We have a new doctor at Tripler.
We loved our nurse practitioner, Kathy, but she retired. Then we were assigned to Dr. Jeanne who we also loved. She was terrific. However, after a year or so, she moved to California. Darn!
Now we've been assigned to Dr. Debra and we're on the path to loving her too. However, Dr. Debra is very thorough and she is putting me through a whole bunch of tests from an echocardiogram, mammogram, geneticist to having another (doggone it) colonoscopy and a Reclast infusion. I've had a colonoscopy in 2012, but she says I need another one since my grandfather died of colon cancer.
She also had me get the Reclast infusion because of my broken bones. And yes, I do have osteoporosis and my orthopedic resident doctor did tell me that my broken bones are tied to the osteoporosis.
However, when I checked online, it said I needed to let my doctor know if I've had thyroid surgery which I did in 2007.
Sheesh! Too late. I hope it's OK.
Dr. Debra also told me it's not important for me to take calcium pills because it hasn't really been shown to help people and might not be good for the calcification in the heart. She said it would be better for me to take Vitamin D3.
So much to process.
Ah well... keeping my fingers crossed.
The good part is Dr. Debra says she's planning to stay in the islands and work at Tripler for the next 6-7 years. I hope so.
We loved our nurse practitioner, Kathy, but she retired. Then we were assigned to Dr. Jeanne who we also loved. She was terrific. However, after a year or so, she moved to California. Darn!
Now we've been assigned to Dr. Debra and we're on the path to loving her too. However, Dr. Debra is very thorough and she is putting me through a whole bunch of tests from an echocardiogram, mammogram, geneticist to having another (doggone it) colonoscopy and a Reclast infusion. I've had a colonoscopy in 2012, but she says I need another one since my grandfather died of colon cancer.
However, when I checked online, it said I needed to let my doctor know if I've had thyroid surgery which I did in 2007.
Sheesh! Too late. I hope it's OK.
Dr. Debra also told me it's not important for me to take calcium pills because it hasn't really been shown to help people and might not be good for the calcification in the heart. She said it would be better for me to take Vitamin D3.
So much to process.
Ah well... keeping my fingers crossed.
The good part is Dr. Debra says she's planning to stay in the islands and work at Tripler for the next 6-7 years. I hope so.
It is always an adjustment when a trusted doctor leaves for any reason, but thoroughness is a good quality to come across. Stay well!
ReplyDeleteRecast infusion is new to me.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything goes well.
ReplyDeleteI've done the RECLAST twice, as the Fosomax made me sick. One can only do the Reclast option 3-5 times ever. Don't know my results yet (they're making me wait for year 3 - next spring - to do the bone density test), as well as a third Reclast. Wishing you the best outcome! Laura
ReplyDeleteHard when docs we love move on... Hopefully this one will hang on for a bit.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to have any more colonoscopies. The prep sets me back months with the IBS. I've done Colorguard testing and that will have to suffice.
Keep working on those bones!!
I am 82...nearly 83... and have no sign of osteoporosis. I take a small amount of thyroid med and a small amount of blood pressure med. That's all. I am blessed with excellent health.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard that about D3, I am going to check it out. My doctor knows I take calcium and says that is fine, so I hadn't heard about that negative effect. It is hard to change doctors when you like the one you have, as I do and I hope your new doctor proves to be a gem.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, she sure is very thorough. I too probably should have another colonoscopy, but there's nothing more I would hate. You are brave....thanks for doing all this.
ReplyDeleteHealth issues something important to deal with and worry about...
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best, dear!
ReplyDeleteAging brings challenges. I am on actonel for osteo.
ReplyDeleteThink you should let the doctor know about your previous surgery in case there is anything you should look for or be taking to counteract any effects.
ReplyDeleteLife would be easier if Medicine didn't keep changing the rules and parameters.
It's so important to get a good and caring and thorough doctor.... So glad you have found one... The same thing happened to us one year.. Hubby and I loved Dr. Juarez ---but she was so good that she got a huge promotion to move to Knoxville... Didn't think we'd ever find another doctor which we loved ---but we finally did...SO--I know how you feel!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how meds and doctors keep changing the rules... Take Calcium for Osteo... NO--don't take it... There's so much of that. Makes me wonder what actually DOES help....
Hope your reclast infusion works....
Hugs,
Betsy
I feel so behind the times, I never heard of Reclast. I take D3 every day, since I live in a part of the country where the sun hardly ever shines for most of the year. I do hope it all turns out well for you, and your doctor does sound thorough. I'm on my third doctor in five years. I like her very much, however. They keep moving on! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis post is good timing because I was just going to ask my doc about calcium pills and my osteoporosis...I hate those big pills.
ReplyDeleteWe take calcium, but they keep changing their minds about many things. now I don't know about low dose aspirin anymore.
ReplyDeleteI like her already because of her recommendation of vitamin D3!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of tests and procedures! I guess your new doc will know you inside and out.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of tests! I'm so tired of tests. We're up to 60 appointments for hubby's cancer.
ReplyDelete