hyperparathyroidism appointment w/surgeon

11 years ago

Monday I have an appointment with a surgeon at UCLA Medical facility, but I will have to go early for more tests in the morning before I meet with the surgeon the same afternoon. So I wrote an email at work that I would be out on Monday and mentioned that I would be meeting with a surgeon for hyperparathyroidism, and when my boss (the owner of the company) got the email, she called me and wanted to know all about it. Now she thinks she has hyperparathyroidism and wants to see an endocrinologist for tests to see if she needs the surgery too! She said to me, "Why didn't MY doctor send me to an endocrinologist?!" She wants to know everything I find out on Monday. I'm not even having surgery that day, but this will be the second endocrinologist for me, and if he concurs that I need surgery, then I will be convinced. The pain in my finger joints is getting worse. What I can't believe is that my boss has not already seen an endocrinologist, as she has seen quite a few doctors, and it seems that someone who have recommended one to her.

I'm dreading the drive up I405 to Brentwood during morning rush hour traffic, which can come to a grinding halt before I even reach the Santa Monica Freeway. It's not that far to go, but I'll give myself at least an hour.

Lars

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Comments (31)

John Liu
11 years ago
Good luck. Glad to see you are making progress. And, your boss will be supportive of you during your treatment and recovery, it seems.
centralcacyclist
11 years ago
Keep us informed. Sending positive thoughts.

Eileen
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annie1992
11 years ago
I'll be thinking of you this weekend, my friend, and especially on Monday, and sending good thoughts and hugs.

Hopefully they can get you all straightened out and feeling great again, like your old self.

Annie
lindac
11 years ago
Sending good wishes for a successful outcome.
cloudy_christine
11 years ago
I'll be thinking of you on Monday, Lars.
Lars
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for all of the special thoughts. I almost wish I were having the surgery on Monday because the pain in my right middle finger is getting to be unbearable whenever I use it. I am going to minimize my typing, but I find it hard to type without using that finger. Maybe I will try putting a splint on it. My regular doctor said that he things that pain will go away a few days after the operation. I don't know what I'll do for lunch, but I might take something like a sandwich with me.

I just discovered that I can type easily enough by using only the index finger of my right hand, and it doesn't slow me down that much.

Lars
jessyf
11 years ago
Lars, you're not alone with the 'Fear of the 405' LOL. Me too, and nothing scares me. I call it the 'Endless parking lot'. Good luck on Monday, and let us know when the surgery is scheduled.
compumom
11 years ago
Lars, don't worry about lunch. There's a cafeteria/cafe downstairs from the 100 Medical bldg(200 and 300 bldg's too)
or you can always walk into the Village and eat at Whole Foods, they have an excellent take out. There are other good choices there too-- DH loves Pain Quotidien's quiche!

I hope you get the answers that you need on Monday!
sooz
11 years ago
Sending you best wishes. You can't get better than UCLA people and lucky you living so close (well, except for that darned freeway traffic, yes?)!

Smiles,
Sooz
Lars
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, Ellen. For some reason I forgot about all the interesting places to eat in Westwood Village. I think I'll probably go to Falafel King on Broxton, which is only about three blocks from the 200 building where I will be parked. My tests are set for 9:00 a.m., and then I see the surgeon at 1:00 p.m., and so there should be plenty of time for me to get something in between. If not, I'll walk over after I see the surgeon. The parking is a flat fee for the whole day, and so I will not be moving the car once I park. I will want to leave Brentwood before the afternoon rush hour, however. I love quiche, but it upsets my stomach and therefore is not a good choice for when I will be driving. Nice to know that there is a cafeteria downstairs, in case I am strapped for time.

Sooz, I think you are right that the people at UCLA are the best I could get - I've been very impressed with them so far. The drive is 9 miles and should take only 15 minutes in normal traffic, but I won't be expecting that on Monday morning. I'm actually closer to UCLA than I am to my regular doctor's office in Pacific Palisades, which wasn't so far from Venice, but now it takes me almost twice as long to get there.

