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This past Tuesday afternoon I had my annual mammogram and saw my doctor face-to-face for the first time in far more than a year. That’s not to say we haven’t emailed or talked on the phone about minor concerns (mine) that didn’t require an appointment. This was a wellness visit.
With Kaiser
Permanente, you have to fill out a form prior to your appointment and I did
that but also prepared a document which I attached to an email…the
questionnaire wouldn’t let me attach anything. I wanted to make the best use of
the forty minutes allotted to me with my doctor.
Of course, no
one had looked at the email, printed out my document and given it to Megan (MD’s
name). Fortunately, I had brought my own copy and gave that to her. I had
prepared it so my concerns for the visit were listed first, followed by things
just for her information. Megan quickly scanned what I’d sent. I should say she
also knows me because she’s been my doctor for at least ten years or more.
Unfortunately,
there’s not a lot that can be done for the peripheral neuropathy which was
caused by a breast cancer drug…Cytoxan. The neuropathy has now moved up into my
ankles and slightly higher in the left leg. They check this by having you close
your eyes while they touch the bottom and top of your foot, then your ankle and
calf. It looks like a long pin, but it’s rubber. I was supposed to tell her
when I could feel the touch. She was well above my ankle on the right and a bit
above on the left.
I wore
flip-flops to the doctor’s office because I knew we would talk about my feet.
It is not, however, a good idea for me to drive in them since I cannot feel my
feet. I almost rear-ended someone on the way to the doctor because my
flip-flop got stuck behind the brake pedal. I yanked it out in time but it scared
the crap out of me. I almost always wear actual shoes to drive because I can
feel the pressure my foot makes against the pedals.
We also talked
about whether or not I have hammer toes that require treatment (surgery?), so I
have a referral to a podiatrist. Only two of my toes actually bother me. They lay
in such a way the toenail touches the shoe bottom. I need to keep my toenail as
short as possible so there’s no pain. I don’t know if the podiatrist can help
me, but I’ll find out.
My blood
pressure was a little elevated and I had just re-ordered lisinopril on Sunday.
This morning I had an email telling me I needed to check my blood pressure on a
regular basis and send in the results or I won't receive another refill. I didn’t think you’re supposed to take your
own blood pressure, but I don’t see why I can’t, so I will.
Most of the
appointment was spent talking about how I am doing as far as friends and family
goes, the various activities in which I’m involved, my daily life, and of
course, Kuma (Megan loved his photo). At the end Megan told me she’s pleased and
impressed with how I’ve come to manage my life since John’s death. It made me
feel good to hear that because sometimes I don’t feel as though I am managing very
well at all.
I needed no tests or follow-up
aside from getting my Covid booster. I wanted to have the flu vaccine as well,
but they won’t be giving those until September and I’ll get it then. So, here I
am, good to go for another ten-thousand miles or ten years, whichever comes
first.