Annual Check Up 2010

I finally took care of the lab work and ultrasounds that I had been carrying around since June 2009, and then met with my nephrologist, Dr. Helms, in January 2010. (Ok, 6 months is not great, but at least I finally got it all done.)

My blood work was ok for the kidney function, but still high on my blood sugar. My blood sugar has not been consistent so my doctor is now asking for a regular monthly lab work for one year to ensure that everything is ok. She explained that sudden spikes in sugar can be dangerous as well and wants to be sure that it remains stable. I used to wonder when someone would arrive at the lab and the receptionist would refer to a “standing order.” I always associated that with the elderly subset or someone “really” sick, so I am not sure how I feel about having my own “standing order” now. I am also wondering how I will manage to get to a lab once a month when it took me 6 months to get there the first time, but I am optimistic that I will make this a priority.

My ultrasound was another story. When I arrived, they made me wait another 20 minutes past my appointment time. Now that might not sound like a very long time, but when your bladder is near bursting when you arrive, 20 extra minutes is just torture. When they finally started the ultrasound, I thought it was odd that two technicians were present, but hey, I was just glad they were finally starting and did not think to ask any questions that might delay the process that would allow me to finally void my bladder. A few minutes into the ultrasound, the main Tech began discussing what she was doing with the 2nd tech, which of course took longer. I was a little confused over what was happening, but was just glad when she said I could finally void my bladder before they finished the rest of the ultrasound. When I returned, the main tech left, and the 2nd tech took over. Long story short, the 2nd tech was in training. The second tech took forever and forgot to tell me when it was ok to breath in between images. He then reviewed each of the images with the first tech before they told me it was ok to go. Normally, I would not mind allowing an intern to help with a procedure, but I would appreciate if they had notified me in the beginning. I also did not feel confident with the whole process in the end. When the written report arrived, there were some comments listed that referred to changes in the cysts, but that these could be the result of a “tech error”. I think that was their way of saying that the tech in training really did not know what he was doing without assuming any direct fault. Dr. Helms is now asking that I go to a different medical imaging facility and repeat the ultrasound to ensure that she is getting accurate information. Ugh, another painful bladder episode to come.