Anyway, the trip to hospital was interesting. Very different to my local hospital. I thought it was very disorganized & was very worrying with how they treated their patients / clients or whatever.
I got a great spiel when I went in as they classed me as a private patient as I had private medical insurance. It didn't really worry me as I had to be treated anyway.
On admission I was given ("sold") the benefits of being a private patient. Free car parking, Free newspaper and Free TV.
Well, I got dropped off so we didnt really use the parking. The newspaper I got was an afterthought on the way out... and the free tv had like 2 foxtel channels and was so tiny I really had to wear my glasses to see it - It was so tiny!
After the op I was in a ward with 3 others (maybe 6 in total - cant remember now!)
The preliminaries were interesting. Didn't mind waiting the 3 or 4 hours with nothing to eat in the morning with other patients and their visitors eating in the waiting area.... and noticed a number of signs about hygeine and washing hands etc. Sounded ok.
Went into the booking area and got weighed ( I think their scales were way over - I could not have weighed more than I did the previous day after eating nothing???!!!). The nurse took down my medicines - I had thought ahead and brought them all with the pre-printed chemist labels and she dutifully transposed them onto a myriad of forms. I got one of those hospital plastic bracelets & was told to strip off - everything including the underwear. This sort of surprised me as every op that I've had in every other hospital was ok to wear cotton (not synthetic) underwear.
This was very uncomfortable for all the patients in the area - especially the older folk who were definitely uncomfortable with this practice! I asked the nurse why but didn't get an answer other than it's hospital policy....
I waited with the other patients for quite some time like a traffic jam waiting with all the other patients going to theatre...
This gave me plenty of time to watch.
The new nurses came on shift - it seemed as though only one was a regular & the others were temps. The nurse was going to great lengths explaining their policies and procedures and yes - not the green form, they have to use the white form... sort of explanations.
Even the orderlies seemed mismatched there - with discussions like we don't do it like that here, we do it this way....
Anyway I eventually got wheeled up to theatre - Although the hospital was a square in shape, the corridors angled off so I got totally lost & had no idea where I was (even when I was in the room I had no idea of where I was in relation to everything else...)
It was funny as I couldn't remember my surgeon - and didn't recognise him in his theatre gown!
I was hoping to get a glimpse of the machine they were going to use on me but I was out to it very quickly and in recovery before I new it!
There were about 4 anaesthetic staff I met, including the actual anaesthetist who was a very nice lady - she said that I'd get a bill from her but not to worry if it was more than the gap... Nice lady!
The previous op that I had was very very messy. I had dried blood in my hair, in my eyebrows and around the back of my neck. I still wonder how all that happened as it was my nose not elsewhere that got operated on!
I understand though that my particular op is very messy. It's one of the main blood vessels that's under pressure. Once the scabs come off it's like a high pressure hose that bleeds - hence the masks, gloves and other stuff that they all wear - and hence the mess.
Anyway, the recovery was interesting. I think on at least 4 occasions in the room I asked the nurses to check the medications - Normally I get a type of gel cream that has to be applied to the nose to keep it moist - and i think it is an antibiotic too to keep infection out. Each nurse checked the charts and confirmed that it had not been prescribed. This surprised me - but I assumed different hospital, different techniques.
I was really surprised come the late nurse - asked her the same question and she said yes - it was on my chart & didn't I have it!!???
I also had a nurse - 3 different nurses (afternoon, evening & morning) try to inject me with a substance. None of them could explain to me what it was & why - other than it was hospital policy to give everyone that had an operation there this needle.
Thankfully I had my wits about me & managed to enagage in conversation to try to work it out. Strangely though all the nurses got defensive & started arguing with me as to why I was refusing treatment!!! One nurse complained that I was going against my doctors advice! I said to her did my doctor know that what it was she was injecting? They all said that they would actively write on my file that I had refused treatment - all without explaining to me what it was they were doing!
I since found out that the injection was heparin - a blood thinner. A definite no-no for someone that has this type of bleeding disorder!
I mentioned this to my ENT's and they were horrified that the staff knew the type of problem I had and had assumed that this type of needle was ok for EVERYONE!
