I had been waiting on a call from Nicole’s cardiologist office regarding her blood levels being low. Her doctor there relocated to California in May as he wife got a job out there. 
( There are two other doctors in the practice and Dr. Appleton had referred her to the woman doctor. When I got the blood work back and called to speak with the nurse this doctor was out of the office so she talked to the other doctor.
Yesterday, I called and left a message for the nurse as I had not heard from anybody. Last night about 9:00 p.m. the doctor called and I talked to him for about 30 minutes regarding Nicole. It looks like he is going to take over her care. He is concerned that one her red blood cell count is low for her even though according to the numbers it is borderline high. His second concern is that her hemoglobin and hemocrit are also low for her… just like with the red blood cells she is borderline high if you look at the numbers and third her platelet count while technically still in the normal range (but barely) it has been decreasing. He has researched her medications and two of the three medications she’s on will/does/can cause lowering of the platelets or suppress bone marrow. I knew one did this but not the other. I’m not sure that this really makes a difference as she must take the medication and there’s not a lot to choose from as some of the other medications also cause lowering of the platelets.
He had not spoken with the ph specialist but what he wants to do is have us come in to his office so he can meet with us. He will then give us a script so when she gets her monthly blood work they will do a test to see how much iron is in her blood. According to what this number says and it may or may not be within normal ranges but we have to look at it from the stand point of Nicole’s heart condition and where should be in this respect.
He did tell me what kind of iron supplement he wants her to take but he doesn’t want me to purchase it or give it to her yet until we know for sure it is her iron. If it’s not her iron then we start all over again trying to find a reason and a solution. I pray that it will just be that she’s anemic. If she is we will have to work with the dosage as too much iron will lead to constipation issues.
So, I will be calling this morning to set up an appointment. I tell you her appointments are hectic this month. I already have for the rest of the month for her a dentist appointment, a counseling appointment, an allergist appointment and now a cardiologist appointment along with her blood work.
Hi–It sounds like this doctor could be a helpful advocate. I like that he did his research before calling. (Although… are you okay with 9 p.m. phone calls?). What did you think of him during the call?
Hi Denise:
He called my cell phone first which I always have on vibrate and I didn’t hear it only the voice mail/text notification. I saw the number and didn’t recognize it. Nicole and I were watching TV so I waited until we were done to check message. Before the show was over the same number called the home phone but I didn’t recognize it so I didn’t answer.
The nurse told me that he contacted her and she told him to call me at home. He was hesitate because it was 9:00 p.m. Personally, I am glad he did. I liked him.
Hugs:o)
Jane
Jane, it can be a real value to have a new point of view on something like this. It sounds as though you are doing just the right thing by working with a new doc to go through the steps again – it’s trying for sure, but what a great thing this new doc is interested and investigating! The real thing is that no one can really do anything without your consent, so nothing really has to change unless you and you daughter feel it’s a change for the better.
Good for YOU!
Hi Jennifer:
I appreciate the fact that he did spend so much time researching this.
Hugs:o)
Jane
Hi Jane,
I’m so glad for this new doctor. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes are just what are needed. I hope you find comfort in this new situation.
Hi Bette:
Thank you ….
Hugs:o)
Jane