More Confusion
Our visit with Dr. Aferzon didn’t clear anything up, it just added to our confusion.
We walked in with all the CT scans and was hoping to hear something positive. First we met with Bob, (PA-Patient Assistant). He was the one that was called to review the first scan Ed had, and told him he was ok to go home, and to make an appointment with them in 5 days. He kept repeating that after he saw Ed, he was out of it – and didn’t know what was going on between the doctors. Sort of wiping his hands of what happened.
Then in came Dr. Aferzon. He never made eye contact with either of us, never shook Ed’s hand, or made us feel comfortable. He put a little silver object on the examining table near him (which I thought was either a cell phone or pager). We both agreed that he was very nervous, and at times would chuckle after a comment. He did agree there wasn’t a good decision in this whole thing. He said there is residual blood and that he should have an CT scan in a month. If the blood remains, then he should consider not being on the blood thinner.
Dr. Aferzon explained that, with age, the brain shrinks and the chances of bleeding is more common. There are several risk factors and one is being on blood thinner. He said with his age and the problems he has, he is at great risk no matter what way he turns.
I pointed to Ed and asked, ‘if you were this man, with all of his problems, what would you do?’ He said he would have a scan in 1 month, if it’s clear, then stay on the blood thinner – if it isn’t, then the heart surgery would be the only way to go. He actually felt the better choice would be the heart surgery. When he was done, he picked up the silver object and started to dictate his findings. It then registered with me, that he was probably recording everything that was said.
The only thing we can hope for is that the levels of the blood thinner can be adjusted to keep him safe in his brain and in his heart.
He is sleeping right now on the sofa…. he is emotionally worn out. It makes me angry to watch him have to go through all of this. This never should have happened, and no one wants to take responsiblity for it.