Unbelievable. I was told that I was right to refuse treatment!
The catering staff were interesting.
When I got to the room there was already someone else's cup's there. I asked the kitchen staff when they delivered the evening meal to take it away - all she did was grunt at me as she pushed the dinner towards me. In the end it was like a wild west standoff. So I moved the cup out of her way - she slammed the food down & turned her back on me and walked off!
The bin in the room was overflowing & not emptied the whole time (2 days) that I was in there.
I had trouble with my medicinces as the bleeding upsets my tummy & the one experimental medicine I am on also upsets me - I have to have them at a particular time.
however, this was not convenient for the nursing staff and I found later that they have a pill nurse.
2 of the nurses checked my medicies (pm & am the next day) and argued with me that I had an illegal prescription because the first nurse in admission had written 16mg on the admission papers and I had 32mg. I've had 32mg of this medication for some time (1.5 years) and they were telling me that the chemist had illegally prescribed it to me?!!! They refused to administer it and refused to allow me to take it when I needed it (ie, with meal, not at 8pm).
So they left the medicine draw unlocked & I medicated myself....
Well, the 8pm pill nurse came along to give me my medicine and was beside herself as I had done it myself (I am over 18 now!) She gave me the one that I didnt have & took everything & locked it away.
This caused me a problem later in the night as I needed a puffer for asthma - my throat was not too good after the op - and I had breathing trouble & I couldnt get to the puffers nor have the nurses respond to the call!
The night was interesting. A lady down the far end of the wards was crying for ages 'nurse' 'nurse' (actually a bit like that ad the unions ran a few years ago!) and no-one would see to her.
That was sad as the nurse eventually got up from her station and yelled at her that she was a silly old cow and that people are trying to sleep so shut up!
Love the bedside manner.
She carried on again & got another talking too....
Also the nurses were complaining in the late evening about job demarkation. That's a num's job (nursing unit manager)! - or a RN's job (Registered Nurse) - at the door to our room. Not very professional.
The poor guy opposite was struggling after his op - the 2 other people in the room were telling the nurses that this guy needed a particular drug/pill to relieve the (wind) pain & was ignored. At 11 at night the doctor came & administered morphine and about 1 am finally have the guy the medicine he needed.
The choice of food was excellent.
The drinking/fluids were very surprising.
Water or cordial!
Yes - cost cutting I am sure!!!!!!!!
The following day was just as eventful. I did get discharged but the nurse could not release the canular from the drip. It was turning in my hand as she tried to disconnect it. She went away & got another nurse who managed to release it.. & then got the hand bandaged.
I got up to get changed and noticed my wrist had gone red with blood - the canular hole kept bleeding after it was removed. I got one of the nurses who said it happens all the time - sit down & apply pressure & it eventually will stop - which it did. I asked for a new bandage & was refused - so I went home with a blood soaked wrist & bandage which was not very professional!
The last almighty concern was with the patient in the bed next to me. Lovely lady - She apparently had something very major go wrong in surgery and had a "warden" with her. The other patients played up on this and used the nurse to attend to fluffing their pillows & was good for a chat.
The administrators came in the following day as we were readying ourselves & closed the "cone of silence" around her (ie, the curtain). It's amazing how sound proofed these things are!
Anyway the story goes that one of the nurses on duty was "after her" - in a threatening manner & had said she was going to do her in with an injection... All a big fuss and worse.
We left shortly after that, totally amazed with the hospital experience. All to know that I'll be returning there again.............
Monday, February 16, 2009
Update on Bleeding
We'll I'm a bit late at updating this one, but I did end up in hospital and underwent the new treatment which seemed to last me quite a while this time. Much better results than the standard electrocauterization.
They did the procedure in September 2008, and minor bleeding resumed after about 3 weeks. Nothing too major. I did get some muck out about 2 days after the op - but I guess that was normal.
I lasted around 3 months this time before the bad bleeding came back.
