The consultation began with a nurse taking a twenty-minute ultra
sound of my heart. At times I heard the
blood pumping through each of the four valves within my heart. Each one sounded different.
As has been so typical of our experiences this year with all
the different doctors I have seen and treatments I have had, Dr Raj was caring,
professional and very informative. The
ultrasound confirmed that the electricity moving down the nerves in my heart is
a bit slower than normal. Otherwise, the
heart is functioning normally. Raj asked
about my overall health situation and took lots of notes. He advised that he did not want to do any
testing such as an ECG conducted while I was exercising that might cause
discomfort or be too interventionist. He
asked me to contact him if I became concerned about my heart function.
We left feeling glad that there is no significant issue with my
heart. I felt very well looked after,
yet again.
This year besides seeing my GP (general practitioner doctor), I
have seen my regular oncologist, a new radiation oncologist, my colorectal
surgeon, a new urological surgeon and a new cardiologist. Three times I have had day surgery procedures
in hospital: two flexi sigmoidoscopies and one stent inserted. I have had radiation five days a week over
five weeks and now I am on my third cycle of intensive chemotherapy. All of these have occurred in the last six
months!
I hope that the rest of this year consists only of the chemo
for three days every two weeks and seeing my regular oncologist! I remain so grateful for the Australian
medical system that provides such good medical care at moderate or no
additional cost to our moderately priced private medical insurance. If you watch Last Cab to Darwin, you will see
this service depicted in action in Broken Hill and Darwin.
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