Finders-Creepers

Grumpy musings on unexpected  medical findings:

My annual breast MRI report came back with some kind of liver lesion (other than that, everything looked tfu-tfu clean). I don't even know how they managed to get liver when doing breast scans? But I suppose it is best to be informed - and my doctor sent me to get a liver ultrasound.

It's been over a week and I haven't heard back. Because of insurance specifications, I can't do imaging at the same place where I go see my doctors (let's call it "P"). Instead, I have to go to a completely different medical system ("Z") that is conveniently located but has poor communication. Z will not release the report to P until one of the Z doctors has reviewed the images. The Z doctors haven't gotten around to looking at my images yet. 

So, I am a bit of an anxious mess. I don't deal well with unknowns. I hate risks. Oh, and this morning, a friend of mine sent me an update about her brother who has liver cancer (he is responding very well to treatment, thank G-d!). But my mind, unfortunately, immediately goes to "oh no, could it be me, too?"

Also, I have a strong recommendation (a demand?) from another doctor to do a biopsy of yet another organ (not liver) based on the results of yet another ultrasound. Am I getting old? Is my body falling apart? (um - yes...)

So - the thing is - the more tests one undergoes, the higher the likelihood of finding something. Which is why it is typically not recommended to do any sort of prophylactic full-body scans. Because an average person likely has some weirdness in their body that they could live with for decades and never be bothered by it. Except that when you know something is there, maybe you'll go see a surgeon. And a surgeon will, of course, want to cut it out. It's like "if you give a mouse a cookie", except "if you go see a surgeon..."

If you go see a surgeon, they'll want to cut something out.

But first, you'll need multiple blood tests, which will reveal that you are low on x or high on y.

The blood tests will lead to being prescribed medication.

The medication will make you sleepy/sneezy/dopey.

The anesthesiologist will then tell you to stop taking the medication (because it will interfere with anesthesia and increase the risk [of death] during the surgery). 

After the surgery, you'll go back for a check up with the surgeons, and they may tell you that they would really like to cut something else out.

So what's the solution? I'm afraid there's none. Living in blissful ignorance is not really an option (what would average life expectancy be without modern medicine?). I will continue to do regular check-ups, recommended tests, mammograms, and MRIs. And biopsies (I feel like I get to have at least 1 biopsy a year - is that normal?)

I wonder if I can adapt my dad's old adage (Those who do not drink or smoke will die healthy) to this dilemma. Perhaps: If you ignore medicine, you will die. If you follow all the medical advice and treatment - you will die healthier? (Sorry - that was a bit morbid)

What do you think?