Has It Been A year Already?

I had my annual Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) endo-vascualr repair (EVR) check up at UMass Medical in Worcester with Dr Schanzer.  Being in Worcester and the morning commute, I set the alarm for 6AM (it's still dark outside).  I had been fasting since last night, so there was little to do before I started my trip at 6:30AM.

Traffic was heavy, but moving.  I arrived at the parking garage and managed to check in at their suggested time of 7:45AM.  I waited to be called for my ultra-sound.  Around 8:05AM, Cindy called my name.  She grilled me for my vitals and showed me to the examination room.  I was instructed to lay on my back and loosen my pants and raise my shirt.

Once situated, Cindy squirted some heated (thank you) jelly onto my stomach.  She began the task of pressing, moving the metal stylus over my abdomen.  She used her 'free hand' to tap her screen and enter information.  Compared to other visits, this seemed to be talking longer.  I didn't want to ask, but I had the feeling something was amiss.  After many minutes, she asked that I lay on my side.  This was a first for me and only solidified my feeling of something not right. She asked me to go back to lying flat on my back then later back to my side.  All I could do was comply and hope for the best.  Finally she was done.  No words were exchanged as to the reason for the elongated session and I didn't ask. She accompanied me to the waiting room and said I would be called to see the Nurse Practitioner.

Not too long after I was called in my a medical professional where she bought me to an exam room. She took and recorded my vital signs and entered the information into her computer program.  Once she was completed, she instructed me to remove my pants and socks and put on a hospital 'johnnie'.  Upon her departure, she indicated that Shauneen would be with me shortly.

It was only a few minutes when the Nurse Practitioner, Shauneen  arrived.  After exchanging pleasantries and checking some 'housekeeping items' she mentioned that the technician thought that one of my stent attachments became unattached, but Dr Schanzer reviewed the test results and said things looked normal.  

The visit summary said:

ASSESSMENT: Dr. Schanzer reviewed the Duplex imaging and felt that there was adequate apposition of the right limb. Satisfactory progress 9 years following endovascular repair of a an infra renal aneurysm

 

PLAN: We will plan to see him back in 1 year with a repeat EVAR duplex. He should continue on his aspirin and statin indefinitely.

 

So there ya go.  Until, next year.   

 

The ride home was uneventful.  I did stop to re-fuel.  OMG the price of gas!

 

More to come.  

 

Good News All Around

Eye Care Update 

As a follow up with Dr Song, the additional eye drops successfully lowered the pressure in my eyes to a 'great' reading.  Prior to taking Latanoprost, my pressure reading was 31/37.  After a few months of the new prescription (with existing script of timolol), my readings were 9/10. The doctor was ecstatic.  (as well as I).

Cystoscopy

Having completed my three rounds of BCG, today was the 'test' to see if the treatment continues to keep my bladder cancer in remission.  I've been anxious about the results.  After three years of treatments, I was looking forward to having regular intervals of a cystoscopy only. 

Having been concerned about the weather for today, it ended up being a beautiful sunny day.  There were no issues getting to and from my appointment.  Check in was a breeze.  My appointment was at 11:30 and I left the parking lot at noon (with a smile on my face).

Dr Previte performed the cystoscopy (I call it a look see).  "Everything looks great."  He added, "You are a success story."  Also added that my PSA results were 2.62 (anything less than 4 is great). After reviewing his notes, he said he would see me in 6 months for my next cystoscopy.  But, he also wanted a CAT scan since my last one will be two years old.

So, I graduated to the next level.  I await more information on my next appointment at the end of the summer and when my CAT scan will be.

More to come!