Unconditional Love

PROCEDURES, test, x-rays, LVAD check ups and doctor visits these are some of the things that can consume your whole day. We are no strangers to sitting in the doctors office for hours or going to the hospital for PROCEDURES or testing. It seems for the past few years we have become frequent flyers to all of the above.

The amount of testing that Joe has been threw is probably more that ten people together would of had in their lifetime. Before he had his stomach surgery in May he had so many tests each week for months. You name it he had it done, CT Scans, x-rays, MRI’s, Heart Cath’s, Upper and Lower GI scans, Ultrasounds, Stress Tests, Blood Draws, GI Emptying Studies, Colonoscopies, Surgeries and DVT Testing just to name a few. With all the tests that he had done you would think there was a book out there just on him. There probably is and we don’t know about it.

I was by his side for each test. I sat countless number of hours waiting for him to be done. As I did this, it was my opportunity to learn about the test. I learned when, how and why they do them. I also learned what they are looking for during the test. Sometimes I would ask if I could sit in on the test. Usually the answer was no, but I always asked just incase I got a nice tech that would allow me. One PROCEDURE I did get to sit in on was called a Thoracentesis. Joe had what is called pleural effusion on the outside of his right lung, an ultrasound tech trained in draining the fluid sticks a needle that is guided by ultrasound to the fluid and then attaches a vacuum sealed container to the needle which then draws the fluid into the container. The tech was very nice and asked if I would like to watch the PROCEDURE, of course I said yes. I was full of questions and came out knowing more about something we had never heard of. This was an interesting thing to watch, the before and after of Joe were so amazing. The medical field and all the test intrigue me somewhat, I wished I had known this when I was younger. I think I would of choose a medical field back in the day.

Like I said in earlier posts, as a caregiver make the most of your situation. If you can, learn all you can about the PROCEDURES or tests that your loved one is having. Instead of complaining while you sit for hours, get a notebook and learn all you can. Educate yourself, be the best advocate in your loved ones corner. It will help the time fly while you wait, it will help you understand what’s going on and you just may find it more interesting that you thought. Knowledge is power and you have the power to learn.

One more tip for all the caregivers, keep records of all the tests, procedures and surgeries. Write down the dates when they had the procedure, why and where they had it done at, this will help with future appointments that you may have.