Re: Surgeon/Hopspital - Opinions

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My comments are based on the post-operative care at MD received by my

sister, who lives in Albuquerque but stayed with me in Houston while undergoing

treatment there.

Her Albuquerque doctor highly recommended a particular surgeon at MDA. When it

came to getting an appointment to see that doctor, it took her over two weeks to

get any reply from them, never mind an appointment.

MDA had her see several doctors at their hospital beyond the surgeon; one

threatened to not to allow her to have the surgery unless she had additional

tests run -- even though she brought recent results of the same tests with her.

Her insurance covered everything.

The nursing care seemed excellent. Her room had a white board and a log of

activity was there for her and every other medical person to see. Each shift's

nurses and technicians introduced themselves like the professionals they are.

After the surgery, they lost her pathology results. For 6 weeks, she thought she

had cancer and was planning regular visits to Houston for chemo. The pathology

results were phoned to her within 30 minutes of contacting the patients'

ombudsman. (No cancer -- lucky girl.)

When we went to MDA for a scheduled appointment, it turned out that the only

thing scheduled about it was the day. She was expected to stay there all day

until her name was called.

When we talked with a nurse in the surgeon's office about this, she said it's

how cancer hospitals run.

Being in a hospital is never a perfect situation. MDA consistently gets high

marks as a very technically competent hospital. I don't know if my sister's

experiences are particular to the surgeon's office or to MDA as a whole.

I posts these comments with the thought it may help shape the questions you may

want to ask.

I wish you the best of good health,

kidbobo

>

> I don't post often but I wanted some input from the local members. I'm

Hypothyroid with 's and recently diagnosed with a growing Pituitary

Adenoma, which is a benign tumor. It's now at 5mm. I'm sure the newest surgical

technique of going up through the nose to remove it will be used as both the

surgeons listed perform many of these operations, or so I'm told by their office

staff on the phone.

>

> My regular Endocrinologist is Dr. Vivian , who is very good. She's

been diligent at trying to help me and ran tests no one else ever suggested,

hence finding the tumor, high RT3 (which has resolved), high Growth Hormone and

IGF-1 and so forth. We've worked and worked to normalize my daily hydrocortisone

dose. She was my 5th (or was it 6th??) Endo and the only one worth a hoot as far

as I'm concerned. She's been working with me for a year.

>

> I've narrowed the possible tumor surgeons to:

>

> Dr. Baskin - Houston Affl: Methodist Hospital

>

> Or

>

> Dr. Ian McCutcheon - Houston Aff: MD

>

> Any input on either surgeon or opinions on whether I'd be better off at

Methodist or MD for the operation????

>

> Thanks,

> Stultz

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Kidbobo,

Thank you SO much for replying. I've been leaning toward Dr. Baskin and Methodist and your comments were extremely helpful. I don't have cancer, as the pituitary adenoma is most likely benign. Most all of them are. And, it's more important to me to have a competent surgeon and a decent hospital. So far, we've been impressed with the Methodist system so hopefully the downtown facility is as good as the one is Sugar Land.

We called Dr. Baskin and Gayle at his office immediately called my Endocrinologist, Dr. , to get my records and then get a CD of the MRI pictures from the diagnostic office in Sugar Land where I had the MRI's. I was so RELIEVED that SOMEONE was showing a sense of urgency, which has not been the case up til now. As much as I like Dr. it has taken 3 WEEKS to get my results this last go round. Gayle said she would call me by the end of the week after Dr. Baskin took a first look at the information. He gets pituitary patients in to see him in 2-3 weeks as opposed to 4 week lead for regular patients.

I simply am not well enough to 'sit around' at any Dr's office or hospital all day waiting to see them. So that's a strike for MD . That's been an issue with Dr. as I have had to ask for a room so I can lay down while I've waiting sometimes an hour to 2 hours even with an appointment.

Thanks!

