Skip to main content

Medicine, definitely not an exact science!

If you ask two metallurgists the same question, you're very likely to get two different answers. I know that because I am [was] a metallurgist. I know that also, because metallurgy, like medicine is not an exact science. So you'd think I would have been better prepared for the response I got from the cardiac surgeon when I met with him today.

First off he couldn't believe I'm still walking around, and even able to exercise. Normally he said, he would have admitted me immediately to perform bypass surgery, but there's the problem again with my lymphoma. It's not that he thinks I'm going to die from my lymphoma, and not worth the effort, but he is concerned about what effect my high lymphocyte count may have on the success of the surgery. So before he would proceed, he needs to consult with the hematologists in LA.

He even went as far as suggesting I be admitted tonight, so the hematologist could evaluate me first thing in the morning, and also to keep an eye on me, and start me on blood thinners and any other prep that needed to be done. But after much deliberation, it was decided I would go home tonight, and come back to be admitted first thing in the morning (hopefully I'll make it to the morning), with surgery scheduled possibly for Tuesday, assuming the hematologist gives his blessing, and they can reschedule the other patient already scheduled that day. Otherwise the surgery would be scheduled for Thursday.

Should the hematologist think it too risky, there is the possibility they could still stent the artery, which would certainly be preferable [I think] but that would depend on how far back the blockage was in the ostial circumflex artery, and they need to discuss that with the interventional cardiologist.

You know I never realized there were so many different types of cardiologists. But that's another thing I should have realized as well, since there are so many different types of metallurgists, each with their own set of skills and knowledge.

I just hope they have internet access in the hospital!

Comments

Gerry said…
OMG call if you need anything, sounds like it's kinda confusing but very serious. Good Luck let us know what the schedule is!
Alan said…
I'm sure you'll make it until morning. Also pretty sure the hematologist will give the OK.
My rinky dink hospital has internet access so yours probably does as well.

Good luck. Keep us up to date.
ed said…
good luck and don;t wait any longer than necessary! And if they don;t have internet access, don't have a heart attack about it.
Rebecca said…
Oye gevalt! I feel so bad for having you help me today on the heat treat problem! Why didn't you say something?

May the One who blessed our ancestors, Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless and heal the one who is ill.

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam oseh ma'asei v'reishit

Popular posts from this blog

The results are in

And I am iron deficient, big time. [Which would account for my low hemoglobin] Test Result Ref Range IRON 30 59-158 mcg/dL TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 231 250-420 mcg/dL IRON SAT 13 20-50 % My Ferritin levels were good, but that could be because Ferritin is also an "acute phase reactant", that is sometimes increased with acute or chronic disease. Folate and B12 levels were also within the normal range. The only problem now is determining what is causing the iron deficiency, which in the case of men, is [very] rare. My oncologist has given me a Globin Fecal test to perform, and has scheduled me for a consultation with a colorectal surgeon to discuss performing a colonoscopy, which could be problematic because of my large spleen. In the mean time, I've decided to start taking an iron supplement, it's only the quantity that is causing me some consternation. I've been told by a very knowledgeable person that to overcome an iron deficiency, I need to be taking 300 mg o...

History IS repeating itself

I didn't grow up during the rise and fall of Hitler and Nazi Germany, so for me to claim it feels like those are the times we are living in now, must be taken with a grain of salt. But I have seen enough movies, and read enough history to know, if the times we're living in now are not akin to the rise of a Nazism and Facism in Europe in the 1930's and 1940's, then we're not far off. If you can't see the parallels with Nazi Germany, then you must be living in a different country than me. Republicans and other right wing extremists will stop at nothing to subvert the will of the majority, forcing their beliefs, that they are the superior race and have been appointed by God, to impose their will on America, while they blame all our problems on immigrants, blacks and Jews. As I speak, Mitch McConnell, and his minions are raising roadblocks to all legislation designed to help average Americans under the guise of fiscal responsibility. They condone violent and verba...

This is just one of those days

It's one of those days you just want to sit around the house and do absolutely nothing, or watch some movies you have recorded. It might even be a good day to read a book, if you were so inclined, which I am not. As you should be able to see from the view out my bedroom window, it is raining outside. The rain started last night, and hasn't let up since. I can't complain too much though, as this is the rainy season, and we do need the rain. Plus Monday's are typically my day off from exercise, so I will surprise everyone, and not complain. I just feel sorry for anyone who might be visiting from, say Argentina, like a friend of mine (fellow MCLer), who happens to be in Cambria today. He might be a little disappointed. Fortunately the rest of the week, when he will be in LA, will be nice, and the real intent of his trip was to visit his son in Tahoe, who works at one of the ski resorts, and ski, so I know he's not complaining too much either. This weather will actually...