I've posted on this topic before, but had to dredge it up again today.
Almost all medical providers offer a "Patient Portal" with access to your test results. Your layman's medical review could potentially see something overlooked by your doctor, and save your life. I know many of you do this already, but if you haven't bothered, please consider this:
Cousin Susann's doctor was "watching" a spot on her lung with CAT scans for 15 years. She recently became incapacitated with severe pain and just got a PET scan and biopsy which confirmed "end stage" lung cancer metastasized to her spine.
She asked for the report on the annual CAT scan she received a year earlier, and clearly spelled out on the first page by the reviewing radiologist and clearly missed by her doctor, is the cancer that has now run rampant and unchecked in her body for a year.
Radiologist statement in report missed a year ago.
So lets be diligent health care consumers, and if you could spare a Prayer for my beloved cousin, I'd deeply appreciate it.
Don't just read them yourself discuss the results with your doctor. And ask questions.
Fortunately my doctor always sends me his report after receiving the results.
Then we make phone contact.
My last Lab work indicated a slight rise in my LDL cholesterol leveL. It is not significant, but as he told me, the government guidelines have changed over the past few years, and indicators for a heart attack or stroke have changed.
My level increased enough to having a 20% chance. He mentioned that I would benefit from a statin. But first he needs to discuss this with my cardiologist.
Then he said something that really hit home.
The statin would be temporary, Why? Because of my age. Now everyone gets older/old. We all realize this, but when a doctor tells you, the statin will be temporary because, I am 72 years old, government and medical guidelines state, "Statins are to be stopped at age 75 years old, because starting at age 75 your chances of a heart attack or stroke increases significantly just due to age that a statin would be insignificant to take".
WOW, nothing like hearing the truth from your doctor.
Yes, we are all different and some of us are in better health than others. But doctors are directed to adhere to medical guidelines by their employers and Medicare.
My Lab test do include PSA testing. But I know men who have stopped being tested between the ages of 75-80. Their doctors told them that, at that age if prostate cancer would appear that it is normally slow growing in older men, that most likely they will die from a heart attack or stroke. Another WOW!
To get back on track. Do read and discuss your Lab work with your doctor.
Then there is no way something significant will be missed.
Prayers to the OP's cousin and mom, and for the whole family.
