Sandra Bailey6 said:This might be a silly question, but I haven't quite figured out if a primary care physician can issue a referral—based on the symptoms I'm having—for something like blood work where I don't actually have to show up in person to pick up a physical slip? You know, similar to how you don't have to physically collect prescriptions anymore?
I would assume so, but I’d really love some confirmation before I go ahead and call the clinic.
Real-life situation here: I'm currently in a different city, and I need to get some relatively urgent testing done.
[P.S. I'm not a hypochondriac 😁 far from it; I haven't even seen a doctor in years]
You can definitely use a referral in a different city. The referral just specifies which test needs to be done; it doesn't mandate a specific hospital, which means you can go wherever you want. People living in the suburbs often head over to 6.2 miles a more distant part of town because the wait times are shorter. It used to be that the referral listed a specific facility you had to visit, but they don't do that anymore.
The last time I had bloodwork done was at the beginning of the year. I didn't even need a formal referral because my doctor handled everything on his end. I just showed up, presented my Social Security card, and that was that. As for how one actually schedules these tests... With the doctor I used to see (who has since retired), the medical technician was the one who actually handled all the patient scheduling. From what I could observe, most of the people being seen were elderly. Honestly, it’s hard to fathom how much patience that technician had to maintain with those seniors. 👍 Nowadays, it seems like many people are just booking their own appointments. It really appears that the entire process depends entirely on which doctor you happen to be seeing.
"Unfortunately, the file you requested does not exist" is what pops up whenever I try to click the link.🤔 And honestly, I was quite looking forward to seeing what kind of content was actually waiting for me on the other side of that page. 😁
It seems to me that there is a significantly higher infestation of bed bugs this year than usual. I haven't dealt with this level of trouble in quite some time. They were small, tiny little things; I suspect the eggs have migrated into the hardwood flooring or perhaps tucked themselves away inside the furniture. My comb became practically useless. I took the area rug to the cleaners, laundered every single cloth—including the bedding and towels used during that period—anything where eggs might have been hiding. I even gave Otto—the pup—a bath with an anti-bed bug shampoo and washed all of his plush toys (and he has plenty). While everything was drying, I sprayed Biokill on the furniture, the mattress, and the floors. For the first three days, I focused my spraying on the specific spots where Otto spends most of his time. He still scratches here and there occasionally, so I respray everything once a week. I’ve been getting mosquito bites, as per usual every year. I haven't noticed any difference in the bites themselves, so I assume, most likely, they aren't from the bed bugs.
Richard Sanchez79 said:I haven't seen anyone else discussing this on the forum...
I've been dealing with persistent ear infections for three weeks now. It started three weeks ago in my right ear; my doctor prescribed some ear drops and Amoxicillin Pfizer, which I took for three days as directed. Then, last week while I was on vacation down in Florida, I went diving and ended up with an infection in my left ear. The pain subsided by the second day, but I made the mistake of jumping back into the water immediately, even though I was still finishing my three-day course of antibiotics. Now, two days ago, it happened for the third time—right ear again. I'm taking the medication, and while there’s no actual pain, I’m hearing this bizarre sound. It isn't tinnitus. Certain voices are becoming shrill, and since I work in music, I know what I'm talking about: all tones and music sound about a quarter-octave lower in my right ear. Since the left ear sounds normal, everything just sounds like an out-of-tune orchestra. Does anyone have a logical explanation for this? It's incredibly distracting. Will this resolve on its own, or am I looking at something more serious?
I will share my own experience with you, and perhaps you can draw your own conclusions. My problems started about a year after undergoing radiation for a brain tumor. I began losing my hearing. They actually had to patch the eardrum in my left ear because it had developed a perforation. From the very beginning, my ENT surgeon insisted that I not get water in my ears when washing my hair or when swimming/diving. I use cotton balls in my ears and am extremely careful to ensure no water gets in. Moisture is simply a breeding ground for bacteria.
Many people suffer from diminished hearing due to cerumen (earwax) that naturally accumulates. Over time, impactions form, and most people don't even realize it until they start having trouble communicating. In my case, the issue is that my hearing aid pushes that cerumen against the ear canal, creating a plug. In those situations, even the hearing aid is useless... I'm stone deaf. 😁 I have a follow-up appointment with the ENT surgeon this Tuesday, and I'll be using Vasol to dissolve the buildup—which, for me, has turned into full plugs. As soon as those plugs begin to melt, shift, or move, it happens—since you mentioned music—songs become completely unrecognizable. Certain tones become louder, while others vanish entirely (speaking specifically about the songs and music I listen to). If I were to play those same songs without knowing what happened, I wouldn't even be able to identify what I was "listening" to. It's a living nightmare. 😠 So, yeah, that's the situation. Given that I've dealt with ear issues for years, it's not just the perforated eardrum, but also intermittent infections; I have a diagnosis of chronic otitis media. Honestly, the whole thing is just a complete mess.
