My Second “2nd Opinion”
Thanks to Cisco, once again, I have been provided (completely free) with another second opinion — this time on the edema I’ve been dealing with since my surgeries in September.
I was very fortunate to get a second opinion from an amazing doctor, Dr. Sumner Slavin — Associate Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA.
So, I’ve been on the phone with several people from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. They have accepted me as a new patient, and though I’m excited…I’m also very nervous. How long will this take? Will they be able to help me? This is the last email I received:
Hello Liam!
I am happy we were able to connect! Thank you for reaching out to our Lymphatic Surgery program here at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. The below information will give you an idea how we currently coordinate patients that are wanting to come see us from out of state or afar.
Our protocol involves patients being seen by Dr. Brett Carroll who is a cardiologist in our Lymphatic Medicine clinic. Patients will meet with him because he is very helpful in evaluating and making sure not only that the patient is presenting with lymphedema, but that the vascular system is functioning properly. Patients then see Physical Therapy in our Lymphedema Therapy clinic for measurements; these two appointments can happen on the same day, typically on Wednesdays.
The next step is booking the Lymphatic imaging. I can help place these orders and lead you in the direction to book these appropriately. I am happy to book these for you as well once you finalize a week that you would like to come and see us. These images include MRI and Nuclear Medicine Lymphoscintigraphy. These images can typically be booked on the same day, with the Lymphoscintigraphy booked in the AM and MRI booked in the afternoon.
Once the two appointments are finalized and the imaging is complete, we can take this to our Friday Lymphatic Surgery conference and discuss with our entire team what was seen on evaluation. Patients then see Dr. Dhruv Singhal, Elizabeth Tillotson, NP, and myself on Friday to have an ICG Lymphography and consultation. During the consultation with Dr. Singhal, we explain the full workup in details and discuss next steps.
Like I mentioned, I am happy to help book these appointments once we have some dates in mind. I would pick a couple of weeks out so that in case they do not have some imaging dates available.
Right now it looks like it will be some time in April that I will be traveling to Boston to be seen there — fingers crossed that COVID doesn’t prevent it. I really hope that I can get some real help here — that they can figure out what is going on and come up with a solution. Though I’m not very vocal about it, I do deal with a lot of discomfort and pain — from the edema and scar tissue, especially when I first wake up in the morning, or if I sit too long.
Because this is truly the only thing I can focus on right now (in addition to my job that I have to and need to focus on) I think I chose the wrong time to try and take real estate classes. This class and exam are difficult in general. Combine that with the fact that I’ve got healing and recovery on my mind constantly. Plus…if I’m being honest, after getting halfway through the class, I realize that it’s not something that interests me at all. I just don’t think I would ever enjoy being a real estate agent. For some people, it’s perfect. For me…it’s not a passion — not even a little bit.
I’ve never been the kind of person to quit anything. I’m just not that kind of person. BUT I also know when I’ve got entirely too much on my plate, and I don’t have the time to focus on my mental, emotional and physical well-being. I’m never going to fully heal if I don’t start putting myself and my well-being first.
I have another call tomorrow with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. More updates to come. Wish me luck. If you’re a religious person, keep me in your prayers. Send positive vibes. I need all of that and more right now.
Peace and love to all,
Liam
