What does your butt and blood have in common? Mostly cells but one can confirm something about the other I learned.
I recently had an MRI done of my pelvis and butt to determine what is causing pain when I walk/run. Although the pain has subsided greatly after some near lethal doses of Ibuprofen, my ortho doc, Chris Miles, wanted to move ahead with an MRI to confirm his suspicions. Since I'd already met my deductible for the year, thanks to unsuccessful attempts to fix the pain/problem with physical therapy and a visit to the WFBH Men's Health Center, I thought, what the heck's another $150 for an MRI if it can provide a more definitive diagnosis. Posthaste, I was scheduled to visit the WFBH Imaging Center.
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine is an extremely noisy doughnut-shaped tunnel into which the patient is inserted and bombarded by electromagnetic energy in in order to map the innards. Let me clarify what I mean by noisy. Imagine yourself at an AC/DC concert (no pun intended) without earplugs and standing right next to the amp for Angus' guitar while he plays Thunderstruck. The MRI machine has no musical benefit though, only the end result is the same - damaged hearing and tinnitus. I've had tinnitus for over 30 years but now it has redoubled its effort to drive me bat-shit crazy thanks to the techs at WFBH Imaging Center who didn't insert my ear plugs correctly.
So what the hell does all that have to do with my LGLL? When reading the radiologist's report from my MRI I noticed a statement that seemingly had nothing to do with the pain from walking or running. Under the conclusions section of the report the last bullet read: "Diffuse heterogeneous bone marrow signal can be due to to bone marrow reconversion or myeloproliferative disorder." With my Sherlock Holmes-like powers of deductive reasoning and my above average grasp of medical vocabulary, I immediately thought this may be something my hemo/onco doc, Leslie Ellis, needs to see. I sent her an email about the conclusion and she responded that this was common in patients with blood borne cancers. I am so glad Dr. Miles was spared having to deliver that piece of shitty news.
"Ummm, Mr. Turner, I have some bad news and some really bad news."
At my upcoming July 20 appointment with Dr. Ellis I will get the full story about the bone marrow issue. In the meantime, I sent the report to the LGLL Guru, Dr. Loughren, at UVa. I also told them of my upcoming visit with Dr. Ellis so they are going to send me a blood sample kit. Another 10 vial blood deficit is in my near future for the LGLL Registry.
About Me
- Wayne Turner
- I was born, raised and went to school in eastern NC. Too immature at 17 to comprehend the seriousness of university life, I dropped out after two years and joined the Air Force. I spent two years of my four year military career in Germany, which I enjoyed immensely. I completed my Bachelor's Degree at Guilford College in 1985. My first career was in the computer field where I did everything short of design one. I've spent the last 30 years in the environmental field working for local governments. In December 2017 I retired from full time work. My overdeveloped sense of fairness and justice lands me on the liberal side in my political views. I think government plays a large role in social responsibility in a civilized state. I believe in the innate compassion and goodness in everyone despite the daily news reports to the contrary. My genetic predisposition for generosity in nearly all things is sometimes a source of future angst. I've been a musician and still have a deep love of music. I am naturally curious about all things especially metaphysics and science.
