How significant is the phase "far and away most likely to be"?

[Fluffysmom]

All right, first my neuroradiologist used the phrase on both of my brain MRI reports, and now Quix used it in a post about a possible ganglion cyst.  

Is this a regular term used in medicine, and how significant is it?

Inquiring minds want to know!

OK, at least one curious woman trying to figure out which end is up.  :O)

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

I'm still looking for a good neurologist or MS specialist, but I have a great primary care doctor.  She has helped me through a lot, and is always willing to listen, and even accepts suggestions from me for my care. She's human so she's not perfect, but she has been a rock for me for around nine years.

I have heard of great neurologist, ophthamologists, other specialists, so I know they exist!  

Good luck to both of us!

Kathy

[mercyone]

Thank you for the reminder that some doctors are good - I will keep looking!

Mercy

[Fluffysmom]

multiple sclerosis.

I stopped by the office where I'll be seen if/when I get accepted at OHSU, and it is gorgeous; brand new.  Not up on the hill, but at the bottom where the tramway goes up to the Campus up on the hill.  The people were really nice.

I thought I would stop and see if my records I faxed had gotten through OK, but of course at such a gigantic facility, the records are processed up at some office up on the hill.  No wonder it takes them so long to make any decisions; it takes quite a while just to get the information to the right person.

The woman at the desk validated my parking even though I didn't have an appointment, which I thought was cool.

Kathy

[Momzilla]

I'm sorry.....What are they saying it's "far and away most likely to be...?"

Zilla*

[monotreme]

Kathy,
  It was not a silly question.  Just hate for you to have more to worry about.  I have a few friends who lately have been very misled by a radiology report.  I really hope you can get in to OHSU.  I have a lot of respect for the hospital and its open ness to alternative medicine..

Elaine

[Fluffysmom]

Wonko,  I was faxing my reports and records so I saw the phrase that the radiologist wrote on both of my MRI's and then when Quix used it, it just made me wonder if it had special meaning.  

I did the review thing with bad neuro #1, and to some degree with #2, but long ago decided that it was doing me more harm than good.  I had a visit with an D.O once that was so bad, especially after I read her chart notes and everything was wrong, that I wrote a letter clarifying every issue that she got wrong.  I felt better afterwards, and I rarely think about that visit, but if I did that all the time, my file would be full of complaints, rather than erroneous information, and that would be worse.

I'm using enough energy just trying to find the next doctor!  I am trying to fine-tune my Timeline, though yesterday I just sent it off to the possible new doctor with only a couple small additions.

Elaine, honest, I wasn't stressing, just curious.  I suppose I have too much time to fill while waiting to see if I get accepted at OHSU.  I don't spend all my time on my health, but my health demands attention too much of the time.  I'm concerned about my vision, and I guess I'm doing all I can with that, so I'm just thinking about stuff that I probably shouldn't take up space on the forum with.  

Mercy,  please try and remember that there are good doctors out there; some of us just haven't found them yet, ha ha!  I ask for chart notes so that I can see what the doctor has written about the appointment after the fact.  They don't always record everything discusssed, but it does help to make it easier to understand what they were thinking and trying to communicate.  All you have to do is request a release of information form, fill it out saying you want your chart notes sent to you for your personal medical file, and they are required by law to do so.  Some offices charge a small fee, but it isn't much unless you request your entire medical history.

I have gotten to the point where I don't want any more surgery or to try any new medications unless they are totally necessary.  I relaxed that personal rule and tried a beta blocker for my tremors, and it made me awfully dizzy, off balance, and all sorts of other stuff.  I gave it two weeks before I realized it was side effects, and not just me getting worse, and quit taking it.  My PCP offered to prescribe something else, and I just said that I would learn to live with the tremors unless they got really bad.

Anyway, thank you all for your input on my silly little question!  

Kathy

[mercyone]

I try to ask questions to understand what is happening or what the doctors are doing - but many doctors dismiss the questions with a look like something akin to "idiot for asking" and that just makes me wonder what planet they came from. I mean after all - doctors go to a trade school to learn how to burn um, cut um, and poison us to health - now really - they do not know everything but they sure act like they do.

Mercy

[monotreme]

Hi Kathy,
   Radiologists all have their own style of reading films and dictating reports.  I wouldn't worry about it.  It just the style of the radiologist.

  Remember, the neurologist will make his / her own interpretation of the films and correlate the films to the physical exam.

  I know you are very stressed out.  But radiologists are only required to document what they see.  Don't stress about the wording!!

  Best of luck with OHSU.

  Elaine

[wonko]

I'm pretty sure it's just a colloquialism those fancy-pants doctors throw at us instead of giving hard statistics.  (Just kidding!)

I wouldn't burn your precious energy on that one, I've re-played visits before in my mind the night after, trying to justify every phrase, while my neurologist is probably sleeping like a baby, never to re-think our conversation again!  

I'd say just look forward and focus on getting that next appointment with a doctor you trust enough to not need to question and re-play the visits in your mind.  

I can sense your tension and frustration, and can understand from what I read of your situation!  I'm so sorry that your patience is being pulled at like this, and I hope you can continue to channel your emotions into constructive efforts like getting a new appointment!