my status

June 3, 2004

Mark, sorry to hear that you're a confirmed Achalasian, but glad that you

FINALLY have a firm answer and an action plan!

Glad to hear that was good to you.... she and Amy are both really

sweet ladies, well-suited for the job, in my opinion.

Keep us posted on your schedule!

Debbi in MI

PS -- did you see Dr. Richter, Dr. Vaezi, Dr. Achkar, or someone else?

What was your impression of your GI doc? And of Dr. Rice?

>

> Hi all,

>

> Just returned from The Cleveland Clinic after 2 days

> of fun.

>

> Got through the manometry (performed by ), not

> bad at all. I highly recommend her to administer the

> test at TCC. Only took 30 minutes.

>

> The results of the manometry and the barium swallow

> confirmed what I've suspected for the last 8 years:

> Achalasia to the 10th power, no contraction exists in

> my esophagus and an LES thats always stressed out.

>

> Spent time with Dr. Rice who will be performing the

> Lap with a Wrap. Working out the schedule soon,

> looking forward to being able to enjoy a meal for a

> change.

>

> Will keep you posted.

>

June 3, 2004

Hello bullscreek@...,

In reference to your comment:

Got through the manometry (performed by ), notbad at all. I highly recommend her to administer thetest at TCC. Only took 30 minutes.

Mark, I am so glad to know that you finally got a diagnosis

and to hear a story about the manometry that is not horror.

There are those out there that can perform this test without

making us suffer so much. Maybe more techs will be trained

to do it better and in a year from now we will not have to

talk about how bad it is. We can always hope, huh?

Glad you are getting a surgery date set.

Maggie

June 3, 2004

Debbi,

Since Dr. Richter was the GI doc who ordered the

tests, I had to meet with him once again. In the

future, I will be seeing Dr. Vaezi.

I really like Dr. Rice, he spent alot of time with me

and my spouse going over the procedure.

My only complaint with TCC is that I'm unable to

schedule surgery out past 8 weeks. That creates a

problem with running my business and scheduling my

clients.

--- Debbi Heiser <heiser@...> wrote:

>

> Mark, sorry to hear that you're a confirmed

> Achalasian, but glad that you

> FINALLY have a firm answer and an action plan!

>

> Glad to hear that was good to you.... she

> and Amy are both really

> sweet ladies, well-suited for the job, in my

> opinion.

>

> Keep us posted on your schedule!

>

> Debbi in MI

>

> PS -- did you see Dr. Richter, Dr. Vaezi, Dr.

> Achkar, or someone else?

> What was your impression of your GI doc? And of Dr.

> Rice?

>

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Just returned from The Cleveland Clinic after 2

> days

> > of fun.

> >

> > Got through the manometry (performed by ),

> not

> > bad at all. I highly recommend her to administer

> the

> > test at TCC. Only took 30 minutes.

> >

> > The results of the manometry and the barium

> swallow

> > confirmed what I've suspected for the last 8

> years:

> > Achalasia to the 10th power, no contraction exists

> in

> > my esophagus and an LES thats always stressed out.

> >

> > Spent time with Dr. Rice who will be performing

> the

> > Lap with a Wrap. Working out the schedule soon,

> > looking forward to being able to enjoy a meal for

> a

> > change.

> >

> > Will keep you posted.

> >

>

=====

Mark Dodson

Miami Quality Services

2760 Washington Road

Covington, Ohio 45318

937-620-9625 mobile

937-335-4532 fax

bullscreek@...

June 3, 2004

Mark,

If you don't mind me asking: I am wondering after your first visit to TCC, (Dr. Richter) how long did you have to wait for the manonmetry tests?

I have my first appt. with Dr. Vaezi on 6/16, and I am really starting to get stressed out about this whole thing.

I've never been up to Cleveland, is it difficult to find your way around ?

Hope you don't mind me asking these things.

Thanks in advance.

Jan in Northern KY

(Covington,KY, to be precise!)

Oh, and since everyone has been chatting up baseball teams,

GO CINCINNATI REDS!

June 4, 2004

That's great news Mark! I meet Dr. Rice when Deb and I went out to

Cleveland for the symposium. He was very nice! I'm glad you're finally

on your way to finding some relief!

Wish you all the Best!

Sandi in No CA

My status

Hi all,

Just returned from The Cleveland Clinic after 2 days

of fun.

Got through the manometry (performed by ), not

bad at all. I highly recommend her to administer the

test at TCC. Only took 30 minutes.

The results of the manometry and the barium swallow

confirmed what I've suspected for the last 8 years:

Achalasia to the 10th power, no contraction exists in

my esophagus and an LES thats always stressed out.

Spent time with Dr. Rice who will be performing the

Lap with a Wrap. Working out the schedule soon,

looking forward to being able to enjoy a meal for a

change.

Will keep you posted.

June 4, 2004

Jan,

They don't mess around, the testing was to be

performed initially when I first met Dr. Richter back

in April. It was me who delayed due to business

committments.

You should plan on staying an extra day to allow time

for the required testing.

The facility is easy to find, 71N from Columbus to 90E

in Cleveland. Take the Carnegie Avenue exit to E100

St (parking garage.

If you stay over, don't miss the Rock & Roll Hall of

Fame (open late Wednesday nights).

Don't get stressed out, if they do manometry, be sure

to ask for .

--- JMB000001@... wrote:

> Mark,

> If you don't mind me asking: I am wondering after

> your first visit to TCC,

> (Dr. Richter) how long did you have to wait for the

> manonmetry tests?

> I have my first appt. with Dr. Vaezi on 6/16, and I

> am really starting to

> get stressed out about this whole thing.

