In medical school, doctors are taught "when hearing hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." Carcinoid has been thought of as 'rare' and therefore may be considered a zebra.
Fortunately, Shawn's doctors stopped thinking horses and started to think about zebras. Uncommon does not equal impossible.
We were hoping the zebra was mild-mannered and easily tamed. Unfortunately, some zebras turn out to have a bad attitude and like to spit. Shawn's doc seems pretty convinced that carcinoid endocrine tumors are the culprit. Unlike pheochromocytoma or other adrenal tumors, carcinoids ('Noids') got 'tude. They like to multiply, visit new places, and come back after being evicted.
I am not normally one to look for silver linings in black clouds. However, in addition to many loving family members and friends, Shawn is blessed in three ways. First, we found a doctor that did some serious digging. Shawn's clinical picture has been complicated and a definite challenge. Second, we got to the bottom of this before Shawn's symptoms became life-threatening. Given that Shawn went from borderline hypertension in July to dangerous blood pressure spikes by January, we are fortunate the doc was monitoring the symptoms closely and took immediate action. Third, Shawn has good insurance. Without insurance, there is no way this would have been found until it was too late. It is sobering to think of the 47 million people in our country without insurance.
If the doc is right and the zebra turns out to be carcinoid tumors, here is a link for ways you can "show your stripes."
Peace and love to all.
No comments:
Post a Comment