We are home...nuts to the VA

Suffice it to say...it was not the best of visits to the VA. Normally, I don't go with Husband and he (pretty much) always comes home with nothing done. I wasn't quite that way this time, but pretty much.

We got there Thursday evening, ate dinner, checked into the hotel and watched TV. Up at 6:30 to go to the hospital for blood draw and 'prep'. The hospital called (while we were there...) to let Husband know that there was a cancellation and he could come on in. He told them he was already here and was in Ambulatory Surgery waiting for the DR to come back in!.

"(Ha Ha!) OK, well...thanks!! We'll see you, then!!

Now...let me interject this...(sorry Mumsy) I am going to copy most of the email I sent to her last night so I don't have to write t all over again...here goes....

I am in the waiting room. Husband walks by and goes to the Radiology Dept. They hadn't done the correct x rays, and needed them now. The Tech said she couldn't do anything until 3:30!! They were packed.


By now, I am standing there and said...so what will happen after 3:30. It's Friday! Who is taking care of this? She calls back over to the 'prep' area and talks to the DR and explains this to him. He says, I don't need and x-ray...I need an ultrasound to determine the density of the mass. We (I went this time) went back to see the DR...and he says...I need to draw the fluid from the 'soft mass' but it's behind the 'firm mass' and I have to see what I have to work with.


The 'Tech' comes in and says she can do the ultrasound right now if he wants it and will he be in there to view it so they don't have to do whatever they do that takes extra time to process it. He says...definitely...so Russell goes in for the ultrasound.


The DR is in there with RC, and he comes out to tell me that he, personally, will not be able to remove the 'hard mass' because of it's location and the soft mass must be biopsied and drained. By now it's 2:00 and he is determining what's what.


He goes back to his office area and comes out say that he wants Russell to have the mass drained...OK...and he will send the biopsy to MD Anderson in Houston. He agrees that ALBUQ is not the place for the 'hard mass' to be removed, but will set it up.


I asked him...so we came here for what? He says...I thought I was going to be able to just make an incision and remove the mass. Unfortunately, there is more to it than that. He said he was not capable of that particular surgical procedure and was not comfortable doing it, primarily because of the location.


I asked what was next. He said he would draw the fluid, now, send it off and set up a surgery appt. I know Russell was frustrated and pissed. I told this DR that Russell had gone through this same bunch of bullshit so many times that he may not come back. He explained that this mass really needed to come out and he was sorry that RC was being sent here and there but he would make it happen. I told him he better make it happen pretty damn quick.


They drew out fluid and put in a drain tube that will stay in until the surgery. We didn't get out of there until 5:45.


Now I understand and know how he feels when they send him home. I can't even blame the DR as he really didn't know what he was looking at until he saw the ultrasound. I asked if we should have had it done a few days ago, and he said no, as the mass(es) change daily.

I am so frustrated for Husband, but rest assured I will be on the phone Monday morning with somebody. Perhaps Husband will end up in Houston, I just don't know.

That was it in a nutshell. 

Question of the day...What DID get done while we were gone??

I crocheted 5 (count 'em...5!) hats!!  And we got some goldfish for the fountain...Yippee!!

I can honestly say it was good to get away from here. Everytime we leave, I just don't want to come back to work. I have lots of irons in the fire right now and will be very busy for the next two weeks....and this is stuff that I really enjoy doing! Working is hindering my 'things to do!'!!

We just had company for a couple of hours, which was enjoyable...but I have several things to finish tonight...it's on the lost...and if I don't get them done...well, you know the drill...I will be behind and do NOT want to try to catch up tomorrow. 

It's been a tiring time so I'll close and get my 'today' stuff done. Thanks for letting me vent...

b