I've been managing up until January 2009 when the severe bleeding returned. I sort of rate the bleeding into categories. Normal bleeding lasts 10-20 minutes - a good bleed stops after 5 or so minutes. I dont mind them at all. The problem ones are 30-40+ minutes; with the ambulance calling ones / hospital ones much longer than that.
Since the regular cauterization ops the bleeds are more managable.
I've only started the 40 - 120 minute bleeds lately. Feels like a waterfall - just gushing as soon as I release the pressure. So the trick is DONT release the pressure!!!
My nose goes numb after about 20 minutes so I usually release the pressure a bit to see if it's slowed (and to give my nose a break!). I think I even got pins and needles in my nose once as I was holding onto it so tight!
They did the procedure in September 2008, and minor bleeding resumed after about 3 weeks. Nothing too major. I did get some muck out about 2 days after the op - but I guess that was normal.
I lasted around 3 months this time before the bad bleeding came back.
I've been managing up until January 2009 when the severe bleeding returned. I sort of rate the bleeding into categories. Normal bleeding lasts 10-20 minutes - a good bleed stops after 5 or so minutes. I dont mind them at all. The problem ones are 30-40+ minutes; with the ambulance calling ones / hospital ones much longer than that.
Since the regular cauterization ops the bleeds are more managable.
I've only started the 40 - 120 minute bleeds lately. Feels like a waterfall - just gushing as soon as I release the pressure. So the trick is DONT release the pressure!!!
My nose goes numb after about 20 minutes so I usually release the pressure a bit to see if it's slowed (and to give my nose a break!). I think I even got pins and needles in my nose once as I was holding onto it so tight!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Waiting Lists
I had an interesting discussion with my normal ENT (this happened about a week after the ambulance visit...)
I sort of felt that I was not in control - ie, the condition was getting worse & I was not managing it properly, so I had to go back for a fit-in appointment...
I got asked a basic question - I have private health insurance, so why hadn't I had the operation yet?
This seemed a very logical question - and I had no answer!
My ENT called the sydney specialist & I called as well.
What we found out was that yes I could be seen as a private patient (urgently) but the machine that I needed treatment with had a waiting list - which means that I have to wait in a queue with everyone else for it & that waiting list is managed by the hospital as the machine is a government machine....
SO you have a 30 day list, 90 day list & so on.
When I spoke with the Sydney ENT, I had been put on the 90 day list which after speaking with them the second time means about 9 months?
So I got moved up to the 30 day list which means about 3 months...
But after the 2nd visit to the ENT & then ambulance visit, they classified me as urgent - so I think it took about 2-3 weeks to get an appointment scheduled.
I'm quite confused how this process works - this is for Bankstown Hospital. Not like the procedure that I undergo when I go to Nepean. I guess I am lucky in that I dont need a special machine when I go to Nepean (they dont have the same technology there - it's just the standard equip) so I have what needs to be done as & when required (usually with about 2 weeks notice).
I guess the other interesting this I learned was that in this case having private hospital cover makes no difference! Which I guess was a misunderstanding on my part...
Very confusing!
Now it gets more interesting if you google waiting lists - you get a Australian Government definition of waiting list - being anything that doesnt need to be done within 24 hours..... see http://www.aph.gov.au/library/Pubs/BN/2007-08/Hospital_waiting_lists.htm
The NSW department of health has an interesting policy document on waiting lists - fascinating reading... So you get up the list if it's likely you'll end up in hospital anyway??!! http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2006/pdf/PD2006_020.pdf
trying to get the actual waiting list tiems for the nsw hospitals seems difficult - you follow one web link to another, etc and then end up with a general info page. not very helpful at all!
I did find this link... http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/hospitals/waitingtimes/summary.asp
It's interesting to see the current pdf report http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/hospitals/waitingtimes/pdf/Jun2008.pdf
ENT procedures at bankstown are listed as 8 months wait!!!!! Nepean is only 3 months - but they dont have the special machine.
Interestingly, there were 2,030 patients waiting at nepean! and 1,845 at Bankstown..
- Raymond
I sort of felt that I was not in control - ie, the condition was getting worse & I was not managing it properly, so I had to go back for a fit-in appointment...
