Tags
Alzheimer's disease, Aplastic anemia, Arterial blood, Artery, Blood, blood disorders, Cancer, Childhood cancer, Compliance (physiology), Essential Thrombocythemia, Functional magnetic resonance imaging, Los Angeles, Polychythemia Vera, University of California
English: FIG. 513 – The internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Right side. Deutsch: Rechte Arteria carotis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I had an appointment with my oncologist yesterday at Ochsner Hospital. If you follow my blog, you already know that I have two rare blood disorders – Essential Thrombocythemia and Polycythemia Vera. I have also been diagnosed with a rare form of arthritis – never miss the opportunity to be unique! – erosive arthritis.
Yesterday was my six-month blood work and check up. The drama began with the drive to New Orleans, which is about sixty miles from my house. After having to brake and dodge several vehicles, I seriously began to doubt the sanity of the people on the highway! Seriously! Am I the only one who uses a blinker when changing lanes? What happened to common courtesy? Am I the only one who checks their mirrors before changing lanes – with or without a blinker? And am I the only one who doesn’t tailgate?
I didn’t mention about using the headlights because my lights come on automatically when the vehicle is started – if not, I would put them on. How many times would we have not seen a certain color vehicle had it not been for the headlights?
Common courtesy is gone. We pass accidents on the highway and wonder what happened? Well, I’m sure they weren’t necessarily paying attention! Between talking on the cell phone and rummaging on the floor in the front seat or heaven forbid, the back seat, it’s a wonder the highways do not feature one long string of accidents.
What does it take to make us pay attention? I’m including myself, not because of the cell phone or the rummaging through my purse, just because I find my mind wandering at times or caught up in the music – which is why I travel in silence most of the time. I have a zero attention span and bee-bopping to music on the interstate or in the city is just not what you want me doing.
Hubby does most of our driving, all of it if we are going somewhere together. He is a retired state trooper and goodness knows, he’s logged enough hours behind the wheel to be considered an expert. This means, when I drive I really need to be mindful because I’m used to being the passenger and having the luxury of sightseeing.
Back to my appointment. Everything looks good. My numbers are still high, but in the same range as last visit. The doctor did mention that next year when I turn 59 (did I just admit that?) he will begin doing ultrasounds on my arteries and at age 60, stress tests as well as ultrasounds. My blood disorders are sometimes treated the same way cardiovascular disease is treated and as we age, if we have the disease our arteries begin to narrow and this creates additional problems with the disorders. I already have too many blood platelets and red blood cells and if they have to begin pushing and shoving their way through my arteries, let’s just say it would seriously complicate things.
When I reach age 60, the doctor said we will look at all the tests and make an educated decision on whether we start chemotherapy. Chemotherapy to treat the blood disorders means doing chemo for the rest of my life so it is a huge decision.
So, unless there is an unexpected spike in my numbers, I should be good for another two years. That’s good news. I still hate getting stuck with needles.
After the doctor appointment, I set my GPS to find Lumber Liquidators. We are trying to match the wood floor in our boat and we are having a devil of a time! I was following the directions and as we all know, when it doesn’t make sense, we think we know better – even when we haven’t a clue where our destination is! But, I stuck with it and sure enough it directed me exactly where I needed to go. It was a little hole in the wall and I was expecting a big store. For once, I was glad I listened to the GPS.
That’s about all for my drama of yesterday. Hope you had a great day and I’ll meet you right back here tomorrow!
