Wednesday, August 4, 2021

A bit of a shock


 

So on July 17th I decided to see the my family doctor.  Earlier that week I noticed my right ankle was swollen and was worried it was the start of heart failure (my mom eventually passed away from this condition).  The doctor assured me it wasn't, that it was more likely a bite or something.  He said it would start more from my shin.  He examined my back with his stethoscope, maybe checking my lungs?  I was happy to accept that I was ok except a few weeks later the ankle swelled up again. I have some annual bloodwork to complete as part of a physical where it will probably be a follow up phone call after.  It could even be the Amlopidine blood pressure meds side effect. I told him I was pleased with my blood pressure readings since I started on the 2nd medicine along with the first sometime back in 2019.

 I asked how he was doing as I hadn't been in since Dec 2019 due to Covid.  He said 'you know I am not Terry, right?'  I should mention he was wearing a mask and the twin doctors run a practice together.  'Terry died last September'.  I was shocked and pressed for the cause of death.  It was cancer.  Terry was my doctor for 35 years.  I know he had a son who is about my daughter's age, and I am guessing he wasn't yet 60, so sad.  I asked his brother if he was taking over Terry's patients and he said 'as best he could'. 

Husband M thought they should have informed Terry's patients that he had died.  Anyway, I am ok with continuing with his brother as my family doctor.

These posts serve as a record on my blog, I will often search it for medical incidents, recipes and past art rather than rely on memory.  Do you ever find yourself doing the same?

24 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

I really wonder why so many cancers these days...it's just horrible. Hope your ankle is not more swollen by now, Christine.

Valerie-Jael said...

Hope our ankle is now better. Sorry to hear about the doctor who died, so sad. Have a great day, take care, hugs, Valerie

DUTA said...

You should immediately have placed ice on the swollen ankle, and only if that didn't improve condition, a visit to the doctor.
Sadly, doctors die too. They also eat 'recipe' food, and enjoy the use of screens, like all of us.

Ivy's Closet said...

OH MY...what a strange time we are in. And of course, the mysteries of our illnesses aren't always explained. I do hope you are OK. I'm sorry to hear the news of the doctor's passing. Yes, we all have our own way of posting our problems from time to time. And a way to look back at their history.

Kathy G said...

I would have thought you would have gotten some type of communication about your doctor passing. It's nice that you can continue with the same practice, although the doctor may be overwhelmed with a double patient load.

Aishu said...

Hoping your ankle will be all better soon. It's sad to hear that. If they had informed you it would have been a little better... Hope you have a good week.

gigi-hawaii said...

Oh that is so sad that your doctor died of cancer. His brother should have informed you when you first saw him. And yes, the amlodipine can cause edema in the ankle. That is what happened to me so I switched to a different medication.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your doctor.

ashok said...

Take care Chris

Hot guys said...

SO much truth in that quote. And yes, Christine, life can be quite hard. 😏

Christine said...

Thx for your feedback Gigi it helps.

Christine said...

That’s why we need ‘Hot Guys’ blog!

Jenn Jilks said...

What a shock, indeed. Good luck with your ankles. I have bursitis in my hip and it is driving me nuts! (Not a long drive!) Yes, I record stuff on my blog to find later, as well. Especially hubby's 65+ cancer appointments!

J.P. Alexander said...

Espero que estés bien y que pena lo de tu médico. Te mando un beso

DVArtist said...

Wow! That would be shock for sure. I wasn't expecting that in your story. Are you OK?

peppylady (Dora) said...

In my opinion they should of send letter to all of the patient who saw him.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Christine said...

Well I am not in pain Nicole.

Kay said...

I'm so glad you're feeling OK now. That was a worry. My mom is also on Amlodipine and doing well with it. She used to take simvastatin and this is much better. I wish you'd gotten a notification about your doctor. He was much too young to have passed away.

Busy Bee Suz said...

That is so sad to hear; he was young. I hope all is well with you though. Keep us updated.
I absolutely use my blog as a journal for our family and I often go back to check dates/items from the past.

Ananka said...

That is a shame to hear about your doctor. I agree they should have let his patients know. Glad all is okay with you :-D

Ginny said...

I agree with your husband that usually they let people know. Maybe if it's a family practice the family was just overwhelmed. That is sad that he passed.

Jennifer Rose said...

I've never had a set Dr. so a long as they know their job I wouldn't care if I had of been told of the brother's death and the alive brother was taking over

Lowcarb team member said...

Such a shame about your doctor. I think it would have been better to let his patients know, but in these times of Covid perhaps it hasn't been as easy to do surgery paperwork etc.

I do hope your ankle problem rights itself, take care.

All the best Jan

baili said...

i am sorry about the ankle dear Christine ,hope and pray you are feeling better now ,i was happy the way you took the matter seriously ,glad that all is fine
35 years is quite a time ,i am sorry he died as early age! hope his brother carry his duties well .
please take care .
and yes i am quite forgetful about dates so really sometimes but i go to check them ,i wish i can have at least copy of my mom's diary which has every important date of our life as family