[Fresia]

Not sure what to do. I am a medical lab science student and with this last lab, we drew our own blood to use as an example to examine normal blood, along with additional examples provided of abnormal slides then to examine for more practice. However, mine didn't turn out normal. The instructor said that they are always concerned about medical students diagnosing themselves but in this case, she wanted me to contact my doctor immediately. This did not help my anxiety after seeing the slide.

What I don't understand is that I just had lab work done a few weeks ago and this was either not seen, not checked, missed, or not there then perhaps, not sure which. I wondered before making an appointment if I should get this last lab report to look and see what it said and then decide or just go ahead and make an appointment. I am scheduled to go in to see the new doc the middle of December (mine just moved last month leaving the practice.) It is just a month away, perhaps wait until then. This is not how I wanted to start off with a new doctor.

I would think they would redraw but I am tired of the doc's and now actually scared as meanwhile. Despite purposely not trying to diagnose further, I already know what those cell shapes and characteristics mean; I am freaking out.

Perhaps getting the lab report is a stall tactic on my part to not face the inevitable and should not wait until Dec. I really should make an appointment to do something about this whether want to or not. I sure wish I could bury my head in the sand. I SO don't want to face what this means.

What would you do, get the last lab report and: go in now or wait until December?

Thank you for letting me reason this out and for listening; I hope this finds you well!

[Leed]

Personally, if they said to see your doc immediately I would do just that. Just because your last lab report was fine doesn't mean a darn thing. Labs can change in a heartbeat, believe me.

So get in IMMEDIATELY and tell them that your instructor looked at your labs, and said to come in STAT. Make sure they look CLOSELY at your labs -- don't have them do it in the office -- perhaps you should have it done at the hospital. But DO IT. And do it SOON. God bless - and will you PLEASE let me (US) KNOW what the results are??? I REALLY want to know cause I care about you!! God bless and prayers are with you my new friend. Take care. Hugs, Lee

[ECHOES]

I would go now to relieve the stress of dealing with the unknown.

Best wishes to you!!

[Trippin2.0]

Fresia, the sooner the better my friend. It will minimize the time you spend waiting anxiously... Will keep you in prayer, and please, please do keep us posted

[Fresia]

Y'all are right, the anxiety of waiting will be worse than just biting the bullet, getting in, getting retested, and having to go through whatever else testing will be necessary. That is what I am dreading and hands are shaking as I type this. I promise to call Monday though, at the latest Tuesday in case they are closed for the holiday to get in sooner than later. Of course it is a holiday.

Thank you so much for the support; it means the world to me!

[Trippin2.0]

Thinking of you

[jadzea]

Can you get copies of the results you got in class and FAX them to your doctor? That way he/she can see them and compare them to your earlier test results. If there is something critical going on he may see you earlier or at least call you and order retests.

I know you are worried but I have had several false alarms with blood tests. Have them redrawn and go from there.

Good luck.

[Fresia]

That is a good idea; the instructor gave me a copy to take to the doc along with the slide. I see the doc this morning. Bundle of nerves for this discussion but necessary. I will not be surprised if orders more test(s) especially to confirm or rule out whatever, and hopefully r/o will be the case that it is all a big mistake or error somehow. I will let you know how it goes.

[Trippin2.0]

Yes, please keep us posted... Thinking of you Fresia

[Fresia]

Met with doc this morning. There is new research that shows that the pneumonia I have been fighting off the last couple weeks might be influencing things but admitted it doesn't explain everything. Based on just having lab work, he wants me to wait two more weeks to get the infection cleared out my system; good news was that my lungs are finally showing clear but need to be rid of the rest of the symptoms to retest. Then retest with some additional tests as well. He gave me the lab slip for then. The other side of it, without my saying anything, is that he is concerned though that the pneumonia could be symptomatic of a compromised immune system, being not the cause but a result of something else which is my fear.

So, right now, I am hoping for it being the infection, and taking things one thing at a time. I appreciate this common sense approach which calmed my anxiety. Now to wait two weeks will be fun but understandable. Nothing to do now but wait and focus on getting better. So we'll see.

Thank you so much for the support!

[Trippin2.0]

Thanks for letting us know,I hope it only an infection and that the doc gives you the 'all clear'. Please dont feel that you only need to update us in 2 weeks, I'll be checking this thread regularly to see how you're doing during this waiting period. Please do take care of yourself, and take this time to recuperate, will be thinking of you

[unaluna]

you might surprise yourself by how you react once you find out. i've had some close calls health-wise, and it's pretty amazing how i've taken things. you might be stronger than you realize, even if you whine a lot most of the time like I do! but when something REALLY happens, you can handle it, because you have to

[googley]

((((((((((Fresia)))))))))))))))
I'm glad you went in and saw your doctor. That took a lot of courage. Hopefully the next set of tests will turn out fine. We are here to support you no matter what.

[Umbral_Seraph]

Hopefully it's only a minor infection.