DOCTOR'S AND MORE DOCTOR'S
October 22, 2:58 p.m.April 2008, I started spitting up blood. Whenever I would clear my throat or cough, bright red blood was always present. Within four months, in addition to that I had a constant burning in the right side of my chest and it was always present, except during sleep.
My doctor put me on acid-blockers assuming it was reflux. Nothing helped the pain or stopped the bleeding. Six months after this started (October 14, 2008) I saw my first specialist for an Endoscopy... all was normal?
To date, I have seen seven different specialists in their respective fields: each new specialist has been recommended by the previous one.
What follows is not a complete list of the battery of tests which have been run, but it will give you an idea of the degree of effort they have put forth to try and find the problem: ENDOSCOPY … TREADMILL STRESS TEST ON HEART WITH COMPLETE CT SCAN (Scan was done at rest and then repeated after stress) … FOUR SEPARATE CHEST X-RAYS … COLONOSCOPY … CAT SCAN (from) CHEST TO PELVIS … (This involved drinking a cold green liquid.) ... BRONCHOSCOPY … (During this procedure at the hospital I woke up about halfway through, I heard the surgeon say that I was bleeding from both sides of my nose. It was after this happened that she sent me to a doctor specializing in ear-nose-throat.) 3X FLEXIBLE LARYNGOSCOPY … CAT SCAN OF SINUS REGION … RIGID LARYNCOSCOPY … (Done under general anesthesia.)
Even though I can (whenever I have been asked to at the various doctor's offices) spit up blood on demand, they still can not find the source. The last doctor who asked to see me do it actually “scoped” me within seconds of seeing me spit up blood and he could find no wounds or “streaking,” which should have shown a trail that could possibly lead him back to the source.
These all have been highly qualified and respected specialists in their fields. In addition to their practice, at least two (presently) teach at the college level and one was chief-of-staff at their hospital. Also, thanks to (mainly) insurance: money has apparently been no object. To give you an example: The stress test (just by itself) was almost $8,000.00, and it is not the most expensive test which was ran from the above list!
As of this time I only have one more test scheduled. My last specialist wanted the Endoscopy procedure repeated, but this time with a different specialist just in case something was missed? That is scheduled for November fourth.
These tests have shown a few things, but not what we were originally looking for. There is some sort of problem with an area on the left side of my heart and I have COPD. I do believe that for the most part the doctors I have seen have been concerned, now though I think (coupled with concern) they are also intrigued that they can't find the source: regardless their best efforts.
I will tell you one brief story to sum this story of mine up. To my primary care doctor, and using my fingers, I ticked off … one-by-one … some of the many tests I have had done. Then I said, “Surely, if there really is anything there then they would have seen it... right?”
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Not necessarily... things are missed all the time.”
There is no orifice on my body that has not been invaded by man/woman and (or) machine. Pride, what pride? I have been reduced to a sideshow. Things which have been done to me by some in the medical field I am certain is illegal in many countries of the world... just kidding. But I am not kidding about the things that have been done to me.
After these experiences I don't know if I will ever be able to, in the future, enter a doctor's office without automatically getting naked. I imagine the following scenario might one day play out.
(Receptionist) "Mr. Johnson, wait in that room for the doctor."
(Me) "Okay."
(The doctor enters the room) "Mr. Johnson, why are you completely undressed, I thought you were here for a hangnail?"
"I am, it's just that everyone else for the last couple of years wanted to see me without clothes... I figured you did as well."
In finishing this blog I will give you one sure fact. If you ever have to see very many doctors because of any illness, if you had any modesty before... you won't when they are done!
Things, at least for Christians would have been a lot easier just 2,000 years ago. Find the Lord, or any of His apostles and ask for healing... no machines... no tests... just healing, marvelous and complete healing!
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com
posted by Robin Johnson @ 2:58 PM
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