I do have an appt. for the opthamologist, and it took a month to get in - so May 16th I think is when I go. The problem is that my GP doesn't believe there's a problem. Even after we went back and talked to him and told him, practically begged him, to call Dr. Ludlam, he wouldn't call. Because a neurologist way back in 2000/2001 said the lesion on the MRI was incidental, every doctor thereafter has followed suit. So I can threaten lawsuit, but it's a military installation, and the hospital commander has given legal orders to the doctors (who are also military) not to give out of region referrals. And he doesn't believe I need a specialist for pituitary disease. Of course he hasn't ever tested me.... He did at least draw some blood tests, but from what I've read, the tests he did won't tell him much of anything. I don't know what size the tumor is, all the reports have ever said was 'intrasellar cisternal herniation' and 'probable pituitary fossa cyst'. When my doc ordered the MRI this last month, he didn't even order it with contrast, then had the nerve to ask me "Why didn't this MRI show the herniation or cyst that the previous ones showed". DOH. If us circumventing the system to get this appt doesn't work out, then we will try another way, and if all that fails, I have some very close friends that are well connected with some DC advocate lawyers and I'm involved in some research going on at Harvard and they have all volunteered their various services, including an independant neurology consult to get me the referral. I felt very much like I had hit the end of the road with things, then several friends came through and I now know that there is very much hope left, and possibly even some connections in Washington to make damn sure future generations of pituitary sufferers don't have to suffer anymore. I think I may actual consider returning to the medical career field and changing course to go back to school to be a Doctor who specializes in patients who can't get their doctors to listen to them! Cathy |
