Sue was scheduled for a cisternogram last Monday, August 12. We got to the radiology department at Barnes-Jewish hospital at 8:30 am. She had the beginning scan, then a physician explained the test would not be sensitive enough. She would need another kind of cisternogram that involved radioactive isotopes that have to be made up the morning of the test. So the department secretary rescheduled the thing for today.
Sue and I got to the hospital, again at 8:30 am. [They now know us in the parking garage.] They did a lumbar puncture to inject the radioactive isotope into her spinal/brain fluid then did the first scan and told us to come back for a subsequent scan at 1:00 pm. Having had nothing to eat or drink, Sue had a hearty brunch. Her primary neurologist's secretary called around noon, all apologies, to give us new information: Sue would need frequent scans over three days. [Suffice to say, Barnes had a significant failure in communicating.] The best bet would be to have her admitted to the hospital, but Sue's choice. So, back to Barnes downtown for the 1:00 scan followed by admission to the hospital until Wednesday, Sue's choice over multiple trips to Barnes.
The cisternogram is a test to check out fluid pressure in the brain. The suspicion is that Sue's recent difficulties with balance and walking are caused by some fluid imbalance. We still believe the sudden withdrawal of the trial med, which even the pharmaceutical company making the stuff warns not to do, caused this whole ordeal. Sue, and we, have had a tough summer. Thank God for Linda, Goldman, Maddog, and Joan. With their help Sue was able to salvage some really fine days at the lake and is hoping for more into the Fall and early winter.
Sue and I got to the hospital, again at 8:30 am. [They now know us in the parking garage.] They did a lumbar puncture to inject the radioactive isotope into her spinal/brain fluid then did the first scan and told us to come back for a subsequent scan at 1:00 pm. Having had nothing to eat or drink, Sue had a hearty brunch. Her primary neurologist's secretary called around noon, all apologies, to give us new information: Sue would need frequent scans over three days. [Suffice to say, Barnes had a significant failure in communicating.] The best bet would be to have her admitted to the hospital, but Sue's choice. So, back to Barnes downtown for the 1:00 scan followed by admission to the hospital until Wednesday, Sue's choice over multiple trips to Barnes.
The cisternogram is a test to check out fluid pressure in the brain. The suspicion is that Sue's recent difficulties with balance and walking are caused by some fluid imbalance. We still believe the sudden withdrawal of the trial med, which even the pharmaceutical company making the stuff warns not to do, caused this whole ordeal. Sue, and we, have had a tough summer. Thank God for Linda, Goldman, Maddog, and Joan. With their help Sue was able to salvage some really fine days at the lake and is hoping for more into the Fall and early winter.
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