The Medical Debacle

 A few weeks ago I began having more noticeable abdominal pains, and had noticed that the abdominal mesh implant was no longer where it is supposed to be. Last week I called my Doctor to set up an appointment and they called me back the next day to set an appointment for today at 11:30. I got a phone call this morning by their office informing me that I was not an active patient, and they would have to schedule a new status, which would be 2-3 months away. I drove to their office and personally showed up for the appointment anyway. I'm like that 😁

 They informed me that since I had not had an appointment with them in 3 years, that I was to add my name to the list to register as a new patient. I brought to their attention that I was in there last year with very severe congestion and breathing problems. They said that was a 'Walk-In' and does not count as an office visit. The reasoning behind that is childish, and I'm not sure how that works, but ok.... whatever...

 This morning I spoke with my Doctors Assistant face to face and explained my situation. They took a couple Xrays to check. After a few minutes the PA came back in and checked my abdomen. She proceeded to tell me that I have a blockage or gas pockets. More than likely that 'blockage' was the meal I just ate before I left the house. The prognosis did not match any of their 'symptoms' of a blockage, but they called it that anyway. Then it was suggested that I increase my fiber intake and drink more water. In her next breath she says 'Xrays won't detect the mesh anyway', even though that was why I was there. They did tell me that they would let the Radiologist look at it, and get back to me. Yes, let a trained specialist look at it also. They know what to look for.

 I'm a bit stumped that I would have to debate with them whether or not my condition is dangerous, and my concerns are legitimate. I'm only about 5 points below qualifying for the Mensa Society, so I have a tendency to look at all the possibilities, and imbue the rationalities that need further inquiry. Even a dietician would approve my diet. The fact that I had increased my exercise to include abdominal crunches beginning about a year ago, that perpetual movement could have dislodged the mesh and began pulling it inside the cavity, as it is attached to the inside of my abdominal cavity. In retrospect, I had noticed the patch/mesh getting smaller over time. It was in the process of internal migration through the path of least resistance. But we'll let the experts figure that out 😉

On the other end of the spectrum, if it is not a problem with the mesh, which I doubt, the possibility of Ulcers still exist. I've had several before so it wouldn't surprise me if I had an ulcer as well. They didn't even consider that. I may be experiencing some underlying stresses and anxieties, which may have compounded the situation.

So while they take their time with a diagnosis, I'll continue to do my best. I had to stop with the ab crunches just as a precaution. Apparently this will be a battle of attrition with modern medicine and 'protocols', but so be it. My Father was a part of US Navy JAG and a fair authority. That's where I get it. Anyways, I'll update this blog as more info comes in :)

4/11/21: Still waiting for the clinic to contact the surgeon at the hospital to arrange an appointment for a CT or MRI to locate the patch. The don't seem to be in much of a hurry since their Radiologist says the Xrays were 'normal'. And I don't want to be all crippled up on my vacation. It would be a bad image when I get there. 

4/20/21: After waiting for so long, I called the clinic again and left a message with the Referral Nurse, and yesterday I got a return call that they have forwarded my medical records to the surgeon, who should be contacting me soon for an appointment. I need to go to the clinic tomorrow to sign Release documents so they can retrieve the records from the original surgical implant. Finally the rolling ball is gaining momentum.

4/24/21: So far no word back from the surgeon. It seems like all of these folks are taking their time, like they're shopping for just the right patio furniture. I signed the medical releases and hoped it would help to expedite the process. They cannot contact the surgical group that put the mesh in. It was over a decade ago. Businesses close every day. As far as I see it now, it's a bit more important to get the damn thing out, then they can play with it all day if they want. Just get it done. 

4/25/21: I had decided I was going to call the surgeon on Monday to arrange an appointment, but I just received a letter from their office in the mail. I have an appointment on May 19th. I'm ready to get started. This thing is getting more uncomfortable by the day. It feels like the mesh is trying to attach to a few organs. So an MRI/CT will have to happen first to determine the extent of the migration, then the surgery, then the recovery time. And if I survive it, I'll be offline a bit more than usual. I'm pretty sure they'll have to open me up like a fish to get to it. But it is progress. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger, and I'll have to start my exercise routine all over again. I have also been taking Kratom on occasion just to ease the pain a bit. It is still legal here in the US. Good thing about Kratom is that it targets the same pain receptors as opiates do, but without the side effects, and the addiction potential. If I also have a stomach ulcer along with this mesh problem, it would also explain the additional discomfort. I don't show it, but I can sometimes worry too much about things. 

4/30: I was kinda hoping to get this abdominal problem taken care of sooner, as I also wanted to have my eyelids done before my vacation. It's frustrating now as my eyes always feel like they're half closed. I'm also sure they will want to have a closer look at these black spots on my skin, but I refuse to do chemotherapy. Firstly because I don't want them killing my immune system. They're good at that. Secondly it is far more than I can afford. I'd rather be normal and financially stable than terminally ill and poor.

