for a biopsy and took him to an outpatient surgical center. While I was there waiting for the biopsy to be completed, I started noticing blood in my urine and major abdominal cramps. I left messages for several of my doctors on what I should do. I finally decided to see my PCP after I got my husband home.

When Tom was done with his testing, his doctor took one look at me and asked if I wanted an ambulance. I said no, that I thought I could make it to the emergency room ok – Tom couldn’t drive because of the anesthetic they had given him. I barely made it to the ER and left the car with Tom to park. Tom’s doctor followed us to the ER and became my new doctor.

When I was diagnosed in the ER with kidney cancer, Tom’s doctor said that he could do the surgery but that he would recommend someone even more experienced, Dr. Amir Al-Juburi.

Dr. Amir Al-Juburi has been so kind to me, almost like a kindly grandfather might be, and he got rid of all 10 pounds of my cancer in addition to my kidney.

More than 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year, according to 2014 statistics.

And although 42% of cases are deemed “preventable”, only 50% of patients survive kidney disease for 10 or more years.  I will celebrate 18 years next month, on May 9!

It’s the seventh most common cancer in the UK and is much more prevalent in males.

But do you know the warning signs of the potentially deadly disease?

The 12 main symptoms of kidney cancer:

1. Blood in your pee  Not until the day I was diagnosed.

You may notice your pee is darker than normal or reddish in color. This could also be a sign of chronic kidney disease and bladder cancer.

2. A persistent pain in your lower back or side, just below your ribs No

3. A lump or swelling in your side (although kidney cancer is often too small to feel) No

4. Extreme tiredness (fatigue) Possibly, although I assumed it was from Cushing’s

5. Loss of appetite and weight loss No

6. Persistent high blood pressure Yes

7. A high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above No

8. Night sweats No

9. In men, swelling of the veins in the testicles Nope

10. Swollen glands in your neck No

11. Bone pain No

12. Coughing up blood No

If you are concerned about any of these symptoms you should see you GP, they will carry out a series of tests, including urine and blood tests, in order to get an accurate diagnosis.

What are the treatment options?

The treatment will depend on the size and severity of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

These are the five main treatments:

1. Surgery to remove part or all of the affected kidney Yes, all plus some other stuff

This the main treatment for most people

2. Ablation therapies No

Where the cancerous cells are destroyed by freezing or heating them

3. Biological therapies No

Medications that help stop the cancer growing or spreading

4. Embolisation No

A procedure to cut off the blood supply to the cancer

5. Radiotherapy No

Where high-energy radiation is used to target cancer cells and relieve symptoms

For more information go to nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-kidney

The 12 symptoms adapted from http://www.dailystar.co.uk/health/605586/Kidney-cancer-symptoms-treatment-males-females-early-warning-signs

Bee’s Knees: Real Groundhog Day

Posted on by MaryO

Sunday Night, February 2, 2025. Still, no one has called to schedule a re-delivery. Surgery is still tomorrow (Monday) morning…

What I wrote for the first “Groundhog day“…

For the saga of my left knee, see these posts: Bee’s Knees

Bee’s Knees: Early Groundhog Day?

Posted on by MaryO

Monday, January 27, 2025. ROMTech called – they plan to take the machine back tomorrow (I asked them to hold off until Wednesday since no one will be home).

They said Dr Alamanda will have to prescribe it again if he wants me to use this.  I am ambivalent either way since I have never used this or seen any benefit from it.

Then this came in my email:

I have no idea what the solution was and I didn’t feel like calling again and listening to Musak. They picked up the machine at 8:30 am on January 29.

Today, January 30, 2025 I got this voicemail:

No one has called (yet) to schedule a re-delivery. Today is Thursday, Surgery is Monday morning…

Friday, January 31, 2025. Still, no one has called to schedule a re-delivery. Surgery is still Monday morning…

Saturday morning, February 1, 2025. Still, no one has called to schedule a re-delivery. Surgery is still Monday morning…

So, here’s what I wrote for the first “Groundhog day”…

A few days ago, I got a call from my insurance company letting me know my surgeon had prescribed a ROMtech machine for me. That was the first I’d heard of this thing. With all the other stuff going on, I didn’t give it another thought until a woman called on 12/29/24 and said they’d be delivering this on Thursday and someone would call me on 12/31/24 to tell me the time. She only asked me what room i wanted it in, my height, if I had a straight back chair and confirmed my surgery date.

Of course they didn’t call on New Year’s Eve so I didn’t give it another thought until the next day, New Year’s Day. A guy from Texas with several kids yelling in the background called on 1/1/25 and said he’d see me on 1/2/25 between 8:30 and 8:45.