I got asked a basic question - I have private health insurance, so why hadn't I had the operation yet?
This seemed a very logical question - and I had no answer!
My ENT called the sydney specialist & I called as well.
What we found out was that yes I could be seen as a private patient (urgently) but the machine that I needed treatment with had a waiting list - which means that I have to wait in a queue with everyone else for it & that waiting list is managed by the hospital as the machine is a government machine....
SO you have a 30 day list, 90 day list & so on.
When I spoke with the Sydney ENT, I had been put on the 90 day list which after speaking with them the second time means about 9 months?
So I got moved up to the 30 day list which means about 3 months...
But after the 2nd visit to the ENT & then ambulance visit, they classified me as urgent - so I think it took about 2-3 weeks to get an appointment scheduled.
I'm quite confused how this process works - this is for Bankstown Hospital. Not like the procedure that I undergo when I go to Nepean. I guess I am lucky in that I dont need a special machine when I go to Nepean (they dont have the same technology there - it's just the standard equip) so I have what needs to be done as & when required (usually with about 2 weeks notice).
I guess the other interesting this I learned was that in this case having private hospital cover makes no difference! Which I guess was a misunderstanding on my part...
Very confusing!
Now it gets more interesting if you google waiting lists - you get a Australian Government definition of waiting list - being anything that doesnt need to be done within 24 hours..... see http://www.aph.gov.au/library/Pubs/BN/2007-08/Hospital_waiting_lists.htm
The NSW department of health has an interesting policy document on waiting lists - fascinating reading... So you get up the list if it's likely you'll end up in hospital anyway??!! http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2006/pdf/PD2006_020.pdf
trying to get the actual waiting list tiems for the nsw hospitals seems difficult - you follow one web link to another, etc and then end up with a general info page. not very helpful at all!
I did find this link... http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/hospitals/waitingtimes/summary.asp
It's interesting to see the current pdf report http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/hospitals/waitingtimes/pdf/Jun2008.pdf
ENT procedures at bankstown are listed as 8 months wait!!!!! Nepean is only 3 months - but they dont have the special machine.
Interestingly, there were 2,030 patients waiting at nepean! and 1,845 at Bankstown..
- Raymond
It's been over a month now
Time flies - I cant believe another month has gone!
The last few weeks have been very tiring.
I am finding that I am bleeding a lot at night at the moment, so my sleep is very disturbed.
I had a very bad series of bleeds during last Thursday (am & pm) and spent most of the day at home trying to be quiet - Very messy otherwise!
Then some good news! - I had about 4 days in a row with no bleeding. I started to feel again what 'normal' was like - It's nice to have a bit of energy & not feel so lethargic.
But I'm back to normal again, with small but frequent bleeds in the night & a few in the day.
Monday has been confirmed as the 'op' day - I'll be in for 2 days. Partially because the hospital is a little away for me to travel & it's difficult to get to & back again (on my own with anaesthetic etc =- you're not supposed to drive & so on for 24 hours).
I got into trouble during 1 hospital visit when I got caught carrying my plastic bag of things out with me a couple of hours after the op. Big trouble for that. Apparently not supposed to do even that!
Proably too I'd lost a lot of blood, had a few needles & things & was very pale - that may have had something to do with it too.
Anyway, I'm very hopeful that this new procedure will give me relief for a greater period of time.
The specialist says it's not a cure, but better than the standard cautery.
I just have to hope that they dont cause a performation this time (blowing a hole in my nose through my nose....) or loose a lot of blood.
I think I am O+ ... so that's pretty common I think! (about the only thing about me that is common!)
Anyway, I'll know more next week.
Success will be defined as no more bleeding for a few weeks (6 weeks if I'm lucky!) and failure is just the same as now (or causing a perforation).
The last few weeks have been very tiring.
I am finding that I am bleeding a lot at night at the moment, so my sleep is very disturbed.
I had a very bad series of bleeds during last Thursday (am & pm) and spent most of the day at home trying to be quiet - Very messy otherwise!
