We went to the ENT at Tripler today. It was Art's appointment this time. Lately, it feels like we're there every week! There was the colonoscopy, blood tests, follow-up visits, Art's physical, etc.
Art has switched from using his Medicare and Tri-Care to get his own doctors to going to Tripler Army Medical Hospital. It was just too stressful to try to find doctors who would accept Tri-Care (military)- Medicare payments. Now Art goes to see Kathy who is my nurse practitioner.
She immediately put him back on the blood pressure pills that Art's outside doctor said he didn't need to take. She was unhappy that the outside doctor never looked at the stress tests that Art took at Tripler before we moved to Hawaii. And to think Art has run TWO marathons under such risks. Sheesh!
Art has been complaining of a runny nose and coughing that he's been annoyed with ever since we returned from Chicago last fall. Kathy made him go to the ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) doctor.
That's the nice thing about Tripler. Whenever we need any sort of test, we can get right in. Kathy makes sure we are all on top of things.
Dr. Healy, our ENT doctor was wonderful. He was very impressed with the super minimal scarring on my neck from my thyroid surgery. Dr. Anthony Bentley was my amazing surgeon at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois! He's now in private practice. I wish he were in Hawaii. Oops... I digress.
Anyway, the doctor sprayed Art with Afrin and Lidocaine and stuck a digital scope down his nose. I got to see all the way down to his glottis. I'm happy to say his throat looked fine. The doctor agreed with me. Juuust kidding. The doctor said Art did look fine and he couldn't figure out what was causing the problem.
Soooo... we're taking a stab at curing it with a nasal spray and Omeprazoel which is for GERD, just in case that's what it is.
After all that, we stopped at Bravo Restaurant for lunch.
I had the clam linguine and garden salad. Art had lasagne. The little buns were drenched in oil, salt and I don't know what else. I was starving. I'm sure it wasn't good for me.
It was a happy way to end another day at the hospital.
POSTSCRIPT: I am working on the story of Jon's birth in the elevator at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital for tomorrow's post. I apologize in advance because it will have to be a bit long.
Art has switched from using his Medicare and Tri-Care to get his own doctors to going to Tripler Army Medical Hospital. It was just too stressful to try to find doctors who would accept Tri-Care (military)- Medicare payments. Now Art goes to see Kathy who is my nurse practitioner.
She immediately put him back on the blood pressure pills that Art's outside doctor said he didn't need to take. She was unhappy that the outside doctor never looked at the stress tests that Art took at Tripler before we moved to Hawaii. And to think Art has run TWO marathons under such risks. Sheesh!
That's the nice thing about Tripler. Whenever we need any sort of test, we can get right in. Kathy makes sure we are all on top of things.
Dr. Healy, our ENT doctor was wonderful. He was very impressed with the super minimal scarring on my neck from my thyroid surgery. Dr. Anthony Bentley was my amazing surgeon at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois! He's now in private practice. I wish he were in Hawaii. Oops... I digress.
Anyway, the doctor sprayed Art with Afrin and Lidocaine and stuck a digital scope down his nose. I got to see all the way down to his glottis. I'm happy to say his throat looked fine. The doctor agreed with me. Juuust kidding. The doctor said Art did look fine and he couldn't figure out what was causing the problem.
Soooo... we're taking a stab at curing it with a nasal spray and Omeprazoel which is for GERD, just in case that's what it is.
After all that, we stopped at Bravo Restaurant for lunch.
I had the clam linguine and garden salad. Art had lasagne. The little buns were drenched in oil, salt and I don't know what else. I was starving. I'm sure it wasn't good for me.
It was a happy way to end another day at the hospital.
POSTSCRIPT: I am working on the story of Jon's birth in the elevator at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital for tomorrow's post. I apologize in advance because it will have to be a bit long.
Aloha Kay -- Sooo glad you're getting good care at Tripler. I think a lot of it is that your NP is great, and also efficient at getting you through the system. Surely Art hasn't developed an allergy to Hawaii. I'd hate for you to send him back to Chicago! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteSounds like allergies to me, trust me, I'm not a doctor, just someone who has had them for years...
ReplyDeleteAnd that food looks fantastic, how in the world do you stay so slim!! :-)
The expression on his face makes me giggle. He doesn't look too thrilled to have his picture taken. Doctors are great when we need them, but I tend to try to avoid them. I would always rather be doing anything but going to a doctor's office.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Art putting on a "mad" face.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're getting good care.
It's important to have trust in your medical care. It sounds like you have it there with Kathy.
