Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A Word About Medical Tests

Here's one of the big differences I see between healthy people and people who either have a chronic illness or are in the process of having a serious illness diagnosed:  when a healthy person goes in for a medical test, they worry that the results will be positive and they may have to face the possibility that they are sick.  When the test results come back "negative" ("normal"), the healthy person is happy and relieved.  He/she walks off into the sunset and goes on with his/her life.  When someone in the diagnosis process gets a "normal" or "negative" test result, they are sometimes disappointed.  In fact, they are sometimes devastated.  The reason for this is simple:  there is nothing worse than not knowing.  When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's, my first reaction was actually relief.  I was just glad to know what I was up against so that I could get on with it.

My friend Karen is in "Diagnosis Hell" right now.  They thought she had Parkinson's, but her symptoms were much more aggressive, and some didn't fit in with PD at all.  Then, she didn't react well to the PD medications, so they decided she must have a "Parkinson's Plus" disease.  Eventually, she was diagnosed with MSA (Multiple System Atrophy).  Now, MSA is a horrible, terrible disease with a life expectancy of 6 to 10 years from diagnosis.  Karen is only 50.  Naturally, she wants to make sure of the diagnosis.  We are all hoping that she has been misdiagnosed.  She had her hopes pinned on a series of tests which were finished up yesterday.  I called her last night to see how it went, and I knew right away that it was not good news.  Karen sighed and said in a small, tired voice "the tests all came back negative".  Well, we just cried on the phone together for a little bit, then we discussed her options.  She's not at the end of the rope yet; there are still tests which can be done.  Her only other option is to just give up, and that is NOT her style.

You see, this is why sometimes we aren't all that thrilled when we get a test result that says "normal".  It feels like you've asked the medical community "what the hell is wrong with me?" and there was a collective shrugging of shoulders.

So Karen, keep on trying, keep on plugging.  There is an answer out there, and even though we may not like it, it's way better than "uhhh.... I don't know".

3 comments:

pokie too said...

Look at you go. I am so proud of your writing...this is great! I am so glad you are close mile wise to Karen so you can give her hugs for me and she can give you some too. I really miss you guys my very special friends...love pokie

Anonymous said...

Marian
my life is so blessed to have a friend like you in it! Thank you so much for your friendship and support...I am so lucky to be in the
"Princess" club with you!!! Thank you for you care,love and friendship...without you and the rest of our "gang" I would be lost...I get such strength from each of you!! Thank you for caring about me my sweet friend!! We will fight this battle together!!

Peter weller said...

I was diagnosed in November 2007 with Parkinson's Disease. I have left side tremors, balance and gait issues and some non-motor symptoms:  quiet voice, some cognitive decline, small handwriting. I am currently on Sinemet for tremors and Cymbalta for neuropathy related to diabetes and previous chemotherapy. It was on my 25th anniversary of surviving breast cancer that I got the PD diagnosis. I am 69, retired, single woman sharing a house with my sister.  I like to read, quilt, and crochet. I have been reading up on PD.  Until I read too much and it scares me.  Then I put it away until I calm down and can research it some more. I need advice and some direction. I searched further, visited Parkinson’s websites, blogs. I find info about someone having the same symptoms. I was really determined. Fortunately for me, I stumbled on a testimony of someone who had Parkinson’s for several years and was cured through Herbal medication. I read awesome stories of people whose condition were worse. I was not a fan of Herbal Medication, because I once believed that they have not researched it enough. But due to numerous testimonies  I was more than willing to try it…. I contacted  Dr. Fabien, and I purchased the medicine and used just the way doctor instructed. Its a thing of joy to come back and make my review.. It became a miracle for me within 7 months. The herbal medication worked without any trace of side effects on I’m…. totally free. I have been cured for Parkinson’s. I was a shocking experience with the medicine. I never knew I will be free for Parkinson’s disease.  Email dr.fabiencontantin@gmail.com or www.kunimeherbs.com

About Me

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I'm a lucky lady. I have a wonderful husband of 27 years, a fantastic 25 year old son (I'm so proud of him!) a loving and supportive family, the best friends in the world, a job that I love, and... Parkinson's Disease. I was diagnosed in September 2006. That was a jolt, but I'm learning to deal with it.