Panic

I’ve been in some panic this week.

On Wednesday, I received a letter from the surgery. It came from a Specialist Practitioner, whatever they are.

As you may remember, at the end of Feb, we went for our annual MOTs. I hadn’t bothered to ring up for the results. Bad news always come through quickly enough. We knew the Fox’s blood pressure was rather high. He’s going back next week for a further reading. As for me, since I hadn’t heard anything, I’d assumed all was well. Apparently not.

The letter simply stated “I am currently reviewing your recent cholesterol results which may require some treatment, but before I can advise you any further I wonder if you could provide me with some details relating to family history on the enclosed questionnaire (only need to complete the highlighted areas). Once completed could you return to the surgery for my attention.” The questionnaire highlighted history related to strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and high blood pressure.

There is no suggestion of an appointment to see this woman. No suggestion I could phone her if I have any questions.

I knew my blood cholesterol was high. It has been high for years. However, my then GP, now retired, did some calculation on the computer which  showed that, as I had almost more good cholesterol than bad, my chances of a stroke or heart attack as a result is less than 1%, he therefore told me to continue doing whatever I had been doing as clearly it was doing me good.

So this letter has come as quite a shock. Do I now have signs of becoming diabetic? I’m not excessively thirsty or crave sweet foods. Am I about to have a heart attack or stroke any minute? I’ve no idea. As for blood pressure, for once the nurse taking my blood pressure was pleased to see I was lower than usual, at a healthy level.

As you can see the letter gave no indication of what this specialist practitioner has discovered, or think she has discovered. I’m just left in a state of great tension, verging on panic.

I did fill in the form as best I could. After some thought, I decided not to bother my cousins with questions of family history, certainly not in these circumstances. They have enough to worry about with all the problems with cancer in the family at the moment. I can’t ask anyone in my more immediate family. My mother died in 1978, my brother in 2001 & my father in 2003. I am the sole remaining member.

I just hope now she at least tells me if there is nothing wrong.

Meanwhile I’m seriously thinking of writing a complaint. This is no way to tell a person they may have a serious medical problem. It’s just the sort of extra tension that is likely to bring on that heart attack or stroke!