Question about medical treatment

[Rhio2k]

My dad was found to have 100% blockage in the major arteries in the left side of his neck, and 60% in the right side. Shouldn't he have immediately been scheduled for surgery? He had the examination about a month ago, and the VA hasn't said ANYTHING about surgery. I've been reading about how minorities don't get treatment that's routinely given to caucasians in the same situation, regardless of income status. Could this be one of those situations? Dad could keel over any moment, but all he gets is "Wow, that's bad...well, have a good day, sir. Come back if you have any problems."

[thedude.com]

i'm sorry to hear that man :sad:

lesson in life . always take care of your health , because the hospital is the devil .

[Rhio2k]

Well, dad's from the "Poke chops 'n' chitlins" generation.. You know, older brothers who eat whatever tastes good, don't exercise but complain about their expanding gut, and only worry about their health when they have the first collapse and it's usually too late by that time. Dad was making fun of me with my weightlifting and "special diet": lean meats, oatmeal, whole grain wheat bread, fruits, no pork, and no fried food...now he's on her case for NOT feeding him this stuff. HE was the one who got on her case when she tried to serve him similarly healthy foods one night. He wanted his fried pork. He pretty much asked for the situation he's in. Now his hypertension is causing him to start arguments at the drop of a hat, and he blames it on us. Seems to me, dad has trouble taking responsibility for his own actions.

[Ragetowersrage]

Well since the hospital played the race card. Why dont you?

[Rhio2k]

I'm just trying to figure out if that IS what's going on. Race card is too broken to just whip out at a moment's notice. If I waste it now on a false alarm, it does nothing AND I've got no meter until the next match.

[Raz0r]

Why don't you just go to another doctor and get a second opinion?

[xjester]

My dads had multiple heart attacks and has 7 stints in him.
I konw where your comming from, and all you can do is hope for the best.

[Rhio2k]

Why don't you just go to another doctor and get a second opinion?

No idea. He just tells me that I need to handle MY business (3 different illegal mexican families seem to be doing things using my social security number, and they aren't being punished, despite law enforcement having multiple documents with their addresses in North Virginia, Washington DC, and New York), and make sure I'm ready to run the house when he goes.

[thedude.com]

make sure I'm ready to run the house when he goes.

you've just spoken that line like a real dominant male . :rock:

[Sheng-Long]

My dad was found to have 100% blockage in the major arteries in the left side of his neck, and 60% in the right side. Shouldn't he have immediately been scheduled for surgery? He had the examination about a month ago, and the VA hasn't said ANYTHING about surgery. I've been reading about how minorities don't get treatment that's routinely given to caucasians in the same situation, regardless of income status. Could this be one of those situations? Dad could keel over any moment, but all he gets is "Wow, that's bad...well, have a good day, sir. Come back if you have any problems."

The human body is an awesome thing ain't it?
100% and 60% carotid artery blockage and the guy is still alive.

Did he have a stroke before?

Actually if the left carotid is at 100% already then there is no point in opening it up (Endarterectomy??). Did they give him any medication? What did the doctor exactly say after diagnosis?

You mentioned the race card and Pork N' Chitlins so I'm guessing he's black? and so does he have diabetes and is that under control?

I'm not a doctor so ALWAYS consult another DOCTOR if you have questions.

When in doubt don't pull the race card. That never solves anything. Always go for a second medical opinion when in doubt medically (from a MEDICAL DOCTOR!! and NO Chiropractors and Accupuncturists are NOT doctors).

PS.
I'm addressing this not just to you but to SRK in General. Please people don't use the RACE CARD. You can't achieve anything using that but incite indifference. How bout pulling the LOGIC, SCIENCE and COMMON SENSE card once in a while? This board has a severe lack of those, esp when it comes to science related threads.

[DaLastDon25]

Pull the Race card when Logic, Common Sense, and Science seem to take a back seat because minorities are perceived to not have insurance. Medicine is rarely about science anymore. Doctors see so many patients a day, they usually just glance over black people's because of the PERCEPTION that they won't pay for services. It's the same exact thing as the black guy in the Korean deli. There's the perception that they're there to steal and not buy.

[Sheng-Long]

And does the RACE CARD solve that problem how?

Black guy stealing in a Korean deli? I didn't know ppl steal sandwiches now.

mr. visible minority: "Hey man, you are being racist to me!"
mr. non minority: "oh I'm sorry, I see you have pulled the race card and I see the error in my ways, let me now regale you songs of how awesome you are while I serve you fresh deli sandwiches !"

Doctors just glance over black people when they are being diagnosed compared to the white man? You base that on what? If you really feel that paranoid then look for a 'colored' doctor.

[Rhio2k]

Did they give him any medication? What did the doctor exactly say after diagnosis?

You mentioned the race card and Pork N' Chitlins so I'm guessing he's black? and so does he have diabetes and is that under control?



He's had 2 "collapses". The first time they put a stent into his heart. The second time, they said he just had an ear infection that affected his balance. He likes to submerge his ears in bath water after he's bathed every part and the water's sorta murky gray...uch.

1: He's taking 6 or more different meds daily...not sure what tey're for and he doesn't want to tell me.

2: That's a tricky subject. You see, he'll want to know EVERYTHING ver batim I was told if i were to go to the hospital, but he just gives you a little info and says that the rest doesn't matter.

3: Yesarooni, positoony, we're going-dammit, can't get that song out of my head. Curse you, Pinky Dinky Doo!

4:...I...don't know. You see, last year he stopped smoking for about 3 months. As some bizarre sore of habit-replacement, he developed a sweet FANG. Every time I go out, he's always yelling after me "Bring back some oatmeal cookies with the frosting/chocolate covered peanut clusters/hershey's almond bars/apple pie/ something sweet." So there is a real chance he will shortly develop diabetes soon.

[Sheng-Long]

He's probably taking meds for his blood-pressure and anti-coagulants to prevent strokes. He probably lucked out and didn't develop diabetes (lucked out genetically, Diabetes is pretty common for African-Americans), but still he needs to watch his diet and incorporate exercise.

ouch, he was smoking until 3 months ago? That definitely doesn't help at all.

BTW
I just got off the phone with my uncle who is a neurosurgeon (not a cardiologist but he's still an MD so he's knowledgeable about this stuff), and asked him why they didn't operate on your father despite the 100% and 60% blockage (without mentioning what race or age your father is), and he said that 100% blockage shouldn't be operated because the risk is too great for him to stroke if operated rather than leaving it alone and the 60% wasn't operated on because they only operate if the blockage is at 75% or higher because of the risks.

PS
I guess you really do have to step in and take charge over his diet and exercise if he wants to extend his life. Also, the fact that his carotid arteries are blocked also suggests that he's not getting as much blood in his brain so it could affect his rational decision-making, so you should get the rest of your family and do some sort of intervention on his behalf if he remains stubborn.

[Rhio2k]

Oh, a little clarification, he's smoking again, he had quit for 3 months last year. He's 62-3 (we don't celebrate birthdays). And the best I can do is give him little diet tips like eat oatmeal more often, eat more fish baked, not fried, that kind of thing. He has issues with me telling him what to do. Lack of respect for elders or some junk.