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Should I mention about a possible medical issue or not

Posted: Dec 27, 2009

Some time back I mentioned to my DIL that her father should get his heart checked out. I noticed he had creases in his earlobes. The reason I mentioned is was for the fact I had a cardiologist who says this over and over in dictations, then when studying further found it could mean heart problems. Well, you would have thought I had tried to kill someone, everyone sprang into action stating there was nothing wrong with him at all. Fast forward a few years, DIL's father just recovering from quadruple bypass surgery. Another issue now. I have just seen on facebook pictures from DIL's home. DIL's small niece, possibly about 5, eye is almost entirely white. This is not a good sign and could mean retinoblastoma. This malignancy sometimes shows up in small children this way, not the red eye but a white eye in a picture. Should I mention this to DIL, should I not?

;

If they were not open to your suggestions the first...... - Amy

[ In Reply To ..]
time around, I would say NO, if the child needs medical attention, hopefully she will get it. I have to be honest, even though I am an MT, I would only take it with a grain of salt if an MT told me they thought I may have a medical condition because of something they "typed". I would probably tell them to stick to typing.

On the other hand.........I am also a nurse and I ALWAYS have family members calling me up about this medical question or that one and I actually can't stand it. I would prefer them to just see a doctor. I mean I do most of the time give my opinion, but ALWAYS back it up with........"but, if you are concenred about it, you should probably see someone". But anyways.....just my opinion, I would keep it quiet.

I should have mentioned, not actually just what I typed - Pictures

[ In Reply To ..]
My grandmother years ago had congestive heart failure and died from that. Her cardiologist mentioned the ear creases and that was some time before my getting into MT work so had heard it prior to the transcribing. I also did not type about children's eyes showing white in pictures but had heard of that. I am sure most have not even heard of that but it is a warning sign to have a child checked out. I am glad to be able to pickup some knowledge here. My husband just recently diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus. Now instead of a wait and see stance, I know, yes from transcribing, this can be a prelude to esophageal cancer and rather than wait and see he will have that laser ablated soon and his wife is the one who set up the appointment. If it turned into cancer, lets see what options do we have? As a nurse, I am sure you know.

illness - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
My father died almost 14 years ago. For a full year he tried to tell the doctors something was wrong with him. He lost considerable weight and just didn't feel right. His follow-up colonoscopy came out perfect though after he had resection years before for cancer. FINALLY. They found the cancer, but not until it hit the pancreatic head and then he lived three months. After the funeral, my nurse SIL (one of 3 SIL that are nurses), and my niece said we knew he had cancer. People with cancer just SMELL. I could have smacked her across the face. SHE DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY?? I don't think we as MTs should be running around thinking we know everything, because people (especially SIL nurses), but perhaps a "wow that doesn't look right at all, have you been to the doctor with that?" "If that were my child, I'd be in to see the doctor." Some people just don't get it. Amazingly enough, maybe no one has said anything to them about it so they don't think there is anything wrong. Say SOMETHING.

illness - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
I meant "because people (especially SIL nurses) don't appreciate the fact that we know anything at all. After all they are the ones with the degrees.

Gosh, I guess when you do this type of work - Pictures

[ In Reply To ..]
for as many years as I have you do hear and I remember things such as what you are talking about, the smell of cancer. Let me ask you this, would you have rather them tell you (or did I miss this somewhere in your answer?) I know when I mentioned something 1 time to an elderly family member about a certain product being "good" for you, that person did tell me sometimes a little bit of knowledge is "dangerous." Personally I do not feel like that and would love anyone to tell me regarding an issue. I listen and then do my research.

What if? (sm) - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
What if it is retinoblastoma? I think I would rather be known as a 'know-it-all' than someone who didn't care enough to possibly make a fool of themselves. If it were your child, wouldn't you want someone to say something? Yes, you are "just" a transcriptionist, but daggone it, we do learn things doing this job.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

illness - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
It wasn't until after my dad died that i found out his doctor was not doing the regular blood work, chest xrays, etc. in order to monitor any spread of his colon cancer. Yes, I wished they would have said something. My dad thought he was going crazy. He told me once I keep trying to tell them something is not right, but they don't believe me. You see, the cancer was on the OUTSIDE of the colon, which is why his colonoscopy had come back negative. However the normal blood work and xrays would have shown something outside the colon. By the time he did do the blood work his cancer antigens were sky high. No one at the doctor's office (including the doctor) could tell us why these cancer markers were not done. It was a screw-up plain and simple. Had they said something, I believe my dad would have pushed the issue as the rest of the family also. I had no idea cancer smells. Yes, yes, yes, yes yes, I wish they would have said something.

TELL, TELL, TELL - Tricia

[ In Reply To ..]
So what if they get mad....at least that precious child may be saved ... and so what if you are wrong ... at least you cared enough to mention it ... i would want someone to tell me ... forward a picture and/or an article about it to them ... i just saw something like this a couple of weeks ago but for the life of me i can't remember where...JMO

Well, I decided what to do and I called the aunt - Pictures

[ In Reply To ..]
who is my DIL this morning and told her, this is what I saw, this is what I have read, heard, typed whatever. Google yourself and take from there. If you want this information, fine, if not out of my court and you can pass on or not and take from there. DIL said she had saw but other pictures there did not turn out that same way, musta have been the camera. Well, did what I thought I should and now up to them. Could be the camera, I could be wrong, or could not be; anyway did relay to them.

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