Tree frogs and even MORE updates: neurologists and neuroses

[la_belle_laide]

And yet more updates, I apologize.

Yeah, I always have to mark down in my journal the first night I hear tree frogs, and they were out tonight.

My Uncle came to my Mom's house and I went to meet them outside, then we drove to the hospital to see Gran. Chrissie stopped to pick up Celie and they followed about a half an hour behind.

As far as Gran's condition, I don't have to describe it any more than I have. She's barely lucid and mostly incoherent. It's terrible to see her like this. Everyone hung around trying to talk to her and not having much success.

Then, this fantastic neurologist came in. I don't say that lightly, either. He was the kind of dude where, after he leaves, everyone in the room goes, "I like that guy." Well, he said that Gran's GP sent him but he was unsure of why. We started describing the situation. He was very optimistic, because he was so certain that this incoherence is a result of the infections she's fighting, and the massive homeostatic imbalances (CAUSED BY PILLS.) He was super nice, and he totally reminded me of Gene Wilder. I asked him how familiar he was with Lewy Body disease and he looked a little surprised and, at first, dubious. Then he said, "Did she get worse with Haliperidol?" and everyone was like, "OMG YES." And I added, "And she has these insane dreams and she acts them out." He practically leaped out of his chair saying, "R.E.M. BEHAVIOR DISORDER!" and I was pointing frantically at him going, "YES!" The he said, does she walk like this?" and he imitated her exact walk: small, shuffling steps with hunched shoulders" and we all went, "YES!"

He said he was pretty sure in that case that she did have LBD, and that even though this current behavior would clear up by flushing out the toxins and getting her hydrated, she would still have it afterwards. But it is NOT as bad as she is now.

Then he asked me, "What field do you work in, if you don't mind me asking?"

I told him I was in school for alternative medicine and he said, "Oh, in Syosset?" I was like, "OMG, yeah! But I'm kind of rethinking it. I think I'm more western than that."

Then he told me, "You just have to do whatever works."

Anyway it was very interesting.

When her cardiologist came in, he was a lot less optimistic and a lot more worried. She nodded off in the middle of a sentence and he got really nervous. He was like, "That's just not normal." (I wish doctors would talk to each other.) He also said that her liver values were elevated consistent with a gall bladder attack, though she is likely too weak for surgery. And although she is in dire need of fluids, her heart isn't strong enough to deal with too much fluids so they had to go really slow.

He also admitted that most of this was doctor error. BECAUSE THEY DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER.

At one point it seemed like Gran wanted to sit up in her bed. (This was after Uncle Don left.) Mom and I decided that we would use the sheet behind her to pull her up. Only, I thought she wanted to sit up straight and my Mom thought she just wanted to sit up higher. So in three, we both pulled. Mom pulled the sheet up and I pulled it over, and Gran looked like, "What the hell is wrong with you two?"

It shouldn't have been funny, but it was. Then all of a sudden, Mom, Chris, Celia and I were laughing hysterically. Like full on, can't-breathe, eyes-tearing hysterical laughter. And Gran sat up and went, "oh ha ha!" which just got us all going even more. I felt guilty about laughing--not because she was hurt or anything, but because I always feel like I should never laugh when I'm worried--but I couldn't help it.

I don't know what that is about me, where I always feel as if I should be morose when I'm worried, and that I shouldn't even smile, because if I do, somehow I'm not acknowledging whatever I'm worried about, and things will go badly.

Right now--having more hope about Gran being okay, or at least back to how she was before last week--my real worry is Haku. not only do I hate leaving him there, and for an MRI and spinal tap no less, but I just know it's going to be something so weird and unexpected. I can just about hear the doctor explaining this to me already, and I don't even know what it is yet. The phone has that ring to it when it's something bad, and while tomorrow can't come fast enough, I'm also dreading it. I spent much of the day looking up all the different reasons for dogs to have seizures, and none of them are anything good, and some of them are really bad. How strange to go from thinking it was such a common and treatable thing to just feeling like it's going to be the worst. And yet I also get the feeling that it will be something totally unexpected, something that will lead to more questions and tests. The vet who did his surgery was really confident that it was idiopathic epilepsy, and she said that the other options were pretty remote. But Haku's neurologist was concerned because salukis hardly ever get epilepsy, and also because of how his hind legs were responding.