Then some good news! - I had about 4 days in a row with no bleeding. I started to feel again what 'normal' was like - It's nice to have a bit of energy & not feel so lethargic.
But I'm back to normal again, with small but frequent bleeds in the night & a few in the day.
Monday has been confirmed as the 'op' day - I'll be in for 2 days. Partially because the hospital is a little away for me to travel & it's difficult to get to & back again (on my own with anaesthetic etc =- you're not supposed to drive & so on for 24 hours).
I got into trouble during 1 hospital visit when I got caught carrying my plastic bag of things out with me a couple of hours after the op. Big trouble for that. Apparently not supposed to do even that!
Proably too I'd lost a lot of blood, had a few needles & things & was very pale - that may have had something to do with it too.
Anyway, I'm very hopeful that this new procedure will give me relief for a greater period of time.
The specialist says it's not a cure, but better than the standard cautery.
I just have to hope that they dont cause a performation this time (blowing a hole in my nose through my nose....) or loose a lot of blood.
I think I am O+ ... so that's pretty common I think! (about the only thing about me that is common!)
Anyway, I'll know more next week.
Success will be defined as no more bleeding for a few weeks (6 weeks if I'm lucky!) and failure is just the same as now (or causing a perforation).
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Visit from the boys in blue...
no, not the police - the ambulance. They wear blue too!
Over the last few days the bleeding has come back - quite severe this time. Started Sunday night (or is it Monday morning) about 3am - just woke up, didn't see any blood & went back to sleep. At 4.30 it started with a vengeance - very fluid & flowing...
It took over an hour to slow & stop whilst I watched a little bit of early morning tv, then fell asleep on the lounge. It started again at 7,.30 for 15 mins & stopped then at 9, when I was out at a client, it started again.
Not much fun.
Today a couple of smaller bleeds, then tonight b4 7, it started gushing & wouldnt stop. After about 40 mins I called an ambulance - the specialist said when I've had a lot of nose bleeds, only let it go for 20 - so I let it go for another 20, just to make sure it wasnt going to stop. 000 operator was a bit frustrating as it's hard to talk clearly & bleed at the same time. I thought your name & address & phone number came up on the screen automatically, but had to repeat myself a couple of times.
Anyway - after 8 the ambulance came - just as the bleeeding stopped. I was in a bit of a mess but they just settled me, took my blood pressure & made sure I wasnt going to pass out.
I think it took them longer to do the paperwork than anything else.
So I feel quite sore now - I find that when I've bled alot - and very thirsty. I think I've drunk about 8 large glasses of water since & still want more.
Very messy - will need yet another change of clothes but that's life!
Very light headed - had an hydrolight (one of those ice block thinggies with the mineral stuff in it) & felt heaps better after that. I know tomorrow I wont feel well at all so it is a couple of days rest for me & a call to the specialist to see how that hospital waiting list is going....
Over the last few days the bleeding has come back - quite severe this time. Started Sunday night (or is it Monday morning) about 3am - just woke up, didn't see any blood & went back to sleep. At 4.30 it started with a vengeance - very fluid & flowing...
It took over an hour to slow & stop whilst I watched a little bit of early morning tv, then fell asleep on the lounge. It started again at 7,.30 for 15 mins & stopped then at 9, when I was out at a client, it started again.
Not much fun.
Today a couple of smaller bleeds, then tonight b4 7, it started gushing & wouldnt stop. After about 40 mins I called an ambulance - the specialist said when I've had a lot of nose bleeds, only let it go for 20 - so I let it go for another 20, just to make sure it wasnt going to stop. 000 operator was a bit frustrating as it's hard to talk clearly & bleed at the same time. I thought your name & address & phone number came up on the screen automatically, but had to repeat myself a couple of times.
Anyway - after 8 the ambulance came - just as the bleeeding stopped. I was in a bit of a mess but they just settled me, took my blood pressure & made sure I wasnt going to pass out.
I think it took them longer to do the paperwork than anything else.
So I feel quite sore now - I find that when I've bled alot - and very thirsty. I think I've drunk about 8 large glasses of water since & still want more.
