Terminology

cariaad · #1 08-23-2003, 07:29 PM

Hi again, this is something that's just been sort of simmering in my nrain for a while...it's the terminology problem. It seemslike every dr, nurse, therapist, etc has a different term for the same condition or whatever. Sometimes I feel like Im talking in circles just trying to find out if we're all on the same page. Does anyone else ever have this problem? It's better now that we are settled in with the same group of drs, but still comes up and throws me sometimes. Also, I have been asked several times lately if Alli's trach is a "permanent trach" I always say I hope not

but could there be some other meaning to the question then what Im getting (which is-will she always have it) Generally this is asked by someone on the phone who has not seen her in person. ANyway, thanks for listening. Deb

Jacob's Mom · #2 08-23-2003, 09:22 PM

For some strange, unknown reason, I took a medical terminology class my senior year of college. (I think it was because I needed a class to keep me full time to keep my scholarship.) Anyways, it was so funny when Jacob was born and I was throwing around all these words I knew and actually knew what the doctors were talking about. A lot of people asked me if I was a nurse. But I still find myself debating the way the words are used by different people. I have also been asked if Jacob's trach is permanent. Well, if you are referring to whether he will always have it - yes, it is more than likely permanent. But I think the context in which they were asking was something different, as in "Is it unremovable?" Other terms I notice being interchanged are CPAP and BiPAP. I know the basic difference, but Jacob's doctor refers to what he is on as BiPAP, but the vent says "CPAP" and the respiratory therapist uses "CPAP". Whatever - as long as he is getting what he needs. But I can totally relate to what you are saying....it can get really frustrating to us sometimes.

Judy · #3 08-23-2003, 10:42 PM

There is a book that was put out by Early Intervention or Babies Can't Wait and it lists all the terminology you will generally hear. I do not remember the name but I feel sure you can find one at Amazon.com or through your early intervention program. Good Luck. God Bless You.

christyw · #4 08-23-2003, 11:25 PM

Kath - yeah, I think the medical folks feel strange when we pick up on their terminology so well that we sound like docs ourselves. I was in a discussion with a doctor in the cardiology dept and she asked me if I was a med student. I was SO honored! I mean, I didn't sit in front of the computer for 15 hours a day researching every TINY little bit of Gaithy's medical problems for nothing! As well as stay glued to my medical dictionary and every other good reference I could get a hold of. Gaithy's had a ton of little and big diagnoses and issues, and I wanted to get to the bottom of each one. The PROBLEM is, one condition may have 3 possible causes, and then each of those three causes may be caused by a slough of other issues - you can really run around in circles - but it was the ONLY way I could stay sane, you know?

I also took a Med Term class in college, after I had Gaithy. I loved that class and learned what all the roots, suffixes, and prefixes mean. No, I don't remember them all, but many of them, and that helps.

I would be frustrated too if there were too many names for something and doctors kept interchanging. I don't think we've really had that problem much, not recently I know.

christy

cariaad · #5 08-24-2003, 07:50 AM

Well, at least Im not just nuts! LOL. I will be taking Medical Terminology next semester (working on RN) so I'll probably have a head start on some of my classmates. Many of our drs and nurses have encouraged me, so Im hoping I'll do well. We could sure use the income and a job with insurance! On a different note, Alli's autism evaluation is scheduled to be concluded on Monday, of course when I'll be at school and Mike will be here with her. I have a feeling she will test "worse"than she actually is because the psychologist who does it just breezes in and starts without giving her a chance to get used to him again, and she won't warm up to him for about 30 minutes or so...but, we'll see. Deb

christyw · #6 08-24-2003, 11:42 AM

Deb,

I'm so glad you're going to go to school. Maybe you've mentioned this, but this was the first I recall seeing it. My husband would have NEVER considered any career in nursing, health professions, etc...until Gaithy. He was such a weak-stomached, person, and VERY nervous with it all. He would turn as white as a ghost and pass out when he needed his blood drawn, (he did this when we found out something was going to be wrong with Gaithy and I was laying there getting an amniocentesis done. She wasn't growing...other stuff they thought she had [which she didn't] and they wanted us to abort - what a crock that was!) and he passed out during my C-section too - they just laid him out on the cold floor! :-)Anyway, several months later he took a six-month EMT course, and became an ER Tech in the meantime, just to see what some of it might be like. He now works as an EMT, on a paramedic truck, so he gets to see it all and do lots of things that he enjoys. He is applying for the RN program at ASU next year, and working on prerequisites now. It is amazing what Gaithy has done for him, how she has inspired him. I wish she had always been as healthy as could be - but I VERY much appreciate the character she's added to both my husband and myself - it's almost like I wouldn't want it any other way...but not quite! I would never trade her health for our character! But I hope you know what I mean.

Anyway, I wish you the best!! You can really make a difference in people's lives, because you have been thru so much. Educated, kind, understanding, and helpful nurses were crucial to our lives the first year - I'm so glad we had so many.

christy

cariaad · #7 08-24-2003, 12:25 PM

Before all our experiences with Alli I was the same way, I'd just about pass out if a blood sample was drawn. Now, I have just learned to put it in a new perspective. Alli has shown us so much courage in her 3 years that to not have grown as a result of seeing it, I guess I would feel like a turnip or something! All the nurses that have helped me the most have all been mothers of kids with medical problems and have also inspired me. Maybe it's all somehow part of God's plan for us, that we grow from what we've been thru and can make the road easier for the next parent going thru it...that's my hope. Deb