I'll definitely let you know when the surgery is scheduled. I got a new cell phone because of this, although I expect Kevin to take a day off from work to drive me to and from the surgery, which should not even take all that long.

Lars
triciae
11 years ago
Hope your day has gone well, Lars. Please let us know what the second doctor recommends.

/tricia
centralcacyclist
11 years ago
I'm checking on for any news. Hugs from the other California. :)

Eileen
annie1992
11 years ago
I'm also just checking in for news and sending lots of good thoughts from here in Michigan.

Annie
Gina_W
11 years ago
Checking in too. Hope you liked the doctor and he had some sensible things to tell you!
Lars
Original Author
11 years ago
I took a nap after I got back from Westwood. It turns out I was in Westwood instead of Brentwood - I get them confused. Anyway, I think it went well, but I had to spend a lot of time for all the scans and tests. The final doctor I saw told me that I have a tumor on one of my parathyroid glands on the left side, and the tumor needs to be removed. He scheduled me for surgery on July 19 and said that Kevin will have to take me to and from the facility for the surgery, so that he can drive me home. They will put me under for the surgery, which should last no more than 20 minutes. He said that within a few hours of the surgery, I should begin to feel better, and that this should take care of the tiredness and dizziness that I have been experiencing for the past couple of years or so. My tiredness and dizziness has been increasing lately to the point that it was beginning to scare me, but now I feel that it can be taken care of. I feel very confident with this doctor and trust him implicitly, especially since I had thought that this was my problem since over a year ago. He said I have probably had this tumor for several years, but it is only just now getting drastic. The tumor is causing calcium to be taken from my bones, and the doctor said that I have experienced some bone loss, but that after the surgery, that effect will be reversed.

I did walk to Falafel King on Broxton for lunch, but they had moved to the other side of the street and downsized, for some reason. Still, I had a very good falafel lunch with a mango juice drink and had 45 minutes left over when I got back to the doctor's office. I did drop in at the downstairs cafeteria, but it was a bit crowded and disorienting. I was the first lunch customer at Falafel King, and that made it more comfortable to me. Plus I know I like their falafel, and I could not decide on the many varied selections available at the cafeteria.

Thanks for checking back! It's nice to hear.

Lars
compumom
11 years ago
Thanks for reporting in! It's good to hear that your visit went well and are confident that everything is cure-able. It sounds as if these docs have their finger on the cause and the solution is relatively easy!

Just an aside, we had dinner this evening with a retired cardiologist friend who made the comment that people discount the vitamins and supplements and don't share that info with their doctors. It can have repercussions down the line mixing with medicines and treatment plans. Make sure you don't take anything new before surgery without discussing it thoroughly with your doctors. Ok?

Hey, I'm also pleased the foodie in you also managed to enjoy a nice lunch as part of your day! :)
centralcacyclist
11 years ago
You seem to be at peace with the decision. Hugs and wellness. :)

Eileen
cloudy_christine
11 years ago
Lars, this is so great: "He said that within a few hours of the surgery, I should begin to feel better, and that this should take care of the tiredness and dizziness that I have been experiencing for the past couple of years or so."
It's wonderful news! I'm happy that you're going to be feeling like your old self soon.
lindac
11 years ago
Good news....will be anxiously awaiting the time when the surgery has happened and all this is over.
Linda C
annie1992
11 years ago
I'm also glad to hear that it's something that appears easily resolved and that you are confident with your doctor.

I'll also be waiting anxiously for it to be all over and successful, and will be sending strong and healing thoughts until then and after.

Annie
claire_de_luna
11 years ago
Good days are on the way! Lars, the hardest part is over, and I'm very confident you'll notice a difference right away. Congratulations on getting the diagnosis, finding a doctor you feel confident about, and getting the surgery scheduled. It's all downhill from here, and you'll be feeling healthy again very soon! Now, the most difficult part is having to wait for surgery so you can put this behind you. Be kind to yourself until then; the way you feel now will soon be just a memory and you'll have more energy than you thought possible. I'm sending healing thoughts your way!
Lars
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for all the thoughts - I do feel better hearing them, and I was a bit tired and slow this morning. Claire, your words were especially helpful, since you have been through this yourself. I've really felt like I had my hands tied for the past few months - I could only do very limited gardening, and so weeds have gotten the upper hand in parts of the yards. Kevin wants to go on some hikes in the mountains with me, and that was extremely difficult the last time I went, which was with our sister and BIL at Solstice Canyon. I could really tell something was seriously wrong at that point.