Angela Wright said:My dear, please accept my deepest condolences... I honestly don't even have the strength left to comment further. Hang in there and take care of yourself. You've been on my mind quite often.
Thank you all. Honestly, no comment is needed—there isn't much left to say anyway. Dealing with the funeral arrangements absolutely drained me, but things have settled down now that we're just waiting on the probate proceedings to wrap up. As for me, I'll check back in once I get my MRI results. I'm sure they'll be fine. 👍 My appointment is scheduled for May 4th. It means so much that you thought of me.
I am not posting for my own sake—my own checkups aren't until May. I’m writing this because of my mother, who passed away on March 1st due to breast cancer that had already metastasized to her bones. She managed to hold on for three more years. May her soul rest in peace. It is difficult to truly grasp how brutal death can be until you witness it firsthand. About a month and a half before she passed, she lost the ability to even use the restroom on her own. A home health nurse would come by, but eventually, she was moved to a facility in a nearby suburb. That is where she finally passed away after ten days. I don't think I will ever forget those screams of agony. Any slight movement of her body, any shift at all, triggered such intense pain that she would just scream. Even with her pills and patches, nothing seemed to touch it. At the facility, they likely kept her heavily sedated, because it felt like she wasn't even fully present anymore. She barely ate. Every single word she spoke was slow, as if she were gasping for breath just to finish a sentence. I used to buy baby food for her, but she could barely manage half a serving. She had to drink through a straw.
The hospice center in that area is one of the only ones in the entire country providing palliative care, unless something has changed recently. Personally, I wouldn't want to end up there because I know exactly what it's like, but she refused every other option; she was adamant about going to that specific facility. There were eight patients in the room, and almost every day, a bed would open up and be filled immediately. Some of the patients just lay there, looking as though they had already passed away. As for the medical staff... what can I even say? We visited her every single day. I would always ask her if she had eaten, and she would nod her head, claiming she had. But then, on the third day, I’d ask the same thing, she’d nod again, and the woman in the bed across from her would tell me straight up that she hadn't eaten a thing. It wasn't that she wasn't hungry; it was that she physically couldn't get the food to her mouth. She told me that one morning, she actually yelled at a nurse to feed her, simply because Mom couldn't do it herself.
Then, they raised the head of her bed. It was clearly uncomfortable for her because she had retreated to the very bottom of the mattress, lying flat and looking completely disheveled. I went to find a technician to lower the headboard so she could lie flat again. He handled it so roughly that the sudden movement sent her into another fit of screaming from the pain. So, that is the reality of the "end-of-life" wards. We thought we might have had another month or two with her, but honestly, it was better that she left us when she did. When you see and experience all of this, you start to wonder why euthanasia isn't legally permitted. I am certain there are many people who would choose to leave this world on their own terms before they reach a state of total vegetative existence. It is all just deeply tragic.
Angela Johnson28 said:In the meantime, your mother probably qualifies for some home health nursing through Medicare (you should double-check that). A nurse can come by about three to five times a week for anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on what her primary care physician decides is necessary. They can help out with hygiene, meals, managing medications, and things like that—it's not like they're living in the house 24/7 if that would bother her. It might even give her someone to talk to in the comfort of her own home while you figure out your next move.
I am aware she is entitled to home health services. Essentially, it comes down to the primary care doctor determining when the need for assistance arises. I will follow up with her regarding this. Otherwise, she keeps complaining about the pain, yet refuses to take any pills or use patches because she hasn't asked for them. I simply cannot wrap my head around her logic; she is obsessed with the idea that medication—these "chemicals"—are harmful and insists she won't touch them. 🙄She is constantly worrying about the side effects, as if she’s planning on living for another hundred years.
Angela Wright said:Not necessarily. At least you can do something for yourself and your brother. Just drop her off at a care facility and tell her it’s only temporary until a spot opens up in Dover... then you just drive her back and forth, just like she does for you. Once she realizes how much better she feels there, she won't even bring up Dover again.
That is actually a solid idea. 👍 My brother is currently out in Germany. For now, I am going to leave her be, but once things take a turn for the worse, I will bring it up again. Maybe when her condition declines further, she might reconsider. When you really think about it, anyone would find it incredibly difficult to leave their own home. She has lived in that house for over 30 years. Thanks for the suggestion.
