Re: Contacted Teaching University Today

[Guest guest]

Hang in there, Jo. I know you are going to find the right people to help you. That is so frustrating. Of course, I completely freaked out my surgeon when I walked into his office with a clip board & 2 pages of questions for him!!!!!!!! I told him point blank, "I know I want the surgery, I'm just here to figure out if I want YOU to cut me open!" HAHAHAHAHA! Maybe that is why he was so nice...maybe I scared him. heehehe.

Thinking of you & looking forward to hearing you found THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO HELP!!!!

Cindi

29:11

____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/5/2004 12:41:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time, twoseknauf@... writes:

What about those of us who don't have a medical background? Imagine how they must feel--deflated, degraded, stupid maybe? For those in the medical field looking into this site, please realize that it is especially important NOT TO TALK DOWN to people when they are at their lowest, trying to find answers, wanting only the best and safest care. Please respect the patient who comes to you with a situation that is out of his or her control. Allow them the dignity they deserve as people who look up to you for your knowledge. Please be kind in your tone of voice--and even if you can't give us the answer we want, please let us down gently. I thank you all for allowing me to vent.Jo

Jo-

What wonderful, insightful advice to the "medical community."

When those of us who are not in medicine, but ARE college educated, intelligent adults who need objective and studied medical opinions and advice, we really need to feel like we are part of the "team."

Many of us do extensive research, but most of all, we KNOW our bodies, and when something is just not right.

I do respect and admire medical doctors for the extensive time learning and training to be doctors.

But if the doctors would treat us with the same respect we treat them, now wouldn't that be great!

Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

Jan, the only thing I can say to this is "AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!!"

Deb

Jo-

What wonderful, insightful advice to the "medical community."

When those of us who are not in medicine, but ARE college educated, intelligent adults who need objective and studied medical opinions and advice, we really need to feel like we are part of the "team."

Many of us do extensive research, but most of all, we KNOW our bodies, and when something is just not right.

I do respect and admire medical doctors for the extensive time learning and training to be doctors.

But if the doctors would treat us with the same respect we treat them, now wouldn't that be great!

Jan in Northern KY

What about those of us who don't have a medical background? Imagine how they must feel--deflated, degraded, stupid maybe? For those in the medical field looking into this site, please realize that it is especially important NOT TO TALK DOWN to people when they are at their lowest, trying to find answers, wanting only the best and safest care. Please respect the patient who comes to you with a situation that is out of his or her control. Allow them the dignity they deserve as people who look up to you for your knowledge. Please be kind in your tone of voice--and even if you can't give us the answer we want, please let us down gently. I thank you all for allowing me to vent.Jo

[Guest guest]

Encore !!

I have always felt that every nurse and doctor as part of their training should be tied to a bed - in traction with drips etc up and left there for at least 3 weeks !!!

JoanJohannesburg South Africajpearse@...

Contacted Teaching University Today

Hi Group,I just had to share, maybe vent a little. I contacted the UM Department of Gastroenterology and after being placed on hold several times, I finally spoke with the office RN. She was a little miffed at me because I chose to speak to a medical person and not the secretary even though, according to this office RN, the secretary was and is "well-versed" in Achalasia. I spoke with my internal med doc who scoffed at this. She was upset, "In my 30 years of practice, I have never heard of this disorder--how can a secretary be well-versed in it?" As a medical professional, I have been a witness, and those of us who deal directly with patients know this, to the "I know better than you," attitude that some of us unknowingly take--almost a defensive stance. I felt the "how dare you question me," tone in her voice. I have been guilty of this in the past, I admit and I work very hard not to be that way with my own care of my patients and their families.I suppose it comes with emotional maturity and empathy for your fellow human being. After I told her that my past experience included work in a trauma unit/high acuity intensive care setting, and that I somewhat had an idea about what was going on with me, she toned down.What about those of us who don't have a medical background? Imagine how they must feel--deflated, degraded, stupid maybe? For those in the medical field looking into this site, please realize that it is especially important NOT TO TALK DOWN to people when they are at their lowest, trying to find answers, wanting only the best and safest care. Please respect the patient who comes to you with a situation that is out of his or her control. Allow them the dignity they deserve as people who look up to you for your knowledge. Please be kind in your tone of voice--and even if you can't give us the answer we want, please let us down gently. I thank you all for allowing me to vent.Jo