| |
Sebastian says:
“Amy provided vital support during a time of real worry for me and my wife.”
|
Accidental Discovery of Bone Mass Is Frightening, but Heed Helps Relieve Fear and Anxiety
Upon first meeting Sebastian, it was impossible to discern any illness. This 82-year old man looked years younger than his true age, maintained a full life that included daily walks, a small computer-consulting business, and a love of foreign films.
During a CT scan to discover the cause of blood in his urine (a condition known as hematuria) Sebastian’s doctors made an “accidental discovery” of a mass in his right hip and thigh bone, impossible to see without sophisticated imaging, and causing him no pain.
Sebastian came to Heed for support around the confusing steps toward diagnosis as outlined by his urologist and later his gerontologist.
Heed Services
Heed attended four appointments with Sebastian and his wife. Included were visits to an orthopedic surgeon, a radiologist specializing in bone diseases, a gerontologist and an endocrinologist who specializes in diseases of the bone.
Heed also spent a full day in a surgical suite at a local hospital providing support to Sebastian and his wife. Though the orthopedic surgeon recommended a bone biopsy in order to rule out bone cancer, the radiologist disagreed based on his belief that chances of success would actually be very slim and that the chances of retrieving enough tissue to biopsy were less than 25%.
Helping Sebastian and his wife weigh the outlined risks and benefits of the procedure, which they ultimately consented to, and waiting with his wife during this worrisome time, the advocate provided empathic listening, “translated” medical language into lay person’s language, and helped this couple ask all their questions and get the answers they needed for a fully informed choice.
Resolution
Ultimately, while looking at the area of the biopsy with a CT scanner, the radiologist came to the conclusion that biopsy was not advised because he could see clearly what the logical diagnosis was. Heed provided the doctor with CDs containing the film from previous scans (CT, MRI and X-ray) and with this information he confirmed a diagnosis of Padgett’s Disease a slow-progressing disease of the bone that will likely cause Sebastian no discomfort during his lifetime.
Still without pain or any limitations in his mobility, Sebastian continues his normal life.
Read Lucy's Story >