Angela Wright, please tell me something intelligent. Next month marks three years since Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Everything seemed manageable back when she could still look after herself, but that's over now. She can't even bend down without struggle, she’s constantly shivering, and she claims she has no appetite, though she still tries to cook bits and pieces here and there. The real issue is her refusal to discuss what happens when she can no longer be self-sufficient, and I fear that time is approaching much faster than she realizes. My brother and I both have jobs, and between our incomes and her Social Security, we could afford to move her into an assisted living facility, but she rejects every single suggestion. There is also the option of hiring a retired nurse to provide 24-hour care at home, but she won't have it. She shuts down every proposal, stubbornly insisting that she will end up in a state nursing home. I can only visit her on weekends, not during the week; the facility where we could actually place her is just in the next street over, meaning she could visit daily, yet she persistently refuses everything. Grandpa spent a significant amount of time in those state facilities, so I know firsthand how miserable it looks; it is heartbreaking to witness all those discarded people. Grandpa was bedridden in one about five or six years ago, and I find it hard to believe that the dismal conditions have improved. We all know the state of our healthcare system. She could live peacefully in a care facility with their professional nursing, alongside my daily visits and visits from her friends, but no, she won't budge. The only way I can truly help her is by placing her in professional care. This constant refusal—this lifelong negativity—is absolutely draining me, especially since I've been struggling to keep my own head above water after undergoing radiation for a brain tumor. It feels like in this situation, I can't exactly play the "good cop" while being overwhelmed by the reality of it all. My brother works abroad; he found a job there a little over a year ago. Perhaps she expected him to stay by her side, but he simply left, following the path many others take, chasing better opportunities elsewhere. How does one help someone who refuses to be helped?
Angela Wright said:Are you asking me?😁 I honestly think her doctor is onto something... we really need to keep a close eye on how this develops. You have to remember that those markers aren't always the most reliable indicators; even something as minor as a heavy flu could throw the numbers off. Maybe try asking the ladies over in the women's health forum specifically about breast issues. I'm certainly not an expert on that subject compared to them. How are things with you?
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm doing alright. My next checkup isn't until May, and I've been dealing with some annoying ear stuff lately, but nothing major. Otherwise, I'm as fit as a fiddle. 😁
Anyway, I'm going to head over to the women's health section and see what they have to say.
My mother's tumor markers have jumped significantly since her last checkup; they went from 29 up to 42. Her oncologist mentioned it wasn't cause for immediate panic, though.🤔 After seeking a second opinion (from Dr. Miller), she’s currently following his specific regimen—taking Bandronat and Nolvadex. For now, that is her entire course of treatment.
It has been exactly two years since the cancer was first diagnosed. She is still holding up relatively well and remains independent for the most part, but the physical pain is becoming more frequent. As I recall, the prognosis was roughly two years.😢 The real complication here is her refusal to discuss the future—specifically, what happens when she can no longer manage her own daily needs. My brother just landed a job over in Germany, and frankly, I am unable to take on the role of caregiver due to my own health issues.
If there is a silver lining, it's that she seems to be pulling herself out of that constant negativity lately. Or perhaps she's just putting on a brave face for my sake; she's eating healthy and staying active by walking the dog.
What is your take on such a sudden spike in those marker levels?
quietscout85 said:I’ve got an MRI scheduled on the horizon, though I’m seriously doubting I’ll end up getting it done in New York City. I actually took the liberty of calling the Holy Spirit clinic just to check their availability, and goodness gracious, they told me the wait time is roughly six months! Can you believe that? I was reading this recent article about the massive backlogs for magnetic resonance imaging, and honestly, it's infuriating how long people have to wait for basic diagnostics. At this rate, I think I might just drive out to Boise or maybe head toward Portland to see if I can get it handled much sooner...
Back when I was going in for checkups every six months—once I finished seeing all my specialists—I would immediately schedule the next appointment on the spot. Now, I only go once a year, so I make sure to book everything six months in advance: the MRI, the specialists, the whole works. I've followed that routine and haven't run into any issues so far.
Well, I figured it was time for me to weigh in too. I took my mom to see a private oncologist—he used to be with the public health system—and let me tell you, this "specialty" is an incredibly expensive sport. 😢 He went over all her recent test results from her regular oncology checkups and sent them off for additional testing covered by Medicare. After reviewing everything, he switched up her treatment plan (by the way, he mentioned her meds should have been adjusted already), so she’s now taking NOLVADEX (10mg). The costs: consultation $167, specialist board review $700, follow-up $300. 😢
By the way, her marker jumped from 12 to 28, and since the upper limit is 31, her oncologist said it's still technically within the acceptable range. Mom is doing okay for now. She complains about knee pain occasionally, but she's staying active; she’s even been checking out books on the illness and healthy nutrition from the local library. The oncologist told us there isn't a cure, but with high-quality therapy, we can hopefully extend her quality of life. 😢
You might remember me venting on the association forums about a conflict I had with this specific doctor. Well, he recognized me immediately, and we actually ended up sharing a hug at the end.😁
I scheduled an appointment for my mother this Wednesday with my former oncologist, and I’ll be heading there with her. Actually, let me tell you how I went about booking it. When I first started searching for an oncologist, I stumbled upon a site called Healthline. I really liked how functional it was. You just type in the specialist you need and the city, and it spits out all the details. That's how I found my old oncologist and decided to sign my mom up with him. The process was seamless—I even got an email notification saying the request was received and they'd let me know once the doctor confirmed the slot.