Ellen, I do report vitamins and supplements to the doctors, as the doctors themselves have recommended them, and so I think of them as medications.

Annie, I appreciate the strong thoughts you have been sending me - I really can feel them, and all the thoughts that everyone sends! I think this helps me from slipping into depression, which is one of the symptoms I've been able to keep at bay. At times, it's been difficult, however, but I have fairly positive thoughts now, and hope to be 100% positive after the operation. I don't want to hope for too much, however.

I so much appreciate everyone here!

Lars
annie1992
11 years ago
Well, I'll dare to hope to much. I hope you'll be 100% positive emotionally after the surgery, and that the surgery is 100% successful, and that your recovery is 100% and that your energy level soars by about 1,000%!

I wish all the best for you, my dear, and for Kevin. We're all in this with you.

Annie
sally2_gw
11 years ago
Lars, I missed this thread, but I've not been at the computer much lately. I'm so glad you've gotten a diagnosis and a solution. July 19 seems so far away, but remember, at our age, (wink) time goes by pretty fast. I hope just knowing this will be taken care of will help you to feel a bit better until then.

Sally
jessyf
11 years ago
Would you want to ask to be placed on a waiting list for cancellations to move up the date?
Lars
Original Author
11 years ago
Jessy, they asked me if I wanted to be on a waiting list for cancellations, and I told them that I prefered to have a firm date. First of all, I have to see my regular doctor on July 6 for more tests and then wait for lab results, and it is better for Kevin to ask for time off from work more in advance. I feel more comfortable having a firm date, although I do wish it were sooner. I do wish I felt better in the meantime, however.

I have an opthalmologist appointment on July 3 to check for glaucoma. I've been a bit borderline on that as well.

Lars
centralcacyclist
11 years ago
I'm looking forward to news of your feeling like your former self. Hugs in the meantime.

Eileen
gellchom
11 years ago
Lars, I had this a few years ago and had the surgery and I'm happy to tell you it was a great big nothing -- didn't hurt, quick complete recovery, no need for any medication or anything else afterward. That was the experience of the others I know who have had it, too.

In fact, I was out and about so fast I had a funny experience one day. I still had the steri-strips on my neck and was doing an errand at Target. People were going out of their way to be SO NICE to me -- and then I realized, "Oh, gosh, these people think I have cancer!" I almost felt guilty for getting all the sympathy. So I bought a scarf then and there and wore it around my neck after that.

Oh, and by the way, by three months or so later, the scar was virtually undetectable.

I hope it's the same for you. I bet it will be.

Good luck!
lsr2002
11 years ago
Lars, you are and will be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad you got another opinion and that you have a date for the surgery and can make plans. I just know it will go well and that you will feel better and be happier and not depressed when you are less tired.

Lee, always sending you good thoughts and wishes for happiness and health.
mustangs81
11 years ago
Being familiar with the area, seems like the most painful part is getting to and from the facility. I look forward to you putting this behind you so you can tend to your garden.

Well wishes to you.
Cathy
Lars
Original Author
11 years ago
I feel better already! Your thoughts have lifted my spirits and energy. Loved your comment, Gellchom!!

Lee, I was much more worried about your last surgery than I am about mine, which is about is minor as it can get, although I am expecting some drastic improvement from it.

Cathy, I won't be worried about getting to and from the facility because Kevin is taking the day off from work to take me there and back. We'll have to get there early again, but at least I know now what to expect with traffic. It was really only a 30 minute drive to go the nine miles, eight of which were on the 405.

I'm hoping I will have more energy for posting pictures as well, as I have been slack in that recently because of lack of energy.

Lars

hyperparathyroidism appointment w/surgeon

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