I hope the procedure goes well, Katse!

And I'm glad you got the right info!

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It's a good thing you knew something else needed to be done being diabetic. I know I wouldn't have known had I been in your shoes. I hope you are feeling better real soon and that all your planning pays off so they find something to help you with. Sure have missed you around here, not that I've been around as much as I like. To be honest I've been worried about you since Alan told us you had to go to the hospital a few months back.
Here's praying that all will be better soon.

Thanks for the well-wishes, everyone. I actually had a second bout of bronchitis three weeks ago after suffering through span of 26 days of rain in a 31 day period! At least this time around everything cured up with a dose of antibiotics and no hospital stay.

I wouldn't say I'm paranoid about my health, but I try to remain as informed as possible. Some doctors hate patients that educate themselves, but my gp doesn't mind it at all. She listens to my concerns and always considers any alternative treatments I want to try before pharmaceuticals, which is rare. I figure it's my health, so I should really be as informed as possible so I can make the best choices for myself. My doctor is more of a healthcare partner than a healthcare dictator.

There is a joke that says that doctors make the worst patients, because they know so much about what is happening and what can go wrong. That's about the only downside to be educated about your health--you tend to worry a bit more about those rare cases way more than you should!

I'll let everyone know how my tests go. The only part I'm not looking forward to is the IV--I've very small veins and it takes a long time to get a line in, and it's not uncommon for me to have 5 or 6 attempts (or more) between both arms. It's absolutely excruciating and I can honestly say that the IV was the worst part of any of the surgeries I've had.

Katse

And then hospitals say they "don't know what went wrong"!

I'd definitely be making a complaint, tht they did not give all the information required to prepare for the procedure (at the very least - when your Dr referred you, he should have notified them of any pre-existing conditions - such as diabeties!).

You know that you're always in our thoughts, babe, and we'll be worrying until we hear from you (like when you were in hospital...)

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"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart

Sadly, with too many patients per doctor and too many overworked (and often underpaid) support staffs, everyone must be their own advocate and, yes, sometimes, their own doctor.

Basically, you know yourself and your body better than anyone, so if something isn't feeling right, or doesn't seem right, you have to tell someone ... often more than once.

Good luck with your tests, Katse ... you will be in my thoughts and I hope everything comes out okay.

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"It is a rare man that is taken for what he truly is...We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream...." Peter S. Beagle

I wish you the very best, Katse, and admire you for how well you handle things regarding your own health!

On hearing what you had to say about your experience with the hospital I continue to confirm my own partial distrust towards certain places, especially after my long list of unfortunate events connected with hospitals and doctors! But, you cannot avoid seeking professional help when you need it!

The best of luck again, and please keep us informed! You'll always be on our minds!

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!

I'm really worried about you! I hope you'll be alright!

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Banned