Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 > > I have tracked your progress more than almost any other person here > with great interest for you have undergone what I will soon be facing. > > Best Regards, > > Tom U .................................. Tom, when you do face what has undergone who will be doing the procedure? P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 > The single most point I can ever stress on this or any other board or > forum is that the difference between paroxysmal and continuous AF is > so signicant they should really be segregated and considered as two > very different conditions. I met with Dr. Natale, he is a gentle > spirit and most definitely capable. The question is not fiscal > solvency, but the seemingly circus acts that resemble used car > dealerships, whereby hospitals present less than the full picture for > the purpose of attracting business. ******* But, Tom, didn't you talk to Dr. Natale about your concerns when you went to see him, and try to pin him down about his answers? What did he say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 > > - > > Take it on yourself to get the instructions. Also, CC just built a > hotel as part of the hospital, you may want to check into staying there > to have the convienence and to eliminate any potential of getting lost > amongst all the construction and to avoid possibly geting lost in some > not so nice areas. > > Tom U ...................... Tom, mine is being done at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI...Monday. It's only 20 to 30 minutes from my home depending on traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 P - > > Your stat is most interesting. Is that 70% with touch up or first > round? That % is more in line with the whitepaper out of Japan a few > months back. Did you have AF before bypass? If so, then why didn't > they -Maze you while they had you opened up? Tom U ........................ Tom, The 70% was with the first procedure. And no I didn't have afib before my surgeries but developed it days afterwards while in recovery. As I understand it going into afib after heart bypass surgery is common. I didn't develop persistent/chronic afib until 8 years after my second bypass. God forbid I have to have another bypass but if it comes to that I'll make sure they do a maze while inside the chest cavity. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 > > - > > I will be keeping you in good thoughts. I am in your corner Mr. > > Tom U ..................... 7 come 11 on Monday Tom...maybe I'll be in that lucky 70%. Thanks, P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 > > > > > I have tracked your progress more than almost any other person here > > with great interest for you have undergone what I will soon be facing. > > > > Best Regards, > > > > Tom U > ................................. > Tom, when you do face what has undergone who will be doing the > procedure? > > P - Dr. Andre Natale, Cleveland Clinic. Now if I can find a way to go under an alias and avoid a hoard of relatives that are going to want to turn this into their version of entertainment tonight. I will send you my tele off line if you feel a need to talk. Tom U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 In a message dated 7/10/05 8:48:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time, tom_ubl@... writes: > As you are aware he is very busy plus while he has a good grasp of > english he is not completely fluent, which makes one wonder if he is > understanding what you are trying to convey. I think this is a gross misstatement of Dr. Natale, his knowledge, his grasp of English, and his manner. Yes, he is very busy, and when I saw him, I spent over an hour with Salwa and him, and there was no rush. His grasp of English is superior -- in fact, after 3 other EPs could not, he was able to describe to me in detail the damage done to my heart by the botched SVT ablation, so I'd say not only is that a good grasp of English, but an outstanding ability to translate highly technical medical information to a lay person. Not only that, Dr. Natale has e-mailed me personally, answered a medication question (since I don't have an EP), and has been wonderful. Others on this list who have also met Dr. Natale might also want to speak to this misperception you seem to have of him. Toni CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 In a message dated 7/10/05 4:25:38 PM Pacific Daylight Time, susanr20z03@... writes: > Toni, the CCF has various programs for people who don't have medical > insurance or people whose insurance doesn't cover the CC. You might > want to look into those programs, if you are still considering having > a procedure done. > Thanks for the agreement, . I find Dr. Natale's grasp of English is probably better than mine, and I'm a professional writer! And no, I didn't know the CCF had programs ... how would I find out about it? This would be good news indeed. Toni CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 > - > As you are aware he is very busy plus while he has a good grasp of > english he is not completely fluent, which makes one wonder if he is > understanding what you are trying to convey. My questions were > minimal at the time because I trusted the CC web site to be complete > and accurate, which it is not complete it does not post cure rate > stats for persistent AF or validate the cure rate posted applies to > both persistent or paroxysmal. In addition, much of my AF education > has been realized after my meeting with Dr. Natale. Mos tof my time > was spent with his nurse. > > Tom U ***** Okay, Tom, now I understand. You can't get your questions answered by the web site. You have to ask them of the doctor face to face. Dr. Natale has a very charming Italian accent, but I never felt that he didn't understand what I was telling him. Of course he is busy, but when I went for my consult, he spent a great deal of time with me, answering my questions, to my satisfaction. Maybe you might like to call him before your procedure in September, and ask the questions that you have. The nurses, by the way, are top notch. Best of luck to you , Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 > I think this is a gross misstatement of Dr. Natale, his knowledge, his grasp > of English, and his manner. Yes, he is very busy, and when I saw him, I spent > over an hour with Salwa and him, and there was no rush. His grasp of English > is superior -- in fact, after 3 other EPs could not, he was able to describe > to me in detail the damage done to my heart by the botched SVT ablation, so > I'd say not only is that a good grasp of English, but an outstanding ability to > translate highly technical medical information to a lay person. Not only > that, Dr. Natale has e-mailed me personally, answered a medication question (since > I don't have an EP), and has been wonderful. Others on this list who have > also met Dr. Natale might also want to speak to this misperception you seem to > have of him. **** Toni, I absolutely agree with everything you wrote. Having had a successful ablation by him, and most recently a follow-up appointment, I could not be happier with Dr. Natale. He is very warm and down to earth, and most humble. Toni, the CCF has various programs for people who don't have medical insurance or people whose insurance doesn't cover the CC. You might want to look into those programs, if you are still considering having a procedure done. Best wishes, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 >> Toni, > I absolutely agree with everything you wrote. Having had a successful > ablation by him, and most recently a follow-up appointment, I could > not be happier with Dr. Natale. He is very warm and down to earth, > and most humble. > Best wishes, > .............. I also agree. I had a consult with him and felt like I could have gone out and had a beer with him. If he could have taken me immediately I would be in Cleveland right now. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 And no, I didn't know the CCF had programs ... how would I find out about it? This would be good news indeed. ******* Toni, Go to www.clevelandclinic.org and click on the link to " Understanding your bill " . You can download their Guide which gives some information on the various programs. For more information, you can call the Patient Financial Services Department toll-free at . Don't know whether this will help, but its worth a shot. Let me know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 ... thanks so much. I'll do that for sure. Toni CA Re: I'M Back And no, I didn't know the CCF had programs ... how would I find out about it? This would be good news indeed. ******* Toni, Go to www.clevelandclinic.org and click on the link to " Understanding your bill " . You can download their Guide which gives some information on the various programs. For more information, you can call the Patient Financial Services Department toll-free at . Don't know whether this will help, but its worth a shot. Let me know how it goes. Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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