1. < Kidney & Bladder

How do you Understand Test Results & Prepare Questions for Doctor?

Posted by cindyc @cindysummit, May 12, 2023

I just received my MRI results. I have ChRCC and had cryoabaltion in November of 2022.

I have the blood results and MRI results but cannot fully understand the later. Where do you all go? My doctor appt is not until June 6 and I would like to understand what was seen. Also, I would like to know what questions to ask when I see the doctor.

Thanks,
Cindy

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pml | @pml | May 12, 2023

Hi Cindy c,
I just do a Google search for the term that is used in the results. It will give you an idea of what it's all about. However it is best to talk to your doctor to see how explicitly the results affect your particular condition. Can you send your doctor an email?
Best of luck,
PML

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 12, 2023

@cindysummit I agree with @pml, about speaking to your doctor. Your medical team will cobble the results all together and address your case specifically. Looking up terms you don't understand will give you definitions, however things need to be looked at in totality.

Take some time now to write down your questions and concerns. Over the next few weeks, write down any additional things to review. Call your doctor's office, and ask to be placed on a list to be called if they get a cancellation. That way you might get called in earlier. And try your best to not dwell on everything that "could" happen. This last one is really tough, I know, but it is for your best interest to not stress. Can you do this and let me know?
Ginger

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1 reply
cindyc | @cindysummit | May 14, 2023

Yes. I can do this. I just checked my patient portal. My apt. Is on June 6....for 15 minutes.

I will write my questions and have them ready.

No shortcuts here, I know.

Thank you.

Happy we are having a beautiful day in Jersey.

Cindy

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cindyc | @cindysummit | May 14, 2023
In reply to @pml "Hi Cindy c, I just do a Google search for the term that is used in..." + (show)
@pml

Hi Cindy c,
I just do a Google search for the term that is used in the results. It will give you an idea of what it's all about. However it is best to talk to your doctor to see how explicitly the results affect your particular condition. Can you send your doctor an email?
Best of luck,
PML

Jump to this post

Thanks. Good idea.

Working on questions.

Cindy

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paul55 | @paul55 | May 15, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@cindysummit I agree with @pml, about speaking to your doctor. Your medical team will cobble the..." + (show)
@gingerw

@cindysummit I agree with @pml, about speaking to your doctor. Your medical team will cobble the results all together and address your case specifically. Looking up terms you don't understand will give you definitions, however things need to be looked at in totality.

Take some time now to write down your questions and concerns. Over the next few weeks, write down any additional things to review. Call your doctor's office, and ask to be placed on a list to be called if they get a cancellation. That way you might get called in earlier. And try your best to not dwell on everything that "could" happen. This last one is really tough, I know, but it is for your best interest to not stress. Can you do this and let me know?
Ginger

Jump to this post

Regarding trying to get in earlier, I was advised by a doctor's scheduler to call on Monday in the later morning, when their cancellation for the week start coming in. That has worked for me a number of times to get in earlier. If there is nothing on Monday morning, try Tuesday morning, etc.

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1 reply
cindyc | @cindysummit | May 15, 2023
In reply to @paul55 "Regarding trying to get in earlier, I was advised by a doctor's scheduler to call on..." + (show)
@paul55

Regarding trying to get in earlier, I was advised by a doctor's scheduler to call on Monday in the later morning, when their cancellation for the week start coming in. That has worked for me a number of times to get in earlier. If there is nothing on Monday morning, try Tuesday morning, etc.

Jump to this post

Thank you.

Cindy

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collegeprof | @collegeprof | May 16, 2023

@cindysummit
The others gave great advice. I have also had cryoablation with annual MRIs for the first 5 years. If you are experiencing any pain, I would not wait until my June appt. but go to the nearest emergency hospital or cancer center for additional tests. Interventional radiologists are tough to see because there are so few for many of us who are seen for cancererous kidney masses.

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cindyc | @cindysummit | May 16, 2023

Thanks. Yes, lots of good advice here.

Good days and bad days, mostly good. I did see on the report that there are small bilateral cysts. Radiologist notes did not express concern here.

Thank you. Have a good day.

Cindy

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