So, I decided to look into this thing. I checked in one of my Facebook groups – some people had used one of these things successfully. I came across some YouTube videos – mostly company produced – and it looked good. Full of happy, smiling people. Looking back to my first day of PT for my left leg, no way was I happy or smiling.

So, I finally found some other information – even through their videos don’t show it, my chair should be against a wall. We don’t have many of those – we have book cases, pianos, organs, sofas, beds, and stuff. No blank walls. And somewhere I read that I should be wearing shorts when the delivery guy came. I finally settled for capris that I could roll up.

Delivery guy was on time at 8:30. Didn’t care about the shorts at all. <Whew>. He says he delivers/picks up 15 of these things a day! Who knew?

….

This afternoon I have an hour training on the ROMtech machine.

Another day gone.

Meanwhile

For the saga of my left knee, see these posts: Bee’s Knees

Bee’s Knees: Pre-RTKR, Testing and Stuff

Posted on by MaryO

During the medical clearance, the nurse wasn’t happy with my blood pressure so she sent me to my primary care for blood pressure medications. She said if I did that and they faxed her, she would approve my surgery.

I did all that but she lied. She didn’t approve my clearance.

My surgery is now February 3, 2025, time TBD

Another month gone.

Meanwhile

For the saga of my left knee, see these posts: Bee’s Knees

Bee’s Knees: Pre-RTKR, Testing and Stuff

Posted on by MaryO

This morning, I got my surgery time for 9 am on Monday, January 6 – be there at 7. Ok.

While I was doing my pre op testing, my doctor’s office called and said because of the predicted snow (I’m in the 4-8″ band, my surgery would now by Thursday, January 9, time TBD. Moving the surgery ensures that it won’t snow.

During the medical clearance, the nurse wasn’t happy with my blood pressure so she sent me to my primary care for blood pressure medications. She said if I did that and they faxed her, she would approve my surgery.

This afternoon I had an hour training on the ROMtech machine. During that, we had thunder snow. I don’t think I’ve ever had that before. It was 45 degrees when we left the hospital.

While I was napping after all this, I got a call from my surgeon’s office that the nurse didn’t give the clearance like she said she would so the surgery scheduler canceled my surgery.

Of course, it was after hours when I got that message 😦

Another day gone.

Meanwhile

For the saga of my left knee, see these posts: Bee’s Knees

Bee’s Knees: Pre-RTKR, Testing and Stuff

Posted on by MaryO

A few days ago, I got a call from my insurance company letting me know my surgeon had prescribed a ROMtech machine for me. That was the first I’d heard of this thing. With all the other stuff going on, I didn’t give it another thought until a woman called on 12/29/24 and said they’d be delivering this on Thursday and someone would call me on 12/31/24 to tell me the time. She only asked me what room i wanted it in, my height, if I had a straight back chair and confirmed my surgery date.

Of course they didn’t call on New Year’s Eve so I didn’t give it another thought until the next day, New Year’s Day. A guy from Texas with several kids yelling in the background called on 1/1/25 and said he’d see me on 1/2/25 between 8:30 and 8:45.

So, I decided to look into this thing. I checked in one of my Facebook groups – some people had used one of these things successfully. I came across some YouTube videos – mostly company produced – and it looked good. Full of happy, smiling people. Looking back to my first day of PT for my left leg, no way was I happy or smiling.

So, I finally found some other information – even through their videos don’t show it, my chair should be against a wall. We don’t have many of those – we have book cases, pianos, organs, sofas, beds, and stuff. No blank walls. And somewhere I read that I should be wearing shorts when the delivery guy came. I finally settled for capris that I could roll up.

Delivery guy was on time at 8:30. Didn’t care about the shorts at all. <Whew>. He says he delivers/picks up 15 of these things a day! Who knew?

This morning’s PREOP TESTING ORDERS:

Medical Clearance for Surgery by RHC PAT Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

CBC w/ DIFF              CMP                CHEST XRAY 

PT/INR                        PTT                 HEMOGLOBIN A1C               

UA                               EKG                MRSA/MSSA (Nasal)

This afternoon I have an hour training on the ROMtech machine.

Another day gone.

Meanwhile

For the saga of my left knee, see these posts: Bee’s Knees

Bee’s Knees: Pre-TKR, Setback

Posted on by MaryO

So, I’m now on the road to having my right knee done, supposedly on January 6, 2024. All the testing has gone swimmingly.

Except…
I was supposed to have my final “Interview today”. The one where they do all the real testing, including for MSRA.