The doctor only works two days a week. On Healthline, there were three available slots shown. I was as happy as a kid in a candy store thinking I had everything sorted so easily. I figured once we got the confirmation, Mom and I would just head straight to Washington, D.C.
But then, I started digging for more info and ended up on the website for the medical center where my former oncologist practices. It said he's there twice a week, but the info contradicted what was listed on Healthline. I checked the order again—it said morning. Then I looked at the center's own pages, and it says the doctor works Wednesday afternoons. So, I sent an email to Healthline asking for clarification... still waiting to hear back. I called the center, and since I could barely hear anything over the noise, my colleague at work actually ended up talking to the woman who had booked my mom for Wednesday afternoon.
You really need to book directly. That's the only way to be certain.
I'm honestly glad I caught this. If I hadn't kept poking around, Mom and I would have driven all the way to Washington, D.C. only to find out nothing was actually happening. But oh well, everything works out in the end.
Angela Wright Asks: I honestly don't think chemo is the right move here; it feels more like radiation and what was discussed earlier might be the way to go. I'm just not sure if her private doctor even has the authority to prescribe radiation treatments. You’ll probably have to drive her all the way up to Washington, D.C., or something along those lines. I really don't know what else you'll have to do. 🤷
She was supposed to undergo radiation therapy after completing a total of ten rounds of chemotherapy. They kept telling her it was the next step, but then they just backed out at the last minute. 🤷 I took it to mean that everything had already gone to hell, so there was honestly no point in putting him through the agony of radiation. It makes absolutely zero sense for a private practitioner to handle the transcription work only for the hospital to pick up the tab and cover the costs themselves. There is simply no logic to it. 🤷 I know firsthand that in situations like this, the waiting period is absolutely soul-crushing. I might start by offering a "different perspective," and then we'll just see where things go from there.
Rachel Wood27 said:I definitely wouldn't sit around waiting for an oncologist to get back from vacation. That private specialist everyone raves about is Dr. Sammy based out of Washington, D.C. (you can find his info online), so you could at least give him a call to see what the next steps should be. If he were to prescribe some kind of therapy, I don't believe she'd have to pay out of pocket; from what I understand, she’s entitled to covered treatment regardless of whether she sees a private specialist or not. By the way, Sammy usually sends his patients over to the main hospital for their chemo sessions.
Personally, I’d try to get a hold of my own mother's oncologist on the phone just to ask for some advice.
Right, I completely forgot that patients actually have the right to seek a second opinion—see, I see how it is. But honestly, calling a woman who is clearly running herself ragged because she's working solo, especially with the number of oncology patients climbing every day... I just don't have the heart to do it. She’s probably counting down the minutes until her vacation just to catch a breath after a pace like that. For now, I can afford the private route, so I’ll make the call. To the main hospital? It would be a total joke if we ended up seeing the exact same oncologist. 😍
I’m dealing with my mother’s situation right now, and honestly, I have no idea which way to turn. 🤷 The latest bone scans show metastases near adjacent vertebrae, and the results are significantly worse than the last ones. Her appointment with the oncologist isn't scheduled for another two months. To make matters worse, the only oncologist at the General Hospital is heading out on vacation for a month. The only help we can get is through an internist, but they don't have the authority to prescribe anything necessary. I’m wondering if it would even be possible to take her to a private oncologist to see if they could start chemo immediately, though I assume she’d have to cover the entire cost herself. 🤷
Robin Grant8 said:Thanks for getting back to me 🙂. I have a few more questions.
Is your hearing any better after the surgery?
How did they clean out your ear? About three years ago, I had a perforated eardrum and went to the Mayo Clinic. They used water to clean it even though it was punctured, which I thought was way too aggressive. That's my biggest fear—I won't let them do that to me again. I'm worried they might make things worse, so I'm thinking about trying a different hospital instead.
How did they clean my ear? Once they finally managed to clear it out (they told me it looked like I'd shoved a piece of gum right up in there) and spotted the perforation in the eardrum, they told me I have to be extremely careful about keeping water out of my ear, not poking around in there, and avoiding any earwax removal drops since there was so much buildup—basically, just don't touch anything. The surgery was performed at Mount Sinai. 😉 I can't tell you if your hearing will improve after the patching procedure, because I am slowly losing my hearing due to radiation treatment for a brain tumor. I have a follow-up appointment next week. It's been six months since the surgery. I'll let you know how it goes.