should we go to ER ?

[ER_Hopeful]

Went to the doctor with wife on Mon, (her doc is actually a female nurse practitioner that works with my doc who is much more experienced.) They got the ultrasound results and it shows my wife has a 3cm by 3cm mass in the pancreas head, will be getting a CT scan early next week (this is the soonest appointment unless there's a cancellation ), trying to get a biopsy, too.


Wife is having ascites (big belly with fluids, started about 2 1/2 weeks ago), at first we thought it was just gas but ultrasound shows it's fluid. weight loss of about 7 lbs, occasional shortness of breath but no abdominal pain. Got prescription for the ascites on Mon but not helping much.



Started learning about pancreatic cancer these couple days, most sites say ascites from this illness is late stage cancer, too scared to read more about it. I'm still in total shock.


question, can/should we go to the ER now? I think we might get all CT scan, biopsy done right away instead of waiting and watching her condition get worse potentially?



below is the ultrasound finding and a pic which a good representation of her ascites.


I know this is the Internet but we have nowhere to turn to. Thanks in advance.

 

[Aerides]

I don't know that the ER is the right place, but I'd definitely call every local Oncologist and try to get in with one ASAP. Good luck to you both.

 

[ER_Hopeful]

I don't know that the ER is the right place, but I'd definitely call every local Oncologist and try to get in with one ASAP. Good luck to you both.

we got referral to an oncologist but they wont see us until we have a biopsy done. hospital wont schedule a biopsy until they have the images. Daughter will be getting them the images this morning from the ultrasound place.


we have anthem ppo, btw.

 

[old medic]

In my opinion going to the ER won't speed up anything. You may get a CT, but then you will get referred, and you already got that.
Passing along best wishes to you both.

 

[Montecfo]

It sounds like you are on the right track. I would see when biopsy could be scheduled which hopefully you will know shortly.

Sounds like you have good insurance which is excellent.

Right now I think you just want to stay positive. Find positive things to distract yourselves. Further worry accomplishes nothing. You have taken the right steps.

Please keep us posted.

 

[FlaGator]

You're on the right track. Keep on eye on the shortness of breath. In my late wife's case, it was persistent (not occasional) and soon showed to be an indicator of clots in the lungs.

My best wishes to your wife and you.

 

[Koolau]

Also, don't try to think too far ahead or imagine the worst (I know - hard to do.) Let it all play out - yet pushing as hard as you can to get results. Be an advocate and don't be embarrassed to ask questions or to PUSH.

Blessings on you and prayers that it's resolvable!

 

[mickj]

Go to the ER, the shortness of breath needs to be addressed!

 

[Car-Guy]

Personally, I'd be of the mindset to move as quickly as possible for answers and then consider my options. If that's a visit to the ER, then I'd probably try that route "too". YMMV

 

[mickj]

Unfortunately, I have way too much experience with this, it may be a waste of a visit… But the alternative is much worse

 

[ER_Hopeful]

Go to the ER, the shortness of breath needs to be addressed!

shortness of breath might have been mischaracterization. When we went for a short slow walk (10 minutes), she felt pain/numbness in the right leg (above her knee) and was really trying to catch her breath, but when around the house, she is doing ok, not great though.

 

[Sunset]

I'm thinking of the fluid build up.

If she can't pee, or only a little dribble, go to emergency...

My Uncle went to emergency and when they cathered his bladder, it was black liquid and a huge amount (I keep thinking a gallon) came out but I wasn't there.

 

[pacergal]

If the ascites is causing shortness of breath, I say go to ER. Her prescription does not seem to be helping much at this point. The pain/numbness in her knee may be caused by pressure on a nerve from the fluid build up when she stands?
Sometimes docs will do a belly tap to get rid of the fluid.

I am sorry your wife is experiencing this health crisis. Sending healing thoughts your way.

 

[mystang52]

One suggestion: ask your wife's doctor, now: If the CT Scan warrants it, will the biopsy be done immediately, or will there be a delay before it can be scheduled? If the latter, can they schedule the biopsy, now, for a day or 2 after the CT Scan? If the CT Scan shows good news, the biopsy could always be cancelled at that point.
The most difficult thing about these scary, potential, diagnoses is the waiting for tests and the results. I've been through it myself, along with my DW. I have no magical words, but I do wish you the best for a good outcome.

 

[jollystomper]

Do you have an Immediate Care/Walk-in Clinic location near you? That might be faster than the ER.

 

[Telly]

Far be it from me to chase anyone to a doctor, much less ER... but...

If you are concerned about your wife's situation (and you are!), I'd go to an ER that is connected to a good hospital that has many services. "Connected" as in right there. Not a stand-alone across town. If the ER decides after some testing that it is serious with respect to time and degradation, they will admit her as an inpatient. If they don't, then the worst $-wise is you may have to pay more for the ER visit. I'd wouldn't worry about the $ or about bothering ER people. People go to the ER for all sorts of stuff, whether they should or not.
A weekend can be a long time...
Better a trip to ER today, than 911 over the weekend.

 

[badatmath]

D-dimer blood test would show blood clots (supposedly), did they do that?

Also, maybe call the provide that gave you the Rx and tell them it isn't helping. Maybe they could give you something else. (No idea if it takes time for that to work).

 

[COcheesehead]

My Mom went through this. I wish you the best.

 

[marko]

From my own experience: Don't be shy. Don't be polite. Don't be patient. Don't take no for an answer. DO be a PITA. Squeaky wheel gets the grease in the medical world.

Prayers. God Bless.

 

[ER_Hopeful]

ER first thing tomorrow morning.


question. I have a HSA account, if i want to use that money, do i have to use it at the point of sale or can i pay with credit card and reimburse myself later. actually, i dont think there will be a point of sale, my insurance (Anthem BC PPO thru my employer) will just bill me later.



you guys have been a big help, btw. much appreciated it.

 

[audreyh1]

You can reimburse yourself later from the HSA if you end up owing anything.

 

[Scuba]

I’m sorry you and DW are going through this, and hope for the best possible outcome for you both. I would probably go to the ER. Even if it doesn’t help, it might help ease your worries and maybe they can help DW get some relief from symptoms while you wait for more test results.

Best wishes!

 

[Dash man]

Don’t feel you have to accept appointments they offer. Push your doctor to make phone calls to get you in for tests and specialist appointments as soon as possible. DW is still here today because our doctor called to get her scans done and have her seen by specialists urgently. She had ovarian and uterine cancer 19 years ago.

 

[EastWest Gal]

Hang in there today, ER-hopeful. I agree you should go to the ER.

I saw lots of delays in my parents’ care from doctors’ offices, and was their squeaky wheel. I got both of my parents into the hospital when they needed to be there and the doctor’s offices slow-walked tests and referrals.

Be a squeaky wheel.

Another advantage to going to the ER is that ER physicians are trained to be thorough and order a battery of tests, as opposed to piecemeal evaluations you see in doctor’s offices. Her shortness of breath and the ascites as well as pleural effusions warrants a more urgent evaluation than what you have been offered.

If this advice is helpful, most hospitals in the L.A. area are affiliated with larger institutions, such as UCLA, which is one of the top hospitals in the country, ranking particularly high in cancer care.

 

[mcbraemer]

Every HSA plan that I have been involved with would allow you to either pay at POS with the HSA FOP, or pay another way and reimburse yourself afterwards. I generally used option #1 for simplicity sake.
Best Wishes!!!