I'm going back to physical therapy Monday with a lymphedema specialist. Lymphedema is unfortunately one of those things you never really conquer. It's a result of the removal of lymph nodes that had cancer in them during my bilateral mastectomy. I went through months of it after my surgery just to be able to lift my left arm up. I went through all the wrapping of the arm, the sleeves, the night sleeves. I've got a plastic box full of stuff.
This time, it will be different.
I've had pain in my left side, just to the side and bottom of my breast, for a few months now. Once I lay down, it's difficult -- and painful -- to get back up. Something's going on with the muscles used for this type of movement. A shot to relieve the pain would only help temporarily. So Dr. Perkins is sending me back for some physical therapy to see if it will help relieve the pain. It's almost like the difficulty I had after the mastectomy, lifting the upper portion of my body.
When I told Dr. Askren that I was going to do this, he said he was sorry he didn't think of that himself. He knows if anyone can help, it will be this particular therapist.
They tell me Julie Cash works miracles.
I'm counting on it.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Yet another good doctor
When my oncologist, Dr. Chris Perkins, recommended I see a dermatologist to ensure I didn't have any skin issues going on, I wasn't happy. This was a suggestion during my routine 3-month checkup. But good dermatologists are difficult to find in Fresno. Believe me, I had tried before and wasn't happy with what I heard about any of them, except for one.
I stalled for awhile. Probably a couple of months. At my next visit to my plastic surgeon, Dr. Carl Askren, I told him I needed a good dermatologist. He recommended the same doctor everyone recommends. Dr. Tashjian. That's who he'd go to. I told him I had already tried to get in to see him, but they had informed me he wasn't taking on new patients.
Dr. Askren offered to see what he could do to get me in. Within days, I had an appointment. This is what good doctors do for you. They work with you and for you.
Of course, my luck being my luck, he found some pre-cancerous spots on my nose and I've been going through some minor treatment that's only bad in the way it makes you look for awhile. A red nose full of spots for a couple of weeks followed by some cortisone treatment. It's been about 3 weeks. I still have the spots, but they are slowing disappearing.
I will tell you he's, without hesitation, the best dermatologist in town. He spends time with you. And as everyone knows, you'll never get in at your scheduled time. They have the call-ahead plan, which works just fine. But I'd rather wait and have a good experience, than be rushed through an exam that leaves me feeling like I never really saw the doctor.
So, I've happily added another good doctor to my list of great Fresno physicians. And I've taken care of what could have been another bout with cancer.
I stalled for awhile. Probably a couple of months. At my next visit to my plastic surgeon, Dr. Carl Askren, I told him I needed a good dermatologist. He recommended the same doctor everyone recommends. Dr. Tashjian. That's who he'd go to. I told him I had already tried to get in to see him, but they had informed me he wasn't taking on new patients.
Dr. Askren offered to see what he could do to get me in. Within days, I had an appointment. This is what good doctors do for you. They work with you and for you.
Of course, my luck being my luck, he found some pre-cancerous spots on my nose and I've been going through some minor treatment that's only bad in the way it makes you look for awhile. A red nose full of spots for a couple of weeks followed by some cortisone treatment. It's been about 3 weeks. I still have the spots, but they are slowing disappearing.
I will tell you he's, without hesitation, the best dermatologist in town. He spends time with you. And as everyone knows, you'll never get in at your scheduled time. They have the call-ahead plan, which works just fine. But I'd rather wait and have a good experience, than be rushed through an exam that leaves me feeling like I never really saw the doctor.
So, I've happily added another good doctor to my list of great Fresno physicians. And I've taken care of what could have been another bout with cancer.
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