((((((HUGS)))))) To All ~
Is it too much to ask that I be informed of specialist consults and test orders from that specialist?
Jon's home health nurse visited today to take Jon's blood to test his Dilantin, Depakote, and Phenobarb levels, as well as a CBC and a CMP, which would tell us about Jon's hemoglobin and his sodium, potassium, liver and kidney functions, etc.
She had NINE VIALS for his blood draw! He is anemic, you know. NINE VIALS is A LOT OF BLOOD.
More blood tests were added to this already comprehensive list by a hemotologist, who evidently had been consulted by Jon's doctor.
News to me.
Jon's nurse called the Nurse Practitioner, who had faxed the orders for the blood tests. The NP explained that the hemotologist wanted to find out the cause of Jon's anemia.
Really? Well, he could ask me. I know the answer to that one. Depakote. For crying out loud, everyone knows the answer to that one in the hospital, where Jon has already undergone this battery of tests twice!
And, if anyone had asked ME, I could have told them that Zosyn and Synthroid depleted Jon of red blood cells just two months ago, which is why his tests have been so askew.
But no. Let's take NINE VIALS of blood from Jon, who is anemic, and difficult to draw. I refused.
I negotiated with our nurse to negotiate with the NP over the phone, to draw 4 vials of blood today, and I said, "I need to know Dilantin and Depakote levels more than anything else right now."
Since Jon needs his catheter changed next week, we deferred some of the blood tests until his nurse returns for that purpose. She will also take more blood then.
Unless ... I can convince Jon's doc, the NP, and the hemotologist to look at Jon's blood work from 2009 and 2011, when Jon was hospitalized, and they explored his anemia, which is fairly consistent with the tests this new hemotologist wants to do on Jon.
And there better be some improved communication with ME by the doc and NP, before these kinds of things are sprung on me unknowingly. Jon's home health nurse (who is also our dear friend) was shocked that I had not been contacted about the hemotologist's consult.
What is the point of repeating studies on Jon to determine the cause of his anemia, when we already know the cause? The hospital ICU doctors ruled out iron supplements and other potential options to treat Jon's anemia. And that is because Jon's anemia is drug-induced by Depakote. There is no way around it.
Too many chefs in the kitchen. Unfortunately, one of them isn't me.
This is going to change.
Love & Light,
Rose
Is it too much to ask that I be informed of specialist consults and test orders from that specialist?
Jon's home health nurse visited today to take Jon's blood to test his Dilantin, Depakote, and Phenobarb levels, as well as a CBC and a CMP, which would tell us about Jon's hemoglobin and his sodium, potassium, liver and kidney functions, etc.
She had NINE VIALS for his blood draw! He is anemic, you know. NINE VIALS is A LOT OF BLOOD.
More blood tests were added to this already comprehensive list by a hemotologist, who evidently had been consulted by Jon's doctor.
News to me.
Jon's nurse called the Nurse Practitioner, who had faxed the orders for the blood tests. The NP explained that the hemotologist wanted to find out the cause of Jon's anemia.
Really? Well, he could ask me. I know the answer to that one. Depakote. For crying out loud, everyone knows the answer to that one in the hospital, where Jon has already undergone this battery of tests twice!
And, if anyone had asked ME, I could have told them that Zosyn and Synthroid depleted Jon of red blood cells just two months ago, which is why his tests have been so askew.
But no. Let's take NINE VIALS of blood from Jon, who is anemic, and difficult to draw. I refused.
I negotiated with our nurse to negotiate with the NP over the phone, to draw 4 vials of blood today, and I said, "I need to know Dilantin and Depakote levels more than anything else right now."
Since Jon needs his catheter changed next week, we deferred some of the blood tests until his nurse returns for that purpose. She will also take more blood then.
Unless ... I can convince Jon's doc, the NP, and the hemotologist to look at Jon's blood work from 2009 and 2011, when Jon was hospitalized, and they explored his anemia, which is fairly consistent with the tests this new hemotologist wants to do on Jon.
And there better be some improved communication with ME by the doc and NP, before these kinds of things are sprung on me unknowingly. Jon's home health nurse (who is also our dear friend) was shocked that I had not been contacted about the hemotologist's consult.
What is the point of repeating studies on Jon to determine the cause of his anemia, when we already know the cause? The hospital ICU doctors ruled out iron supplements and other potential options to treat Jon's anemia. And that is because Jon's anemia is drug-induced by Depakote. There is no way around it.
Too many chefs in the kitchen. Unfortunately, one of them isn't me.
This is going to change.
Love & Light,
Rose
Comment