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997898 tn?1303734864

is the glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

so....i met with the good dr. today.  after waiting for several hours in an uncomfortable waiting room chair (and missing lunch i might add) i was finally called into a room....where i wait some more.  then at last, the moment of truth has arrived!  there is a soft knock at the door and in walks a tall, slender man with a kind smile and gentle eyes.  we shake hands and get right down to business.  so, tell me ms harris, why are you here?  what are your symptom?  also not one to waste time, i reach into the depths of the thing i carry around called a purse and pull out........ THE LIST.  yes, that's right. i did it. i pulled out the list.  and as i pulled it out of my purse, i smiled a somewhat shy little smile and said well, i wrote them all down so i wouldn't forget anything.  i have a strong tendency to do that...you know, forget things?  the good dr. looked at me with eyes that had the faintest hint of amusement in them....or maybe it was boredom.  i'm not really sure.  you made a list he said?  yes, i did, i said, then proceeded to read off my symptoms, one by one.  every once in a while, he would briskly write something on his note pad.  occasionally, i would insert an explative to elaborate on something.  his eyes never waivered as he gazed at me with those soft brown eyes of his.  then, as i told him about the problem with my eyes that has plagued me in recent weeks, i showed him the pictures.  he looked at them, then at me with an expression that said...you're kidding me, right?  after that, he did not write anything else in his good book.  when i finished my list, i started to tell him about some specific things that were happening in recent days.  when i looked up, i immediately stopped talking.  the good dr. was no longe listening.  good girl that i am, i stopped talking and said, opps.  guess i've left the symptoms page and gone straight into a day in my life, huh?  yes, said he,.  you have.  would you sit on the table please?  oh, ok, said i.  the good dr. then checked my reflexes on my elbows, wrists and knees.  he asked me to hold my hands in front of me, palms up and close my eyes.  he then touched my pointer finger on each hand, each time telling me to touch my nose with that finger.  he asked my to lean my head back, then forward.  he then told me to sit back in the chair.  well, he said, you do have chiaris.  that can be seen on your xrays.  but your symptoms are "none specific".  ????????? i'm sorry, i said as a look of sheer disbelief crossed my face?  i don't understand what you're saying.  i don't know if you are a candidate for surgery, he said, but i would like to do another mri.  it won't involve any ivs or anything like that.  it's just like a regular mri, only they will "tweek" the machine in a special way to better see the flow of spinal fluid in your brain.  oh!  i said.  you mean a cine mri?  with a surprised look on his face he exclaimed, yes!  that is the name of the test.  that woud be fine, i said...can we do it today?  with an amused expression he replyed, no.  that is simply not possible.  my office will schedule the app for you and will notify you of the date and time.  i see.  well, thank you, dr.  without further adeu, the good dr. shook my hand once again and left me alone in the room to pack up my xrays, (which he never looked at , but he did browse the reports) photos, reports, hopes and dismay.  which i did rather briskly and departed his office.

so, is the glass 1/2 empty or is it 1/2 full?  on the one hand, i did not get the validation i so desperatly seek.  however, on the other hand, he did order a cine mri of my brain.  granted, it is not a full spinal mri i had hoped for, nor does it include contrast.  but alas, it is one step closer.  maybe.  not to a cure, but we all know that.  but maybe...just maybe....one step closer to relief.
6 Responses
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999891 tn?1407276076
Hi Elizabeth,
It is about politics and money.
They do a CINE MRI witch is clear or shows no obstruction and they say what is the point of sending for a full spinal scan. Dollars saved. They get a positive CINE and they are then justified in the other scan, it all politics and money.

Like jorlex137 I can identify with your frustration but you are one step closer to your final goal, be patent..

Shannon is correct it is a good day, they did not dismiss you completely and send you home.
ray

Helpful - 0
997898 tn?1303734864
that's what the good side of my brain keeps telling me!  lol!  i agree.  while i would have liked to hear something more to confirm what i feel are the facts concerning my health, it is good to be at least partially validated!
Helpful - 0
1041839 tn?1278681846
It's half full! Always look on the bright side! He ordered a cine mri .... that's definetly a step in the right direction and he did say "Yes, you have Chiari!"

It may take more tests but at least its going forward instead of backwards!

Keep your chin up! It may not feel like it totally but trust me its a Good day!
--Shannon
Helpful - 0
785584 tn?1273249232
Does make you wonder, why would they not do both!  You hang in there!!!!
Helpful - 0
997898 tn?1303734864
i'm hangin, gf!  i personally think all the drs are in cahoots with the insurance companies...instead of doing the full spine and brain in one shot, why not get in an extra office visit and another app with the lab for another mri!  lol  sheisters!  all of them! lol!
Helpful - 0
785584 tn?1273249232
What I'm learning is there are a lot of step involved and patience needed.  This doesn't help you does it?
I had the CINE MRI, it showed the abnormal csf flow.  They used the contrast that shows syrinx, however no one has gone over the results completely with me.  I have no idea if I have syrinx.  All I know is they called said csf flow was abnormal and we're sending you to surgeon.

Then the second opinion surgeon I'm going to see wants yet another mri, because they did the head and he needs the spine.  So back I go for more MRI.

I've been in pain for years, but I'm coming to the end of the road of answers, I see the light at the end of tunnel.  So the glass is 1/2 full here.  

I can understand your frustration as you provided all the information and is reply is....more tests and more waiting!  Hang in there!  
Helpful - 0
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