OT - Health Update (more good stuff)

Fortunately, most of us are not in such acute need. But I agree, Vicki.

Tina


"vj" wrote...
i wish i could find a practice like that
around here.

Kathy, this is wonderful news. Thanks for sharing it, and may things really
stay turned around for the good after this.
Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com

excellent news....
and yup- hubby would probably like the donut shop better than the docs....
be well. smiles,susie g

--

susie gibson

********************************************
http://www.reachone.com/sgibson/
********************************************

"Kathy N-V" wrote in message
. giganews.com...
Today I had an appointment with my new doc - which I thought would be
the one I had met in the ER last summer who was so wonderful.
Actually, I ended up with her partner, since the ER doc won't be
taking new patients until next June. This doc is just as nice.

It turns out that this is an all female practice, all female docs,
support staff and patients. Poor Bob said that it made him feel very
uncomfortable, even though everyone was nice to him. Also, the
posted code of ethics in this place forbids pharmaceutical
representatives, so there is no pressure to choose a particular drug
for financial reasons. (I like that)

After filling out the reams of forms detailing my medical history
(why isn't there one standardized form for all docs - I'd have it on
my computer and just print it out each time), I was called into a
treatment room. You can tell it's a new practice because there is no
art anywhere, and the place looks rather stark: just plain old
linoleum and furniture in a mauve sort of color scheme.

My new doc came in and asked what brought me there today. I told her
that the ER docs had highly recommended her, and that I need a new
PCP. Of course, she asked why. Before Bob could answer with a full
fledged rant, I said that the old PCP's practice had become so large
that my complex medical problems just couldn't be handled adequately.

We went over the medical history and the list of my meds. Of course,
she zoned in on two areas: the Prednisone and the new pain meds.
After a talk about my lifelong history of asthma, she asked if I had
ever been in a nearby lung rehab hospital. When I said I hadn't, she
started musing aloud, "Insurance will only pay for a stint in the
rehab hospital if you've been in an inpatient for three days or more.
I'll call your pulmonologist so we can get you admitted the next time
you have an asthma flare, and we'll get some rehab going for you."

She had absolutely no problem with the pain medication I'm taking,
and readily signed the three-way agreement from the Pain Clinic.
(promising she'll prescribe the pain meds when I can't go into
Boston) Turns out that she did a stint in that pain clinic while she
was a resident, and knows my doc there. She then asked what kind of
meds I had been taking for pain before this one, and was speechless
when I told her "nothing."

"For someone with your medical history, I find that astonishing." she
said after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "No wonder you've had
to go to the ER so many times, and I can see why you needed a new
PCP." (She also commented that my dose of medicine is "extremely
low," and to speak up if it doesn't provide me with adequate relief.)

We reviewed the results of all the tests I've had lately. I carry all
that crap with me in a portfolio, because I've learned you can't
always depend on the mail to get your stuff everywhere on time. She
looked at the spinal MRIs and told me that it looks like I have some
more spinal fusion in my future, and probably a new hip. (Which I
knew, but would have preferred not to think about) My gyno stuff can
wait for now, and she wants to call my cardiologist to see if we
should get moving on the pacemaker that we've had on hold forever.

When I expressed some frustration about all the weight that I've put
on from being sick, she told me that with the Prednisone and some of
my other meds, it would have been impossible to not gain weight, no
matter how little I eat. And with my forced inactivity because of
the heart and my injuries, I shouldn't even think of blaming myself.
However, once she gets the go-ahead from the lung doctor and the
cardiologist, she wants to get me into the weight management program,
so I can be as healthy as possible before any future surgery. (Being
thinner would make the surgery safer)

All in all, it was a very successful visit, and I'm very glad I found
her. I came home to two more calls from the old PCP's office (this
makes six calls from them), saying that Dr. X isn't coming up as my
primary care doctor in the insurance company computer any longer, and
what's up. To stop the flood of calls, I'm going to contact them and
say that I've decided to terminate the relationship with Dr. X, with
no further explanation.

Coincidentally, I got a call from the town Public Health department,
telling me that my name was picked in the lottery for flu vaccine. I
have to show up on Sunday, between 9:00 and 9:45 a.m., with a
doctor's note confirming my need for the shot, and wearing a short
sleeved shirt. Cool beans - when I put my name in, the nurse told me
my chances were 1:20 at best.

It looks like all the different crises I've had over the past few
months are settling down, and that my life is going to eventually get
back to "normal." I'm so pleased with the new doc, met everyone in
the office to get to know them, and the new doc sounded happy to help
me coordinate care with all the specialists. (She did her internship
at the Boston hospital where most of my specialists are based, and
she knows them all.)

Somehow, amazingly, I think I've landed on my feet once again. Must
be those powerful RCB vibes.

Kathy N-V

P.S.: I won't be bringing Bob with me in the future. The place is
literally up the street from our house, so I can get myself there,
and the in your face femininity of the office was creeping him out.
I really can't say I blame him. If he does end up having to drive
me, I'll leave him in the Dunkin' Donut shop on the first floor of
the building while I go upstairs.



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 10/27/04

Wow, that sounds like a VAST improvement over the old doc! That's awesome!

