This blog picks up where this one left off.

We met with a lovely, young, brilliant neurologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital who is also an assistant Professor and doctor of pharmacology. She went over the MRI’s and deemed them “abnormal.” The recommendation was a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to withdraw cerebral spinal fluid for evaluation and to assess pressure. This is what Dr. H recommended except he wanted to do this in his office and Dr. V. wanted this done in the hospital under radiological guidance. It was obvious we were in the correct place. In addition, she wanted to observe him within a few hours of the procedure to assess any changes.

The only glitches we had were in coordinating the two departments, but Dr. V. got everything straightened out and the procedure went fine. A huge amount of fluid was removed (50ccs) and husband was observed and tested within a few hours.

He was better balanced, walked quicker, stance was more normal and cognitive skills improved. She said she was “very hopeful.”

We will be meeting with a recommended neurosurgeon this Monday for a consultation on a brain shunt which will prevent this buildup of fluid.

The thing is this: the first neurologist whom I lost faith in, could have noted this eighteen months ago but didn’t; he initially said “everything was age appropriate.” It is obvious to me that he was ineffective and possibly didn’t even look at the first MRI, but just read the report, and it is possible that the person who interpreted the MRI and wrote the report screwed up.

(The second neurologist recommended a spinal tap in the hospital but didn’t mention an observation-follow-up.)

All this remains to be seen and possibly addressed. In the meantime, as the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) begins to collect again, though walking and balance are improved, the functioning varies each day. Hopefully it can be corrected and improve more. A home visit by our PT was even more encouraging: he and my husband walked around an entire block and after my husband spent a good while walking in the supermarket and managed. Prior to this, walking a few steps without stopping was impossible.

The takeaway is this: question and challenge anyone in the medical field, get the facts, don’t give up, and don’t assume a doctor knows it all. Follow your gut, go to the best, be your own advocate.

Continued here