12/21 marks the last day of Fall and tomorrow (12/22) , the first full day of Winter: The Winter Solstice. I'm looking forward to gaining a few more moments of daylight as the days progress. Unfortunately, the Winter brings my least favorite weather: snow; cold; ice; and host of other meteorological 'joys' that demand immediate attention. As has been the case, time will fly by and we'll be changing the clocks ahead. Until then: wait and see.
I had my follow-up visit with Dr. Pare for my abdominal aortic aneurysm (Triple A). Six months ago I was given good news that my malady had no changes in size. Unfortunately, I did not receive the same prognosis after today's ultra sound.
Dr. Pare said, "Last time your aneurysm was about 4.8 to 4.9 cm. Since then it is now measuring 5 to 5.1 cm. I don't want to alarm you, but we are now at the point were we need more information. I will order a CAT scan at Holy Family to have a better view. Based on that, we can make a determination on the next step. I believe that a relatively non-invasive stent can be placed at the site. Let's see what the CAT scan shows. We'll make an appointment today for sometime in January." He asked if I had heart troubles, pains, shortness of breath, to which I responded no. I did say that there is a history of heart disease in my family. After wishing me happy holidays, I was told to button up and see his assistant on the way out.
I walked by the assistant's office when I heard my name being called. I went in and she (didn't get her name - she had an accent) told me that I would need blood work and insurance authorization before scheduling. In addition, I would need a follow-up with Dr. Pare after the scan. She will call me over the next few days once the insurance company gives approval. However, she said that I could go anytime for blood work. While I was in Methuen, I decided to head to Holy Family to get the blood done.
All of my blood work had been done at the Dana Farber Cancer Care unit, so I went there first, but I was directed to the main hospital. Upon entering the lobby, I was greeted by a woman who looked at my work order and directed me to the lower level. I found room G-21 and immediately recalled that I was there during the reconstruction of the Dana Farber lab. I entered, spoke with the reception and was told to wait to be called. They weren't busy, but I waited almost a half hour. It was lunch time.
A woman walked by and asked if I was there for blood work. [Well dah!!!] Answering yes, she then invited me into her lair. She went right to work and drew blood with a minimal amount of discomfort. Merry Christmas, she said as I left.
So now it's a waiting game. Depending on the results and prognosis following the CAT scan, if I do need a procedure, I will contact St. Elizabeth's in Brighton. I originally went there, but was told to 'take care of the cancer first'. I got the baseline images for the Triple A, at Dr Pare's only out of convenience. If there was no change (as was the case up until today), I would continue to have it monitored locally. Now let's see what the CAT scan shows.
Not the Christmas gift I was hoping for. More to come.
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