Very messy - will need yet another change of clothes but that's life!
Very light headed - had an hydrolight (one of those ice block thinggies with the mineral stuff in it) & felt heaps better after that. I know tomorrow I wont feel well at all so it is a couple of days rest for me & a call to the specialist to see how that hospital waiting list is going....
Monday, July 28, 2008
Updated Pathology Results
Yeah - the results are in.
A benign colloidal mass? I think I got that right. It just has to be monitored regularly & we'll see how it goes.
I asked the doctor about the "eye flutters" and leg cramps - he said something about stress & muscle fatigue - probably related to the blood loss & tiredness etc.
So some magnesium from the health food shop should help stop that.
So I just need to wait now for my name to come up at Bankstown Hospital... for the other surgery!
- Raymond
A benign colloidal mass? I think I got that right. It just has to be monitored regularly & we'll see how it goes.
I asked the doctor about the "eye flutters" and leg cramps - he said something about stress & muscle fatigue - probably related to the blood loss & tiredness etc.
So some magnesium from the health food shop should help stop that.
So I just need to wait now for my name to come up at Bankstown Hospital... for the other surgery!
- Raymond
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Initial results from Ultrascan
I got some initial results from the ultrascan today.
On the left, I have a vascular lump 2.5cm x 2cm x 1.7cm "circumscribed heterogeneous solid nodule with central cystic degeneration and tiny areas of calcification".
On the right I have a 3.9mm solid nodule & 2.7mm hypoechoic nodule. I wonder if that means I have 2 lumps or whether it's one with 2 characteristics?
So I guess the concern now is that I have a 'complex solid nodule with a cystic structure & calcification and moderate vascularity - 2.5cm in diameter'
So I will have to have a biopsy after all - booked in for Friday morning.
I had to call up a medical dictionary to look at some of the terms - (ultimately I know not to rely on the radiology report; I need to have some clarification from the pathology & my other doctors)
---------------
from wikipedia & medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
Vascular: An organ or tissue that is vascularized is heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood.
circumscribed:bounded or limited; confined to a limited space.
Heterogeneous is an adjective used to describe something that has a large number of variants or different forms; is one that consists of many different items, which are often not easily sorted or separated, though they are clearly distinct.
A nodule describes an aggregation of similar cells or particles
Interestingly, A cyst is a closed sac having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. They may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, the cyst could go away by itself or will have to be removed using surgery
degeneration: deterioration; change from a higher to a lower form, especially change of tissue to a lower or less functionally active form
Calcification is the process in which the mineral calcium builds up in soft tissue, causing it to harden.
hypoechoic: in ultrasonography, giving off few echoes; said of tissues or structures that reflect relatively few of the ultrasound waves directed at them
------------
My general understanding is that a calcification or round lump/nodule is nothing to be concerned about. However the vascular & irregular lumps are more of an issue - that's the vasular and Heterogeneous one.
--------------
I did a search and found this one in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_cancer
It's interesting to note that....
so the fine needle biopsy is a good alternative at the moment in the diagnosis of what these lumps are...
It's interesting, from memory, some of my thyroid function tests have been low (and back to normal) again over the last 18 months or so - we just assumed that it was due to the bleeding HHT disorder.
So it's interesting to find these lumps now.
I didnt know where the thyroid was, so when they did the ultrasound, I was a little surprised. See this image
http://thyroid.about.com/library/links/blthyroid.htm
Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually go along with a slowdown in metabolism, and can include fatigue, weight gain, and depression, among others.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle, but can include
I've also had some really really bad cramps in the legs - the last one on saturday night/sunday morning was so bad I couldnt straighten my leg for the day nor put any sort of pressure on it. It's taken about 36 hours to come good! I've had some leg cramps (only 1 other bad one like that) but given 1/2hr or so it sorts itself out.
I'm getting around the memory problem / concentration problem by utilising a diary & notebook - didnt realise it was also an issue until I saw the above list!
I thought it was me getting old!
The chronic fatigue & tiredness we put down to blood loss; but maybe not!
Interesting again...
