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Monday 29 August 2011

BAD BLOOD

Health wise, I have lived a pretty charmed life, especially for a guy who still smokes far too many cigarettes.

Unlike most guys that I know, I made a decission some years ago, that it was a good idea to actually go to a doctor whenever I was suffering from unexplained symptoms.
Actually I have always been moderately careful since having a malignant growth cut from my arm at the age of 12------but a lot more alert since my brother died of cancer at the age of 44.

So since that time I have a full check up every year and every three years I let some surgeon take a magical mystery tour through my colon----my father had two bouts of colon cancer and my brother died of secondary cancers to an advanced colon cancer.

Last week I made my appointment with my local doctor to have my check up. He was quite amazed with his initial findings from an aging smokers body but of course was obliged to give me the mandatory anti smoking lecture----I didn't have the heart to tell him that I smoked twice as much as I was prepared to declare to him. He then passed me over to a pathology nurse to take sufficiet blood to do a myriad of tests.

Now this lady was not young and I'm guessing that she had a fair bit of experience in her field, but she had great difficulty in extacting blood from me---said it was my fault---I should drink more fluids and doctors should tell fasting patients to drink plenty of water before presenting to have blood taken---she tried both arms at the inner elbow and my right wrist but extracted a minimal amount---she told me how good she was and divided the sample into three and said that it would be sufficient.

Two days later I received a phone call advising me to come and see my doctor as soon as possible---the caller was the nurse at the doctor's practice so I asked if my blood results were that bad----she said that they weren't good, so I asked her to get another pathology form from the doctor so that I could get more blood tested at another pathology firm---I told her of my experience with the pathology nurse and how small the samples would have been-----she told me to come in straight away and she would take the blood for testing.
She was shocked to see the bruising in both elbows and my right wrist but miraculously extracted plenty of blood for all of the tests to be done.
She called me two days later and asked that I come and see the doctor, but at my leasure.

The doctor was amazed at the two tests----said he was very worried at my acidic levels in the first test and how fast my blood had coagulated during testing----but the second test showed everything was fine except my colesterol levels----funny about that Doc, but I have an underactive thyroid and take medication for it---he looked at my records and smiled.
You see, if you have an underactive thyroid, no matter if you are on medication, your colesterol levels are elevated naturally.

The doctor did tell me that if he was guided by my initial blood test, he would think he was working on a man with kidney and liver failure and that my life expectancy was minimal---
Lucky I had that second test

There is nothing like a second opinion

8 comments:

Macy said...

I hate blood tests with a vengeance. And incompetent nurses who bungle them.
Ack. Can't even read about them...

mapstew said...

About a week before my youngest was born (13 years ago) I was rushed to hospital with 'impending death'! (Kidney stones!) Long story short, a week later the doctor said he was a bit concerned about how my right kidney looked on the x-ray. "The problem is with my left kidney" says I. No definitely the right kidney says he. I actually had to get off the bed and turn the x-ray around on the light-box! :¬)

Clyde said...

Macy

Incompetent nurses, I will agree with you but I really dont mind getting blood tests done---they can tell so much-----and regular testing and check ups give you the chance to modify your life and maybe be healthier

Clyde said...

Stew

Yes, it is hard to find a good doctor----they can all give you an asprin or two but I'm not sure how much you care.
For years, I travelled out of my area because the doctor that I had visitted for years before, shifted---then he bloody retired

UBERMOUTH said...

I am glad to hear that you are fine[and still astute]but now I am worried about an unchecked and growing growth on my arm. :(

Clyde said...

Uberlady

You should know better
You may well we such a young chicky, but check ups are well worth your while-----especially lady checks

elle said...

Uff... you've scared me for a second. :S and that nurse deserves to be punched o_O

Good to know you're fine :)

Clyde said...

Elle

Ha ha ha----I think I've got a few years left---and if not, hopefully I'll get some warning by going for my yearly check-ups.

Yes, I agree that the pathology nurse should know a lot better