5/5/21: It's now 2 weeks until my appointment. Still patiently waiting. It's hard not to do my exercises during this, but I don't want to complicate things. Still watching my diet, and I'm still very slowly losing weight. I'm down to about 156 pounds now. I think I'll be happy at about 145 pounds. Some days I want to eat everything in the house, but I know better 😀 

5/15/21: Just a few days before the appointment, and I'm starting to get butterflies in my stomach. I'm a bit nervous about the recovery. I know my Mother will be there, but beyond that, it will be rough to do it alone. I've had to do it several times already, and it's frustrating to have to do it again. It isn't much of a comfort knowing that, going into this. But we all have to do what we have to do.

5/19/21: Today was appointment day, finally. It only took 6 weeks lol. I got to speak with the surgeon about my dilemma. And after a brief conversation, she checked my abdomen, and could not locate the patch either. They are setting up an appointment to get an MRI scan done so they can locate it. Once they find it, they can start thinking about how to get it out and clean up as they work their way out. Right now it feels like a dishrag floating in the sink. On the bright side, I've lost 2-3 more pounds.

5/28/21: It's Friday evening and still no call about my MRI appointment. They said it would take a week, but it looks more like 2 weeks. I'm trying to get this done efficiently, but they're having nothing to do with that notion. 

6/3/21: Still no callback about my MRI appointment. I'm beginning to think I'll still be in the late stages of my recovery when my vacation comes up, and some pain and discomfort won't stop me. I'm headstrong like that. 

 Just before their offices closed, I got the call I was waiting for. I have a CT Scan scheduled for next week, and the followup scheduled a week after that. We can then discuss the Pre Op situation. Hopefully we can get the ball rolling soon. This Post Op recovery has been stressing me out for a while. And after a while of recovery, when I'm half way normal, I can then arrange to have this tooth pulled. It has been cracked in half for over a year. I can feel it clicking around every time I brush my teeth 😇

6/4/21: Did a bit of research on the CT/CAT scan technology. It turns out that there is a 1:2000 chance that it could disrupt my DNA or give me cancer. I got that info from a leading medical website. CT uses low energy gamma radiation where an MRI uses magnetic resonance. I'm not too fond of the possibilities of detrimental effects, but it is what it is. The surgeon never considered the possibility of an invasive exploratory surgery so CT Scan it is. It won't be the first time I've been irradiated. I had 2 heart stress tests in the last 7 or 8 years where Sodium Thallium was injected into my bloodstream for their diagnostics. At that point I was mildly radioactive. I could tell because I have a NukeAlert device that warns of potential airborne radiation. I had to place it far away for a couple days until the radiation dissipated. It was beeping when I was close to it. I'm sure I'll be radioactive for a day or two after the scan. After it wears off, we can determine the date as to when they'll open me up like a fish and fix the problem. Until then, life goes on 😊

6/12/21: CT Scan is done. I have an appointment next Thursday with the surgeon to discuss the findings. The CT process kinda pissed me off. I get there early, hoping to be in and out within an hour. After I got in I waited a while to get signed in and registered. About 20 minutes after that, some guy brings me a tall styrofoam cup and hands it to me. He tells me I need to drink most of it, and then wait for 1 1/2 hours for it to 'work' before the scan. So in disgust, I sit there for well over an hour before I was called in for the scan which took less than 10 minutes. I'm a very patient man, and I have no issues waiting for things. I have the patience of a Saint. The fact that they didn't tell me anything about the wait when they called to confirm the appointment is what tipped it. Anyways the scan is done, and now I can leave. I had gone without food for about 20 hours, which isn't all bad as I have fasted for that long before. But just to make sure I ate well, I went to Applebees and had a Bourbon Street chicken and shrimp meal, with a side of Hot Wings. On the brighter side, my NukeAlert didn't show any signs of radiation, so all is good :)

6/17/21: OK, got back from the Surgeons office after reviewing the results of the CT scan. They say they don't need to do surgery. On the other hand, they said they don't know where the mesh is. They 'think' it has 'incorporated' into my innards or my abdominal wall. I can tell you now that the mesh is no longer on the outer abdominal wall. I've had it for 15 years, and I am well aware of where it should be. Anyway, they told me if my discomfort persists they will check again. So with there being no surgery, I asked them about physical activity like exercise. They say there is no problem, so I am setting up a Gym membership very soon, and getting back to my ritual. I'm also going to get a fishing charter and go after giant catfish (80+ pounders), since I will save a boat load of money by not having to pay for surgery.  So this will wrap up this blog. If anything changes, I'll update it.