| December 14, 2005 |
| Dancing with the Neurologist |
Yesterday, I sat and watched Heather and the neurologist (Dr. Ironside) do a dance. It was almost comical. There were moments I almost laughed. I didn't mind Heather dancing with another man. I could dance, but I don't have the time to learn the doctor's dance. I have much better things to do than go to school for 10 years just to dance. Thank you, but no. Dr. Ironside pulled. He pushed. He lifted. He dropped. At the end Heather had to do the dance solo. The speed of how the dance went can be compared to the grace and speed of a professional saxophone player. In it's own since, it was a pretty dance.
Heather and Dr. Ironside didn't really dance. He was checking all of Heather's motor functions. He pulled and pushed on Heather's arms, hands, legs, and feet. He tested her shoulders and knees. Heather can touch her nose without any problems. (personally I was concerned on that one. I didn't want to wipe her nose.) Dr. Ironside thumped her like you would do for a watermelon. (and yes. He did proclaim "I was right. It's hollow!) What did all of this prove? Dr. Ironside wanted to see if Heather was experiencing any motor problems. She's not. That's a good thing. However, keep in mind that MS is not usually seen. Plus, this early stage wouldn't necessarily affect her motor functions. All Heather is experiencing is related to her sensory side.
Dr. Ironside went over the MRI films. He saw the areas Heather's family doctor noticed. The majority of the areas are small and not significant at this time. There is one area of scaring or tear that the doctor is concerned with. It's larger and is in an area that is not a good place to be.
 I found a picture on line that could better illustrate what I'm saying. The area the doctor is concerned with is pretty much where the yellow arrow is pointing at. This is a picture of a normal brain. Now imagine a bright round ball at the top right portion of the area that forks. This is what's on Heather's brain. Dr. Ironside mentioned something called the horn. It's the dark area at point the point where the white area forks. Anyway, I hope the picture serves as something to illustrate the area the doctor is concerned with. I'm not sure what this area of the brain controls. You might try google it.
Dr. Ironside did say he is concerned about this area, but he told us not to worry. He'll take care of that. The first thing Dr. Ironside wants to do is rule out all the other common and boring diagnosis. This is done by lab tests. The nice dancing doctor has now turned into a blood sucking vampire. I'm sure he ordered at least 12-15 blood tests. Whatever the number, the lab had to take 9 vials of blood from her arm. I'm sure he won't be getting a Christmas card from Heather after that little move.
If these tests show something, then the doctor will run with whatever it is. Diagnosis of MS is one of excluding everything else. If the test comes back normal, Dr. Ironside will aggressively seek the diagnosis for MS. If it's not MS, he'll go back and find the problem which would be boring compared to MS. Yeah or nay. Either way it's going to take some time to come to a conclusion.
Thank you all for your prayers and concern. We appreciated you guys. Heather would know by next week what the next stage would be. Everyone take care.
It's ok to let someone dance with your wife as long as you still take her home. |
posted by Dare @ 7:16 AM  |
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| 3 Comments: |
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You are nuts dear, but I love you because of it.
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Well, I may be nuts, but no one can prove it.
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Hey Guys,
thanks for the update. We've been thinking about you. If ya'll need anything, please let us know.
Merry Christmas
Love Paul & Jenn
Darren, next time you go back to Dr. Ironside you'll have to bust-a-move and show him that... you're the man!
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Name: Dare
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You are nuts dear, but I love you because of it.