Confusing Answers

Dear Faithful Followers;

It has been a crazy ride over the past eight months as we have searched for answers for our son, Brandt. But, here, you've joined us, patiently waiting for the roller coaster ride to end all roller coaster rides--Brandt's MRIs. The results are in, so hop aboard, and join in this terrifying thrill ride. But, buckle up because there are many crazy turns ahead--brace yourselves!

First off, let me give all parents going through similar testing two tips.
1.) Your doctor will schedule a follow up visit a few days after any procedure to go over results. What they will not tell you, however, is that you don't have to wait for them to get your results. You can obtain your own copy of the results within twenty-four hours of being completed. Go to the records department of the testing facility. You (and your insurance company) paid for the testing so the facility is required to supply you with any and all results.
2.) Do not try to interpret the results or drive yourself crazy researching on the Internet. You are not a doctor, and you will only make yourself more concerned! Call the ordering doctor if you have results stating any abnormalities. If you tell them you are aware that the testing indicated abnormalities, they can explain the results to you over the phone.

That being said: keep your arms, hands, and feet in the cart at all times and enjoy the ride!

The day after testing was complete, Darrin went over to St. Mary's Hospital to obtain a copy of the radiologist's report. The findings of the MRI immediately sent Darrin into a whirlwind of emotions. Although much of the report is in scientific gibberish, there is no misunderstanding what "abnormality" means. He immediately went to the Internet to find answers to what the terms meant, and then he called me. Darrin quickly reported the results. He voice was loud, and his speaking rate was increased. He studdered as he uttered out that the MRIs showed two collapsed lungs and an enlarged liver.

I was just about to pick my students from PE when I got his call, yet I could barely stand. As the kids shuffled out, everything around me began to spin. I could barely breath, couldn't speak, couldn't move. My eyes met another teachers, and I know she instantly knew what I was thinking and feeling. A student called my name, and I took a deep breath and snapped back into teacher mode. But, how could I be in teacher mode when my mommy-heart was bleeding? Another slow, deep breath. I put on my game face and pressed on as best as I could.

Finally, I got a brake and called the neurologist. The nurse triage said she'd forward the results to the doctor and have him call me back. Hours went by and I heard nothing.

In the meantime, Darrin, who had also spoken with the neurologist's office, faxed over the results to the pediatrician's office. The pediatrician called back to go over the findings. He said the lungs were typical because of anesthesia. And, he believed that the liver enlargement could be caused by the iron supplement that Brandt had been taking for his anemia over the past five months. The pediatrician said he'd like to feel Brandt's abdomen for abnormalities in the liver. So Darrin scheduled an appointment for Thursday.

After not hearing from the neurologist for hours, I called back but nurse triage was unavailable so I left a voicemail. Five o'clock came and went, and I decided that I wouldn't be hearing from the neurologist until Monday as the weekend was already upon us. I'm not going to lie--I was mad about that.

Darrin came home at 7:15 and handed me a copy of the report. No sooner did I finish reading the medical jargon then I got a call from a private number. It was the neurologist. Freaking finally! He started by asking me who told me that Brandt had collapsed lungs----Darrin. He asked where Darrin got that from, which clearly was from him researching the medical term from the report and adding his own interpretation of what he read. The doctor said the term Darrin was referring to (moderate atelectasis noted in both posterior lungs) simply means the lungs were not fully inflated, which is due to the anesthesia (confirming what the pediatrician said). The next part of the report says "liver looks mildly enlarged. Mild hepatomegaly may be present. Clinical correlation is suggested." The neurologist did not know where to go with this, as it was beyond his specialty. I explained to him that the geneticist ordered an abdominal ultrasound with attention to the liver a few months ago, but we had never had it done. (That was one of tests Darrin asked me to surrender.) The neurologist said he would consult the geneticist about the results and get back to me. He said he knew glycogen storage disease would affect the liver and that might be what the geneticist was looking for, but then he continued to explain that MRIs really aren't the best tool for measuring the liver anyway. He said it could be something, or it could be nothing. --Great, that really helps. Sigh.

But, since this roller coasted ride might be getting ready for a second round, I will end this on a happy note--the spine was dictated as "no significant abnormalities of the entire spine." Every ride must have a happy ending, if nothing else, then to get off the darn thing! Until next time thrill seekers!