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


Kathy N-V wrote:
Today I had an appointment with my new doc - which I thought would be
the one I had met in the ER last summer who was so wonderful.
Actually, I ended up with her partner, since the ER doc won't be
taking new patients until next June. This doc is just as nice.
-snip-
Somehow, amazingly, I think I've landed on my feet once again. Must
be those powerful RCB vibes.

Kathy N-V

Wonderful news!

Heather

Kathy N-V wrote:

Today I had an appointment with my new doc - which I thought would be
the one I had met in the ER last summer who was so wonderful.
Actually, I ended up with her partner, since the ER doc won't be
taking new patients until next June. This doc is just as nice.

It turns out that this is an all female practice, all female docs,
support staff and patients. Poor Bob said that it made him feel very
uncomfortable, even though everyone was nice to him. Also, the
posted code of ethics in this place forbids pharmaceutical
representatives, so there is no pressure to choose a particular drug
for financial reasons. (I like that)

After filling out the reams of forms detailing my medical history
(why isn't there one standardized form for all docs - I'd have it on
my computer and just print it out each time), I was called into a
treatment room. You can tell it's a new practice because there is no
art anywhere, and the place looks rather stark: just plain old
linoleum and furniture in a mauve sort of color scheme.

My new doc came in and asked what brought me there today. I told her
that the ER docs had highly recommended her, and that I need a new
PCP. Of course, she asked why. Before Bob could answer with a full
fledged rant, I said that the old PCP's practice had become so large
that my complex medical problems just couldn't be handled adequately.

We went over the medical history and the list of my meds. Of course,
she zoned in on two areas: the Prednisone and the new pain meds.
After a talk about my lifelong history of asthma, she asked if I had
ever been in a nearby lung rehab hospital. When I said I hadn't, she
started musing aloud, "Insurance will only pay for a stint in the
rehab hospital if you've been in an inpatient for three days or more.
I'll call your pulmonologist so we can get you admitted the next time
you have an asthma flare, and we'll get some rehab going for you."

She had absolutely no problem with the pain medication I'm taking,
and readily signed the three-way agreement from the Pain Clinic.
(promising she'll prescribe the pain meds when I can't go into
Boston) Turns out that she did a stint in that pain clinic while she
was a resident, and knows my doc there. She then asked what kind of
meds I had been taking for pain before this one, and was speechless
when I told her "nothing."

"For someone with your medical history, I find that astonishing." she
said after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "No wonder you've had
to go to the ER so many times, and I can see why you needed a new
PCP." (She also commented that my dose of medicine is "extremely
low," and to speak up if it doesn't provide me with adequate relief.)

We reviewed the results of all the tests I've had lately. I carry all
that crap with me in a portfolio, because I've learned you can't
always depend on the mail to get your stuff everywhere on time. She
looked at the spinal MRIs and told me that it looks like I have some
more spinal fusion in my future, and probably a new hip. (Which I
knew, but would have preferred not to think about) My gyno stuff can
wait for now, and she wants to call my cardiologist to see if we
should get moving on the pacemaker that we've had on hold forever.

When I expressed some frustration about all the weight that I've put
on from being sick, she told me that with the Prednisone and some of
my other meds, it would have been impossible to not gain weight, no
matter how little I eat. And with my forced inactivity because of
the heart and my injuries, I shouldn't even think of blaming myself.
However, once she gets the go-ahead from the lung doctor and the
cardiologist, she wants to get me into the weight management program,
so I can be as healthy as possible before any future surgery. (Being
thinner would make the surgery safer)

All in all, it was a very successful visit, and I'm very glad I found
her. I came home to two more calls from the old PCP's office (this
makes six calls from them), saying that Dr. X isn't coming up as my
primary care doctor in the insurance company computer any longer, and
what's up. To stop the flood of calls, I'm going to contact them and
say that I've decided to terminate the relationship with Dr. X, with
no further explanation.

Coincidentally, I got a call from the town Public Health department,
telling me that my name was picked in the lottery for flu vaccine. I
have to show up on Sunday, between 9:00 and 9:45 a.m., with a
doctor's note confirming my need for the shot, and wearing a short
sleeved shirt. Cool beans - when I put my name in, the nurse told me
my chances were 1:20 at best.

It looks like all the different crises I've had over the past few
months are settling down, and that my life is going to eventually get
back to "normal." I'm so pleased with the new doc, met everyone in
the office to get to know them, and the new doc sounded happy to help
me coordinate care with all the specialists. (She did her internship
at the Boston hospital where most of my specialists are based, and
she knows them all.)

Somehow, amazingly, I think I've landed on my feet once again. Must
be those powerful RCB vibes.

Kathy N-V

P.S.: I won't be bringing Bob with me in the future. The place is
literally up the street from our house, so I can get myself there,
and the in your face femininity of the office was creeping him out.
I really can't say I blame him. If he does end up having to drive
me, I'll leave him in the Dunkin' Donut shop on the first floor of
the building while I go upstairs.

I'm so happy for you! Hearing good news is so wonderful. I hope that
your new doc gets you all better (as much as possible) she sure sounds
like she will.

All the best,
Wendy