More than that, you know that if something has a remote chance of happening, it will happen to this dog.

And here's how much of a dickwhistle my ex boss is. I read the report on Haku's surgery and it looks like the surgeon requested Haku's records from him about his freaking bizarre chryptorchid surgery three years ago, and he never sent it to her. I suspect it's possible that he just got rid of the records. The write-up says that they were just "not available at this time" so I suppose it's possible that in all the hustle and hurry she never got around to requesting them, but OTOH it is so him to ignore a request like that out of spite.

If only people knew the kind of douche he truly is, and the levels to which he can sink.

Dick.

Well, now I'm just stalling for time because I don't want tomorrow to get here. I should stop that.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I don't know what to say, I just want to let you know I'm reading you and love you and am thinking about you and Haku.
I forgot to sign ME on the comment to the other entry. ME

[shonagonchan.livejournal.com]

Aww thanks Mom, you don't have to say anything; it is what it is.

How about that douchebag though? OMG.

[(Anonymous)]

You should always laugh when you're worried - don't sweat that.

It sounds like your Gran has a good doctor taking notice of her, and it doesn't hurt to have someone medically inclined/informed (you) on the roster. Your mentioning LBD and catching his attention is going to raise her standard of care.

And Haku (great name BTW). If it's something terrible, he couldn't ask for a better person to walk by his side through it. And though you mentioned his isn't a common breed for IE, it still sounds viable. Josie's hind end is weak for 2-3 days after a seizure - she "spins out" on our tile floors a lot during those times.

I'll be checking back to hear the news. Keep your chin up...

Becki

[shonagonchan.livejournal.com]

Becki, thank you so much. These words mean a great deal to me.

It never occurred to me about his hind end being weak because the seizure was recent. That's a very good point.

Ahh, the name Haku, I'm guessing you know what that's from. Sometimes I like to be a total douche and tell the vets his full name: Nigihayami Kohakunushi. They always give me that, "Okay, pretentious freak," look. ;)

And, logically I know you're right about laughing. :)

[silverhawthorn.livejournal.com]

Then he told me, "You just have to do whatever works."

What a great doctor! It's wonderful that he's willing to listen to the people in the room, and take what they say into consideration. You must have felt so hopeful!

And I understand what you mean about not laughing -- I feel that too, though for me it's more the fear that people will think I'm "faking" being sad if I laugh or smile when I'm supposed to be depressed.

But you should always laugh, you should always smile. They're the best gifts we can give each other. :)

[shonagonchan.livejournal.com]

I also thought that was a terrific (and unorthodox) thing for him to say. I was so heartened.

So many doctors brush people off, it's refreshing when there's one who really seems to take in interest.

That's interesting that you feel that others will think you're faking. It's strange you should say that; maybe I feel like that too and I just don't know it. Although even alone I always have that neurotic feeling of some random power looking over my shoulder making sure I'm taking this stuff seriously enough.

O_O

Neurotic to the core.

[silverhawthorn.livejournal.com]

I never worry too much about whether or not I'm being observed, but I think the faking thing came from wondering if I really felt anything back when I was a kid and a teen -- I never trusted the validity of my own emotions, thought perhaps I was just going through the motions and fooling even myself.

Wow.

I need therapy. lol

[shonagonchan.livejournal.com]

I don't think you do! I think that many of us really question our own depth and honesty. In fact, I think it's probably the best of people who question themselves like that.

Maybe not the most mellow, however. ;)

I sometimes envy people who go happyassing through life without wondering about things like this. :)

[silverhawthorn.livejournal.com]

Maybe not the most mellow, however. ;)

And it takes up so much damn time!

I almost took Happyassing 101 back in college, but there was a seminar on "Hamlet" being offered at the same time. Alas.

[(Anonymous)]

I didn't know that about his records. I thought they HAD to send them when they're requested. Do you want me to call and ask why they weren't sent? I will gladly do it! ME

[shonagonchan.livejournal.com]

Not yet; only because I'm not sure if the surgeon actually asked for them. Maybe she didn't get around to it?

It just really seems like something he would do.

Also it's possible he got rid of them.