Stultz

> To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups > Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:57:00 +0000> Subject: Re: Surgeon/Hopspital - Opinions> > Hi ,> > My comments are based on the post-operative care at MD received by my sister, who lives in Albuquerque but stayed with me in Houston while undergoing treatment there.> > Her Albuquerque doctor highly recommended a particular surgeon at MDA. When it came to getting an appointment to see that doctor, it took her over two weeks to get any reply from them, never mind an appointment. > > MDA had her see several doctors at their hospital beyond the surgeon; one threatened to not to allow her to have the surgery unless she had additional tests run -- even though she brought recent results of the same tests with her. Her insurance covered everything. > > The nursing care seemed excellent. Her room had a white board and a log of activity was there for her and every other medical person to see. Each shift's nurses and technicians introduced themselves like the professionals they are. > > After the surgery, they lost her pathology results. For 6 weeks, she thought she had cancer and was planning regular visits to Houston for chemo. The pathology results were phoned to her within 30 minutes of contacting the patients' ombudsman. (No cancer -- lucky girl.) > > When we went to MDA for a scheduled appointment, it turned out that the only thing scheduled about it was the day. She was expected to stay there all day until her name was called.> > When we talked with a nurse in the surgeon's office about this, she said it's how cancer hospitals run. > > Being in a hospital is never a perfect situation. MDA consistently gets high marks as a very technically competent hospital. I don't know if my sister's experiences are particular to the surgeon's office or to MDA as a whole.> > I posts these comments with the thought it may help shape the questions you may want to ask.> > I wish you the best of good health,> kidbobo> > > > >> > I don't post often but I wanted some input from the local members. I'm Hypothyroid with 's and recently diagnosed with a growing Pituitary Adenoma, which is a benign tumor. It's now at 5mm. I'm sure the newest surgical technique of going up through the nose to remove it will be used as both the surgeons listed perform many of these operations, or so I'm told by their office staff on the phone.> > > > My regular Endocrinologist is Dr. Vivian , who is very good. She's been diligent at trying to help me and ran tests no one else ever suggested, hence finding the tumor, high RT3 (which has resolved), high Growth Hormone and IGF-1 and so forth. We've worked and worked to normalize my daily hydrocortisone dose. She was my 5th (or was it 6th??) Endo and the only one worth a hoot as far as I'm concerned. She's been working with me for a year. > > > > I've narrowed the possible tumor surgeons to:> > > > Dr. Baskin - Houston Affl: Methodist Hospital > > > > Or> > > > Dr. Ian McCutcheon - Houston Aff: MD > > > > Any input on either surgeon or opinions on whether I'd be better off at Methodist or MD for the operation????> > > > Thanks,> > Stultz> >> > > > > ------------------------------------> >

[Guest guest]

Dear Kidbobo,

Thank you SO much for replying. I've been leaning toward Dr. Baskin and Methodist and your comments were extremely helpful. I don't have cancer, as the pituitary adenoma is most likely benign. Most all of them are. And, it's more important to me to have a competent surgeon and a decent hospital. So far, we've been impressed with the Methodist system so hopefully the downtown facility is as good as the one is Sugar Land.

We called Dr. Baskin and Gayle at his office immediately called my Endocrinologist, Dr. , to get my records and then get a CD of the MRI pictures from the diagnostic office in Sugar Land where I had the MRI's. I was so RELIEVED that SOMEONE was showing a sense of urgency, which has not been the case up til now. As much as I like Dr. it has taken 3 WEEKS to get my results this last go round. Gayle said she would call me by the end of the week after Dr. Baskin took a first look at the information. He gets pituitary patients in to see him in 2-3 weeks as opposed to 4 week lead for regular patients.

I simply am not well enough to 'sit around' at any Dr's office or hospital all day waiting to see them. So that's a strike for MD . That's been an issue with Dr. as I have had to ask for a room so I can lay down while I've waiting sometimes an hour to 2 hours even with an appointment.

Thanks!

