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What Can I Expect From The Hematologist?

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Apr 12, 2022 | Replies (6)
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@skizzard

Thank you so much Ginger! Sorry I took so long to reply - I wanted to wait until my appointment before I asked any more questions. Unfortunately my doctor sort of rushed me out the door and didn't really bother to look at the list of symptoms I had, but he did order a whole bunch of tests. I have a short list of them but there's lots of abbreviations and it's very technical and I can't quite decode it. Is there anywhere I can post or call or otherwise contact to find out what they are? They took 14 vials of blood and there seems to be about 8 tests. He mentioned testing for CML, lupus, autoimmune disorder, mono, and some other stuff I don't remember, but he didn't tell me what they were or how they worked, which I'd really like to know. He said some could take up to 4 weeks. I'd really like to know what tests typically take how long to be done so I'm not caught off guard by a phone call if they do find something.

I really appreciate your help, thank you so much!

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Replies to "Thank you so much Ginger! Sorry I took so long to reply - I wanted to..."
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Apr 12, 2022

Hi @skizzard I’m happy to look at your blood test list If you’d like. You can post them here, just don’t include any personal information. Or you can send me a private message if you’d rather.
I know this is a very trying time, waiting for results and not even knowing what most of them are for. I’ve had a lot of experience with bloodwork over the past couple of years would love to help out if I can.
You mentioned a possible phone call, but do you have another appointment to go over results with your doctor?

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 12, 2022

@skizzard I echo what Laurie @roch said in her comment. She is absolutely correct! I have to admit I would be like that, too. Wanting to have all the test names and such. Fourteen vials of blood! Did you get orange juice and cookies afterwards?!

Most of the time I have my blood work pulled by a commercial lab. Their protocol is that they will not release the lab results to you until your doctor has reviewed them. My former nephrologist wouldn't review until the last minute, so I never knew what I was walking in to at an appointment. My current nephrologist reviews the results right away, so I get a quick report back to me. And remember, there being many different tests, your doctor will be combining results and looking at patterns. That is what they are trained for.
Ginger

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