Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Tomorrow's The Big Day... Again

This morning I had my Haake-protocol MRV, then met with Dr. Arata in the early afternoon.  The images showed some blood flow problems (as was found in Bangor last June) but the "gold standard" test is apparently still venography, and if they're going to put a catheter in for that, they might as well fix any problems they find. We (Dr. Arata, Mary and I) discussed my expectations (see my February 24th posting) and Dr. Arata agreed my expectations were realistic.  He was surprised that my initial "liberation" had lasted as long as it had and then was followed by such a gradual decline - that's not a "standard", if there is such a thing.  He also agreed that with such long-lasting relief of some symptoms (fatigue, balance, autonomic functions), even if I have to have this done every few years, it could be well worth it from a quality of life point of view, as well as financially given that I have embarked on an interesting new post-retirement career that will require a lot of energy and travel.

So, tomorrow I am being "re-liberated"... and we'll see what that brings.

P.S.: I'm annoyed with myself that I didn't ask that the MRV done today would also include my lower spine, where my neurologist thinks there may be, possibly, some causes for my mobility problems.  I just assumed that it would, but that's what you get for making assumptions.  That means I'll still have to undergo an MRI in Fredericton - whenever that will be, since it is well over six months that I've been waiting.  But Dr. Arata did say that he'll check out my veins down there while he's in the neighbourhood.

3 comments:

  1. Wishing you all the Best!

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  2. Wishing you good luck and good health Ted! Be sure to go get yourself some vitamin D natural style after the fact!

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    1. Thanks, folks. Unfortunately it's back to Canada tomorrow, Shelly... not too much chance for natural vitamin d for a few months.

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