But that, like so much with knee surgery, turned out to be

I got the call that my nurse had a family emergency and couldn’t see me today. They found me someone else to do the testing. On Friday, January 3. A bit close to Monday if any tiny part of the testing goes wrong.

Yesterday was weird. It was CT scan day. I went to the hospital, filled out the “paperwork”, actually iPadwork, paid my copay, did the interview, got the wristband.

Then they told me I was in the wrong place. I should be across the street. The staff was confused. The staff across the street was confused, too. but they took my paperwork, copay and accepted my wristband.

So, now I wait until Friday to see if my Monday schedule changes or what.

Meanwhile

For the saga of my left knee, see these posts: Bee’s Knees

National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day

Posted on by MaryO

This is a holiday I can really get behind!

Gear up for National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! Happening every third Friday in April, this crucial day is all about purging your home of unused or expired medications that could pose serious risks.

Why should you care? Leftover medications can tempt family members, friends, or visitors, potentially leading to misuse or abuse. Plus, improper disposal can wreak havoc on our environment, contaminating the water we drink and the soil that nourishes our food.

How to Make a Difference:

1. **Survey and Sort:** Dive into every nook where medications might hide — from medicine cabinets to kitchen drawers. Don’t forget to check your pet’s meds too!

2. **Eco-Friendly Disposal:** Say no to flushing meds! Opt for at-home drug disposal solutions like DisposeRx to keep our waters clean.

3. **DEA National Drug Takeback Day:** Got a stash to clear out? Join in on DEA’s Takeback Day, held twice a year for those larger hauls.

Share Your Success: After you’ve cleared out your meds, snap a photo and share it on social using the hashtag #CleanOutMedsDay. Let’s spread the word and encourage others to join the movement!

DisposeRx initiated National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day in 2019 to spotlight the dangers of hoarding old meds. With risks ranging from drug addiction to accidental poisoning, it’s more important than ever to keep our homes safe and our environments clean.

Mark your calendars! This day is officially recognized on the third Friday in April each year. And remember, when it comes to medicine, storage matters. Keep your meds in cool, dry, dark places to preserve their potency.

Did you know? Medications can lose or even increase their potency over time, depending on how they’re stored. Make sure your meds are safe and effective by keeping them in optimal conditions.

Join in making homes safer and the planet healthier on National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day!

 

National Dress in Blue Day

Posted on by MaryO

Blue Dress Day

Anyone who knows me has possibly noticed that I wear blue almost every day.  I think probably 95% or more of my clothes are blue.  My car is blue, several rooms in my house are blue.

Apparently, this national holiday was started to raise awareness about the causes of colon cancer and how to prevent it. I always figured I’d get colon cancer, not the kidney cancer I did get.  My mom, dad and an aunt all had colon cancer – twice each.  Only my mom survived.  She was also the only survivor of a drug trial.  My mom turned 100 in October – what a fighter!

In the heart of a survivor, amidst the echoes of loss and the courage of enduring, Anita Mitchell, a valiant stage IV colon cancer warrior, conceived the transformative idea of National Dress in Blue Day. Haunted by the shadows of her father and a dear friend succumbing to the same stealthy foe, Mitchell was galvanized by a piercing insight: these losses, so profound and personal, could have been averted. With a resolve as unyielding as her spirit, she set out to forge a beacon of awareness in the murky waters of colon cancer ignorance.

In 2006, with a blend of maternal instinct and missionary zeal, Mitchell orchestrated a day of solidarity at her children’s school. It was a day where the innocence of childhood donned the mantle of awareness, with students cloaked in hues of blue, each contributing a dollar to the cause—a symbolic act that wove together the threads of community, empathy, and action.

This spark of inspiration, nurtured by Mitchell’s unwavering dedication, caught the attention of the Colon Cancer Alliance. By 2009, under their stewardship, Dress in Blue Day blossomed into a nationwide clarion call, not just to raise awareness but to honor the resilience and battles of those touched by the disease. The Alliance championed a proactive stance against colon cancer, advocating for regular screenings as a lighthouse guiding individuals away from the treacherous cliffs of advanced diagnosis. Screening, they emphasized, was not just a procedure but a lifeline, capable of reducing the specter of colon cancer deaths by an astonishing 60%.

Armed with knowledge and the power of prevention, the campaign illuminated the truth that most colorectal cancers are not invincible foes but adversaries that can be outmaneuvered. Simple lifestyle shifts—a tweak in diet, a commitment to physical vigor—emerged as silent guardians against the onset of colon cancer. National Dress in Blue Day, thus, stands as more than a day of remembrance; it is a movement of empowerment, a testament to the belief that awareness can kindle the flames of change, transforming the narrative from one of loss to one of hope and proactive living.