Stultz

> To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups > Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:57:00 +0000> Subject: Re: Surgeon/Hopspital - Opinions> > Hi ,> > My comments are based on the post-operative care at MD received by my sister, who lives in Albuquerque but stayed with me in Houston while undergoing treatment there.> > Her Albuquerque doctor highly recommended a particular surgeon at MDA. When it came to getting an appointment to see that doctor, it took her over two weeks to get any reply from them, never mind an appointment. > > MDA had her see several doctors at their hospital beyond the surgeon; one threatened to not to allow her to have the surgery unless she had additional tests run -- even though she brought recent results of the same tests with her. Her insurance covered everything. > > The nursing care seemed excellent. Her room had a white board and a log of activity was there for her and every other medical person to see. Each shift's nurses and technicians introduced themselves like the professionals they are. > > After the surgery, they lost her pathology results. For 6 weeks, she thought she had cancer and was planning regular visits to Houston for chemo. The pathology results were phoned to her within 30 minutes of contacting the patients' ombudsman. (No cancer -- lucky girl.) > > When we went to MDA for a scheduled appointment, it turned out that the only thing scheduled about it was the day. She was expected to stay there all day until her name was called.> > When we talked with a nurse in the surgeon's office about this, she said it's how cancer hospitals run. > > Being in a hospital is never a perfect situation. MDA consistently gets high marks as a very technically competent hospital. I don't know if my sister's experiences are particular to the surgeon's office or to MDA as a whole.> > I posts these comments with the thought it may help shape the questions you may want to ask.> > I wish you the best of good health,> kidbobo> > > > >> > I don't post often but I wanted some input from the local members. I'm Hypothyroid with 's and recently diagnosed with a growing Pituitary Adenoma, which is a benign tumor. It's now at 5mm. I'm sure the newest surgical technique of going up through the nose to remove it will be used as both the surgeons listed perform many of these operations, or so I'm told by their office staff on the phone.> > > > My regular Endocrinologist is Dr. Vivian , who is very good. She's been diligent at trying to help me and ran tests no one else ever suggested, hence finding the tumor, high RT3 (which has resolved), high Growth Hormone and IGF-1 and so forth. We've worked and worked to normalize my daily hydrocortisone dose. She was my 5th (or was it 6th??) Endo and the only one worth a hoot as far as I'm concerned. She's been working with me for a year. > > > > I've narrowed the possible tumor surgeons to:> > > > Dr. Baskin - Houston Affl: Methodist Hospital > > > > Or> > > > Dr. Ian McCutcheon - Houston Aff: MD > > > > Any input on either surgeon or opinions on whether I'd be better off at Methodist or MD for the operation????> > > > Thanks,> > Stultz> >> > > > > ------------------------------------> >

[Guest guest]

You're welcome.

Wishing you the best,

kidbobo

> > >

> > > I don't post often but I wanted some input from the local members. I'm

Hypothyroid with 's and recently diagnosed with a growing Pituitary

Adenoma, which is a benign tumor. It's now at 5mm. I'm sure the newest surgical

technique of going up through the nose to remove it will be used as both the

surgeons listed perform many of these operations, or so I'm told by their office

staff on the phone.

> > >

> > > My regular Endocrinologist is Dr. Vivian , who is very good.

She's been diligent at trying to help me and ran tests no one else ever

suggested, hence finding the tumor, high RT3 (which has resolved), high Growth

Hormone and IGF-1 and so forth. We've worked and worked to normalize my daily

hydrocortisone dose. She was my 5th (or was it 6th??) Endo and the only one

worth a hoot as far as I'm concerned. She's been working with me for a year.

> > >

> > > I've narrowed the possible tumor surgeons to:

> > >

> > > Dr. Baskin - Houston Affl: Methodist Hospital

> > >

> > > Or

> > >

> > > Dr. Ian McCutcheon - Houston Aff: MD

> > >

> > > Any input on either surgeon or opinions on whether I'd be better off at

Methodist or MD for the operation????

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Stultz

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> >