On the left, I have a vascular lump 2.5cm x 2cm x 1.7cm "circumscribed heterogeneous solid nodule with central cystic degeneration and tiny areas of calcification".
On the right I have a 3.9mm solid nodule & 2.7mm hypoechoic nodule. I wonder if that means I have 2 lumps or whether it's one with 2 characteristics?
So I guess the concern now is that I have a 'complex solid nodule with a cystic structure & calcification and moderate vascularity - 2.5cm in diameter'
So I will have to have a biopsy after all - booked in for Friday morning.
I had to call up a medical dictionary to look at some of the terms - (ultimately I know not to rely on the radiology report; I need to have some clarification from the pathology & my other doctors)
---------------
from wikipedia & medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
Vascular: An organ or tissue that is vascularized is heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood.
circumscribed:bounded or limited; confined to a limited space.
Heterogeneous is an adjective used to describe something that has a large number of variants or different forms; is one that consists of many different items, which are often not easily sorted or separated, though they are clearly distinct.
A nodule describes an aggregation of similar cells or particles
Interestingly, A cyst is a closed sac having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. They may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, the cyst could go away by itself or will have to be removed using surgery
degeneration: deterioration; change from a higher to a lower form, especially change of tissue to a lower or less functionally active form
Calcification is the process in which the mineral calcium builds up in soft tissue, causing it to harden.
hypoechoic: in ultrasonography, giving off few echoes; said of tissues or structures that reflect relatively few of the ultrasound waves directed at them
------------
My general understanding is that a calcification or round lump/nodule is nothing to be concerned about. However the vascular & irregular lumps are more of an issue - that's the vasular and Heterogeneous one.
--------------
I did a search and found this one in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_cancer
It's interesting to note that....
The blood assays may be accompanied by ultrasound imaging of the nodule to determine the position, size and texture, and to assess whether the nodule may be cystic (fluid filled). Also suspicious findings in a nodule are hypoechoic,[3] irregular borders, microcalcifications, or very high levels of blood flow within the nodule.
Less suspicious findings in benign nodules include, hyperechoic, comet tail artifacts from colloid, no blood flow in the nodule and a halo, or smooth border.
so the fine needle biopsy is a good alternative at the moment in the diagnosis of what these lumps are...
It's interesting, from memory, some of my thyroid function tests have been low (and back to normal) again over the last 18 months or so - we just assumed that it was due to the bleeding HHT disorder.
So it's interesting to find these lumps now.
I didnt know where the thyroid was, so when they did the ultrasound, I was a little surprised. See this image
http://thyroid.about.com/library/links/blthyroid.htm
Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually go along with a slowdown in metabolism, and can include fatigue, weight gain, and depression, among others.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle, but can include
- Fatigue *yes
- Depression *
- Modest weight gain*
- Cold intolerance
- Excessive sleepiness*
- Dry, coarse hair
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Muscle cramps*
- Increased cholesterol levels*
- Decreased concentration*
- Vague aches and pains*
- Swelling of the legs*
I've also had some really really bad cramps in the legs - the last one on saturday night/sunday morning was so bad I couldnt straighten my leg for the day nor put any sort of pressure on it. It's taken about 36 hours to come good! I've had some leg cramps (only 1 other bad one like that) but given 1/2hr or so it sorts itself out.
I'm getting around the memory problem / concentration problem by utilising a diary & notebook - didnt realise it was also an issue until I saw the above list!
I thought it was me getting old!
The chronic fatigue & tiredness we put down to blood loss; but maybe not!
Interesting again...
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Blood Type O+
I'm glad to see I'm one of the most common blood types! see this info - http://www.giveblood.redcross.org.au/page.aspx?IDDataTreeMe...
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I'm glad to see I'm one of the most common blood types! see this info - http://www.giveblood.redcross.org.au/page.aspx?IDDataTreeMe...
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... from the HHT site http://www.hht.org/medical-scientific/ HereditaryHemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a multisystem vascular dysplasia ...
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I've done a little bit of googling on this equipment and it does seem to be a very recent innovation. see http://www.mlt-laser.de/html/h...
