Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Surgery Date Progress

Apache Junction, AZ  High 110  Low 89

We saw the vascular surgeon this morning and surgery will be scheduled for the week of July 13. They need to work with the hospital and the insurance company to get all the paperwork and approvals taken care of. When that is done they will call us with the date for surgery. Making progress.

The following is really for my records and may not be of interest to anyone else.

The surgeon came into the room and told us he was having problems with his computer loading Jim’s information. He sat down and asked Jim a lot of questions about his symptoms and how he ended up getting referred to a vascular surgeon. We walked him through the nightmare of doctor appointments and tests and told him that both Dr. Reuss and Dr. Ross had told us that Jim has a blockage in the artery in his right leg. We also discussed the surgery Jim had done on his left leg in 2012 and the large lump in his groin area that showed up after the surgery.

He then gave up on his computer and went out of the room to use a different computer. When he came back in, he told us that he doesn’t believe that Jim has a blockage. At this point I started to cry from frustration. He did apologize for the run around that we have had but tried to explain that cardiologists don’t understand femoral arteries and blockages. The cramping in Jim’s leg is not symptomatic of a blockage because it is in his upper leg and with a blockage the cramping would be in his calf.

He advised us that the lump on Jim’s left groin should be removed. He said if it was his Dad, he would remove it. We agreed with him although two other doctors had told us it was nothing to worry about. When Dr. Seigrist performs the surgery to remove the lump he will also do an angiogram down into Jim’s right leg. That will give us a definite answer on whether there is a blockage or not.

They will keep him overnight in the hospital. Don’t really know how long the recovery will be because it depends on what they find.

Once the surgeon determines whether or not there is a blockage, we will meet with him to discuss some reasons why Jim’s leg cramps when he walks.

So we are waiting once again but at least this time it is for a hospital room. Definitely progress.

We don’t have very many pretty sunsets this time of year but we had one the other night that was worth saving.

sunset

22 comments:

  1. We're praying for you guys to get through this. There ought to be a GM part that will fix it. Hang in there!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gerry and I are praying for Jim to get through this surgery and have a fast and easy recovery. Sounds like you've been getting the runaround for a long time and I know that would make my blood boil. Hang in there.

    It's been running 20+ degrees over normal here in Montana. It was 97 today when we stopped for the night. Whew!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think i would have broken down also. Sorry you keep getting the run around. Hang in there. Love ya both

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't understand why a cardiologist shouldn't understand arteries. I'm glad the surgeon seems to understand something. Here's hoping for the best.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It sounds totally frustrating. We're hoping for the best for Jim (and you).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well lets hope this fixes all Jim's leg cramps some other problems. Will keep you both in my deepest thoughts for good healing

    ReplyDelete
  7. You need tons of hugs my friend. Good news and bad news all at once. At least something is being done and within 2 weeks which is great. Hopefully the cause of all the problems will be found.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hoping this is a step closer to solving Jim's problem.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Crikey ...... Mum would have cried buckets with all that frustration, too. You poor things. I sure hope and pray this all works out for the best and that Doctor bloke knows what he is talking about. Is Jim sure he doesn't want a second opinion from the Vet. They're real good blokes. Mum and I will be thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Our prayers are along there with you hoping all goes well and a speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  11. sometimes we have to take baby steps to get where we are going... good luck with the procedure...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glad there is progress. I hope all goes well.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How frustrating, makes you think that doctors really don't know what's going on. Hope the procedure reveals what is causing all the problems.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well, I just don't know what to say. Is that good news or bad news or simply frustrating? Probably all three. Good idea to document it all.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well, I just don't know what to say. Is that good news or bad news or simply frustrating? Probably all three. Good idea to document it all.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think I would have been crying way before this. We are so glad you have such a caring doctor. Keeping you both in our prayers for a very fast date.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I sympathize with your frustration. So many specialists know nothing beyond their own specialty that the treat us as if we are not whole beings. I have learned that frustrated crying sometimes helps them listen better.

    ReplyDelete
  18. At least you're getting progress. It may not be much but a little step forward certainly is progress after all you've gone through.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So sorry about the frustrating run around. We sure hope all goes well with the lump removal and there are no blockages. Looks like the guys will be recuperating at the same time. Doug's back operation is the 15th. Nurse Sandi and Nurse Carol!

    ReplyDelete
  20. My prayers for you and Jim. I'll let Jimmy know what's going on. Sounds like you're on the right track finally with this doctor. Our love to both of you. Liz

    ReplyDelete
  21. So sorry to hear you have been through so much with this and still don't have any final answers. I hope the surgery to remove the lump goes well and things fall into place for a very quick recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  22. It sounds like you have a good doctor working with you and that's half the battle. Best of luck for a good diagnosis with the lump and leg blockage issue. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.