Hi Kerry

[Guest guest]

Kerry,

If I can add my opinion...I agree with the things Joyce wrote below.

If you trust and like Dr. and he has recommended a second

consult, take the option. Only you can decide and you are so young!

My current lung dr is going to retire soon and as I was told his

cutting back on his practise.

My lung dr hates the thought of me getting a second opinion maybe

from fear etc...who knows, to the point were his secretary called me

on my cell phone and was yelling on the voicemail, I have no right to

seek a second opinion or have PFT's done at another hospital.

I did get my PFT's done at another hospital and the results are

pretty low from the first 2 sets of PFT's. I was asked, if I wanted

to see their respiratologist in the near future and I said yes.

Irene PF 03/07 Canada

---- Original Message ----

To: Breathe-Support

Sent: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:49 pm

Subject: Re: Need a shoulder to cry on and a 2nd

opinion doc

Kerry,

When my pulmonologist wanted me to go for a second opinion, he wanted

me to see McConnell. My insurance wouldn't cover them for transplant

so they did not want to see me as a consult patient. I thought your

insurance might allow you to go for a non-committal second opinion.

When Dr. O'Brien called me back he told me to see Dr. Fletcher in

N.A. He said that he had been head of the Pulmonary dept at U of L

until a couple of years ago when he opened his practice in IN. So, I

saw him, liked him but not overly impressed. He is the one who

talked me into going to St. Louis. I told him that I was not ready

to trade my life yet for a chance to live longer (which I would do

now in a heartbeat)...he told me to go...that they would not cut my

lungs out, only do a terrific work up. They did just that, fixed my

ticker and sent me home with a big NO! But, the point that I make is

that the work up they do for transplant is so thorough. When it is

finished, you have answers!

You know, if you like Dr. and know that he is doing a good

job for you, then trust him to choose a doc for consult. The fact

that he mentioned a consult impresses me. My doc did too. Some

doctors resent thier patients seeking a consult. Dr. O'Brien, who

has fought so very hard for me and wil NOT give up told me that he

wanted to know if another doc would find some way to help me that he

had missed. He has been so good to me. He is only working 3 days a

week now and I live in fear that he will retire.

Kerry, I pray for you so fervently. I want you to be well and enjoy

your sweet family. You are still just a baby (to me). You are so

smart and you will work this thing out! It is just such a heavy load

for someone your age. You are in my heart!

Hugs, Joyce D.

PULMONARY FIBROSIS/LUPUS 1997 BRONCHIECTASIS 2004 INDIANA

2 COR. 12:10 ....when I am weak, then I am strong.