ReplyDeleteDavid and I were shocked when Art told us at Longhi's that he did not take any meds. Wow, we thought he is superman!!! Well, I am glad his NP put him back on BP meds, because it would be awful he had a stroke. David takes BP meds, too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Art has an allergy. David takes Allegra-D-12 for his runny nose. He has to sign for it at the pharmacy in order to get the one that is stronger than the one on the shelf. He said Allegra-D-12 is better than Sudafed and Benztropine. But he needs the one that he has to sign for at the pharmacy without a prescription. Tell Art to check it out.
You are very fortunate to have options. I also had to laugh at Art's face, and Im so glad to hear he's going to take medications for BP, it's necessary to get it under control.
ReplyDeletegood that Art has found good care! The lunch looks good, maybe it was garlic bread?
ReplyDeletegreat to receive good reports from the doctors...
ReplyDeleteMost interesting that you found the best care at a government-operated facility.
ReplyDeleteHad we adopted "single payer" care rather than the hodgepodge of insurance-controlled care that is going into effect, all Americans could be enjoying the benefits of medical attention when they need it.
Mad face or not, Kay, you have a very handsome husband. Good looks definitely run in your family!!
ReplyDeleteKeep my posts short lol
L. from W.
L. from W.: I LOVE long comments! Don't you dare shorten your comments. :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like Art has allergies. I have allergies and take Nasonex and Allegra everyday. It helps tremendously! Allegra is over the counter now, but Art should check with the Dr. about taking it.
ReplyDeleteCan't comment on your level of care at Crippler ...er, Tripler. I've heard worse.
ReplyDeleteMy kids, Grace and I (everyone) have had a bit of roughness in our throats as well these past few weeks. We think it is due to the vog that has come in with the kona winds and was particularly bothersome early this week. You may want to keep an eye on that and see if Art's symptoms also coincide with air quality. I've never been bothered by the vog before but these past few times I noticed my throat got scratchy, almost like the first part of a cold coming on; but never got worse, only lingered on until the vog cleared up with the return of the tradewinds. Aja seems to be hit harder by it though, she ends up with coughing spates, poor thing. I don't have any easy answer to a solution for it, though, as I don't want to dope up the kids for it and refuse to strap on respirators to them.
aloha,
walt
they put my hubby on omeprazole too, same reason,, how long does Art have to take it? If you don't mind me asking,, that is,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely lunch, wow,
Just read your other post... I cut my own hair too!!! That's why the back is always crooked. But, you can't tell after you've had a couple beers.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the lemons! They are SOOOOOOOO gooooood!
aloha,
walt
Was Art really frowning?
ReplyDeleteThe meal looks delicious.
You take such nice photographs.
Laurie: He has to take it for three months and see if it does anything. If it does, the doctor wants him to stay on it for an additional 3 months just for good measure before he stops.
ReplyDeleteAbe: No, he wasn't really mad or anything. Dina knows him and has figured out he was fooling around and making a pretend aggravation face.
And thank you for the compliment. Coming from you, it's especially meaningful.
Walt: It's not vog because he's had it for the past three months continuously even when there's trade winds. I'm noticing my eyes are scratchy lately. I'm thinking it must be vog too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like lemon season is coming to a close for a little while. We're getting down to the last hurrah now.
It's scary when you find out something should have been done and hasn't been..I hope Art adjusts easily to the meds..
ReplyDeleteDid the doctor tell you how GERD causes coughing, sneezing, sore throat, sore eyes, sore ears, runny nose and headaches? I ask because I take omeprazole for it, and it works. But I can't eat lasagna, or anything else with red sauce, or onions, or anything spicy or acidic, unless I take an omeprazole with the first mouthful. Mostly, I'm on a bland diet.
ReplyDeleteRight now I have a cold. Caught it from Dick.
Sure hope Art finds out what it is. For years, I was told I had allergies, but it turned out to be GERD.
Good luck to both of you.
K
Kay: I'm so sorry you have to be so careful. Art's sister has GERD so we do know about the effects. We're hoping that's not what he has.
ReplyDeleteYes, I liked getting treated at the VA Hospital here, but I didn't like their disbelief when I reacted badly to drugs. I finally found a doc I like not military, and that will have to do.
ReplyDeleteIt will be good to have all the doctor stuff back in control and over with.
I'm glad you are both receiving such good care. I think a lot of that has to do with how you operate in the system. You are knowledgeable and very gracious people, the kind medical personal are happy to serve.
ReplyDeleteFeel better, Art!
ReplyDelete