Expanding our medical education
@GardenGerty (169477)
United States
January 9, 2019 7:06pm CST
Rather than keep anyone in suspense I will say flat out that Bob's bleeding problem is not because of anything wrong with his blood, platelets or enzymes or clotting factors.
The doctor was very nice, and had a bunch of tests run, and explained even before the test why it was unlikely to be a blood problem.
The problem comes back to tissue damage from radiation. His blood vessels are like a dry and cracked garden hose, ready to spring a leak at the slightest provocation.
In medical terms the Doctor said, "it is a vascular problem." If he hurts the veins in any way he is going to bleed. If he bleeds too much, get a transfusion. So anything from constipation, to heavy lifting or straining of any kind can cause a bleed. The damaged tissue throughout the abdominal area will not rejuvenate itself. Live with it, but be careful.
We will still also visit with a different heart doctor, looking for a good match.
The urologist still wants a work up at the VA.
The primary care wants to recheck his hemoglobin next week.
12 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (86713)
• United States
10 Jan 19
It is so refreshing to have a doctor who explains things instead of just says, "Here, take this, if you're not better in three weeks, come back and see me."
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
Well, in this case he would have said to quit taking different meds, which are heart meds. I guess he could have made up a reason to do surgery, but I am glad he did not. That is not to say that a vascular doctor may not. We are going to go to the VA to see what they think needs to be done.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Jan 19
What's that saying? After 40 it's patch patch patch?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
No. No patch that he knows of. Bob is long past forty, and other than hernias in his late fifties and sixties he has been stupidly healthy. He regrets more and more not having gotten a second or third opinion before they did anything about the prostate cancer. All of his subsequent problems seem to have stemmed from that. Possibly even the stroke.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
14 Jan 19
@BarBaraPrz Unfortunately no. We thought maybe there was a lawsuit in one of the hernia repairs but our doctor at the time said it probably would not happen. I know there are ongoing lawsuits in that arena.
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@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Jan 19
@GardenGerty Is there a lawsuit in that?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
I have been doing everything since before we moved. He had hernia surgery right at that time. I call it my fitness program. I think if he can stay healed up for a while he will not be so tender. Did your dad have radiation when he had prostate cancer? If so, he needs to be aware that it is possible he has scar tissue in various places in his abdomen.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
14 Jan 19
@AmbiePam Right now there is nothing other than getting all the cars working. We have someone who will come get them and work on them. Yes, we pay him, but not much. I think after Bob had that first transfusion he went out and over did himself, working or trying to work on a car problem. My biggest need is to know we have enough income and also to get out and about a bit. There are people here who I can go to Bible Study and Prayer meeting with and should. The church is having mostly college students come, and I am making it back to church and activities a bit.I have friends that I will see from time to time for coffee or something.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120757)
• United States
12 Jan 19
@GardenGerty No, he didn't, but I'm going to remember you mentioned it in case God forbid the cancer ever comes back.
I wish I lived closer to you. Has anyone volunteered to help out here and there?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
We have been feeling like there was a mystery problem, and there are still some urological problems to be addressed. He does need to be careful, AND when he calls and tells people he is bleeding they need to order labs and get the transfusion. It could well be that he felt so good after the first transfusion that he over stressed himself.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
14 Jan 19
@LadyDuck Me too. He wants to feel useful, though.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
12 Jan 19
@GardenGerty I think that he must understand that now he has to slow down. I hope he will.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
We are still working on some other issues, but this is reassuring in that it is not that uncommon to have bleeds due to radiation scarring.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
10 Jan 19
Oh that must be so difficult to live with but at least he knows what to watch for. Sounds like he is getting the best of care.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
We are adding in new layers of care. Also learning what he needs to be careful about.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
14 Jan 19
@Happy2BeMe Yes, but if we ever get the bleeding to stop they can move on with correcting some other issues.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
13 Jan 19
@GardenGerty that is good. It will be a lot of adjustments
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
12 Jan 19
At least they are now able to give you some options and you are keeping positive. Will be continuing to keep him in Prayer
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
13 Jan 19
It is actually good to rule out the idea of platelet disorders and blood cancers and such. You have to look for reasons to be positive. Thank you for the prayers.
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
I like to think if he puts a little padding on it will help. He needs the urological issue fixed as well. We will be going to the VA next week to see who and what they know to help.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135770)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Jan 19
At least you now know why he bleeds.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
We also know it is not a blood disease, or a cancer. Those are good things.
@RasmaSandra (98004)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jan 19
You have the comfort of know what is happening and can take care to be careful. My prayers and blessings with you both.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
Thank you. We are still going to see what the Veterans Hospital says about possible help or treatment.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91115)
• United States
10 Jan 19
It's good to get an explanation that you can understand. My son in laws mom had the same problem and would have to get a transfusion every once in awhile.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
I still wish there was a way to strengthen it.The blood vessels, I mean.
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
This all started last May with a burst blood vessel inside. It was not behaving as his urologist expected at all.It is not hopeless and this does rule out a lot of scary diseases.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
12 Jan 19
We had been told he would be more easily injured, last July or so. He did not realize that there would be scarring in his colon, and stomach and bladder and the blood vessels would be damaged.
1 person likes this
