CBC would need to be repeated

Monday I went to my primary care physician for my semi-annual blood work, CBC, lipids and a check on my calcium and D levels (3 tubes).

This morning (Wednesday), I received a call from his nurse saying my cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium etc. were good.

Then she said the CBC would need to be repeated. I pressed her a bit and she said the bottom of the tube might be a little coagulated. Then she says she will check it again and call me back.

Panic struck and to the bathroom I went. Within about five minutes, she called back and said 'no luck'. I asked if I needed to fast for the test and she said yes and told me the office days and hours. I had already had breakfast so I have to wait until tomorrow for the blood work.

I'm a bit frazzled and my GERD has really flared up!

I had an appointment scheduled with my vet for my little 10 year old dog. After an extensive exam and xrays, the diagnosis is an enlarged heart. I was very upset. I had another little dog, same age, same breed with an enlarged heart and within a year I had to have her euthanized. This is a repeat of a heartbreaking expereince.

At my age, I know medical issue will come up and I'm not the least bit afraid of dying...it's the journey I fear I'll have to travel. I think it's my being so alone that causes my mental issues.

Thank you for reading this. I don't want to add to your anxiety but I needed to tell someone.

God bless,
Cme

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 8/17/2011 3:01:23 PM (GMT-6)

Hi cme, I am sorry that you have to repeat your blood test...it's hard enough the first time! It sounds as if the results they were able to get were fine though...so that is a good thing:)

I am also sorry to hear about your dog, maybe this time will be different, and she will live longer w/out complications. Pets are blessings, but when they get sick it is hard...I am home-treating one of our cats w/ an abscess...not fun for either of us!

Try to have faith that everything with your test will be just fine. Take care of yourself and do your relaxation exercises, and hopefully your GI sx will improve as well.

Let us know how you are doing soon
S.C.

Thank you both for your support.

I'm a phobic person and the first thing I think about is cancer!

My doctor has his own lab and everything is done in one visit, the office visit/exam and lab work. Then usually I get a call the same day with lab results. I thought it strange that I wasn't called that same day or the day after.

I try to tell myself that if it was serious, the lab would have flagged the results and I'd have been called the same day or at least the day after instead of today. And, it was like I could pick the day I wanted to repeat the bloodwork. Anything to try and talk myself out of the mounting anxiety. I took my 'scared poopless,' med, xanax.

I also find it strange that I'd have to fast for a CBC. I know I have to for the lipids but never before told to fast for a CBC.

I will do everything in my power to help my little pal. She means everything to me. She's my constant companion. I love her dearly.

God bless,
Cme

Thank you Full Moon.

In 15 minutes I'm leaving to go for the repeat test and your letter helped make me feel more relaxed. I will ask if my first CBC was "No good." I couldn't think of what to ask when she called.

I'm going to ask why I had to fast. In all my years, I've never fasted for any test other than a lipids test.

Say a prayer for me please.

Thank you very much.

God bless,
Cme

Cme, the fasting is probably just to test your BGL (blood glucose levels)...totally normal procedure for anybody. Try not to worry, and let us know how it goes:)
S.C.

Kitt, I just looked at your bio. I see you have a lot of medical experience and I found something regarding serum ferritin level and it said that a CBC would be used to check it. I asked my doctor to check my B12 the day I was at his office for my labs. Could seeing an out of normal range ferritin level be cause for a recheck?

I don't want to take advantage of your expertise but my anxiety is overriding my good sense! I'm trying to look for things besides the Big C! Thank you so very much.

God bless,
Cme

The Lord is merciful.

I told Him that I needed to take care of his little creature, my little dog. I pray every day I'll be able to care for her as long as she lives. Especially now that she's been diagnosed with an enlarged heart.

She had been a backyard breeder's dog and never had a iota of medical care, love, enough to eat and was headed for euthanasia. She had been dumped at Animal Control and had lived her whole life in a cage, whelping out puppies every six months for someone who shouldn't be allowed to have a roach, much less dogs. She was dumped when she was too sick to have live litters.

To make a very long (over 40 years) story short, most of my life has been in dog rescue.

Eighteen months ago, I was at Animal Control picking up 2 labs for a Lab rescue group when I saw this poor baby. I told the kennel manager I would be taking her too. I brought her immediately to my vet where she was cleaned up and vetted.

We had estimated her to be around 12 years old but later found out who the x@*&%cx@# breeder was and I was able to get her an age on her, 8 1/2 yrs old.

She wasn't able to see due to untreated KCS (dry eye), (scar tissue had covered both eyes), was incontinent, had intestinal parasites, greasy-flaking, filthy sparse coat, itching so badly!, both ears so infected the vet said it was a chronic infection and she had to be in terrific pain for a long time, colitis, she had fleas inside her nostrils and even in her eyelids. Everything imaginable was wrong with her.

She doubled her weight since I've had her and eats the best prescription dog food made...and all she wants! Her coat is beautiful, shiny and so thick I have to clip it! She can also see now due to medication and daily eye (medicated) ointment and lubricant.

I had been without a lapper for four years. That was the first time in 40 years. I figured I didn't want something to happen to me and here I'd have to leave a little one behind. But she's an old gal like me and she's become everything to me. Now especially with her heart condition, I must be able to care for her the rest of her life so I must remain in good health for her.

I was praying and asking Him to let me be okay so I could care for her. The phone rang and it was my doctor's number on the ID. It frightened me at first as they only call after office hours unless it's bad news. The nurse immediately said, "Good news!, your tests are fine!"

Thank the Good Lord and you wonderful people who helped me get through this scare. I never knew I'd find the best support system in the world right here in this 'box.' I know you're real flesh and blood people and I love you all. God bless you!

Cme