> I've never been up to Cleveland, is it difficult to

> find your way around ?

> Hope you don't mind me asking these things.

> Thanks in advance.

> Jan in Northern KY

> (Covington,KY, to be precise!)

> Oh, and since everyone has been chatting up

> baseball teams,

> GO CINCINNATI REDS!

>

=====

Mark Dodson

Miami Quality Services

2760 Washington Road

Covington, Ohio 45318

937-620-9625 mobile

937-335-4532 fax

bullscreek@...

June 4, 2004

Jan, when you're coming in from out of town, they go ahead and do ALL your tests and appts all at the same time. I made a point of not eating breakfast the day of my appt so that they could start testing immediately. )

Bring a book, b/c they have to work you into the various schedules (depending on what they're going to do) for each dept: manometry, endoscopy, radiology, etc. But basically if you get a morning appt for your first consult with the GI and don't eat breakfast, you can usually have all your tests AND your consult with the surgeon (if needed) and still be on your way home before the end of the second day.

Bring a book, though, b/c you may have to wait for a few hours between tests, and it's not quite enough to make it worth your while to go back to the hotel, but it's too long to sit and twiddle your thumbs, too! )

Euclid is a main road that goes all the way into downtown, so it's very easy to navigate. TCC is almost like a small college campus -- it fills several city blocks with various buildings/departments, they have shuttle buses that will take you from one to the other if needed, and many of the buildings are connected by walkways so you don't even have to go outside or cross streets, etc.

You also need to make POSITIVE SURE that your records are there and in Dr. Vaezi's office before you go, or else bring them with you yourself. I was driving on the toll road haranguing (via cell phone) the records dept. at the University of Michigan Medical Center b/c they STILL hadn't sent my records after TWO written requests over two months' time!

Don't worry -- everyone at TCC is very helpful about getting you scheduled and getting you from point A to point B. If you don't know where you're going, just ask and anyone would be happy to help!Debbi in Michigan

Mark,

If you don't mind me asking: I am wondering after your first visit to TCC, (Dr. Richter) how long did you have to wait for the manonmetry tests?

I have my first appt. with Dr. Vaezi on 6/16, and I am really starting to get stressed out about this whole thing.

I've never been up to Cleveland, is it difficult to find your way around ?

Hope you don't mind me asking these things.

Thanks in advance.

Jan in Northern KY

(Covington,KY, to be precise!)

Oh, and since everyone has been chatting up baseball teams,

GO CINCINNATI REDS!

June 4, 2004

In a message dated 6/4/2004 9:45:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time, bullscreek@... writes:

Jan,They don't mess around, the testing was to beperformed initially when I first met Dr. Richter backin April. It was me who delayed due to businesscommittments.

Mark,

Thanks for the info!

I am initially glad that this may be taken care of quickly, but also very stressed and nervous beyond belief. Maybe it's just the bad day I've had. But mostly I'm glad to hear that I may not have to wait months to get some answers.

I will be thinking about you too and hope your surgery comes up soon to give you relief.

This dysphagia is no way to live.

Jan in Northern KY

June 4, 2004

In a message dated 6/4/2004 10:10:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, heiser@... writes:

Jan, when you're coming in from out of town, they go ahead and do ALL your tests and appts all at the same time. I made a point of not eating breakfast the day of my appt so that they could start testing immediately. )

Bring a book, b/c they have to work you into the various schedules (depending on what they're going to do) for each dept: manometry, endoscopy, radiology, etc. But basically if you get a morning appt for your first consult with the GI and don't eat breakfast, you can usually have all your tests AND your consult with the surgeon (if needed) and still be on your way home before the end of the second day.

Bring a book, though, b/c you may have to wait for a few hours between tests, and it's not quite enough to make it worth your while to go back to the hotel, but it's too long to sit and twiddle your thumbs, too! )

Euclid is a main road that goes all the way into downtown, so it's very easy to navigate. TCC is almost like a small college campus -- it fills several city blocks with various buildings/departments, they have shuttle buses that will take you from one to the other if needed, and many of the buildings are connected by walkways so you don't even have to go outside or cross streets, etc.

You also need to make POSITIVE SURE that your records are there and in Dr. Vaezi's office before you go, or else bring them with you yourself. I was driving on the toll road haranguing (via cell phone) the records dept. at the University of Michigan Medical Center b/c they STILL hadn't sent my records after TWO written requests over two months' time!

Don't worry -- everyone at TCC is very helpful about getting you scheduled and getting you from point A to point B. If you don't know where you're going, just ask and anyone would be happy to help!Debbi in Michigan

Debbi,

Since I have a 1:30 appt. to see Dr. Vaezi, do you think I will needing to stay overnight and need to book a hotel?

Can I play it by ear and get a room that afternoon if needed?

Sorry to have so many questions, but gosh, if any tests are needed, I will gladly stay whatever time is needed to get them done.

I give lots of my time and talent to the disabled adults I work with, and have gone the distance with them, so I think that a couple days off to see to my health is time well earned.

I am getting so nervous.

I am just having a bad day, but this defect of mine not to be "normal" tries my soul to the core.

Thanks,

Jan from Northern KY

June 7, 2004

Thanks for the status report, Mark -- I'm glad that you liked Dr. Rice, and I'm sure you'll like Dr. Vaezi as well, once you start seeing him.

Sandi and I both thought that Rice and Vaezi were VERY personable doctors. I've had more than my fair share of stupid and/or supercilious docs in the past, so I tend to judge medical professionals rather harshly based on past experiences, but I thought both of them passed the "Debbi test" with flying colors. )

Debbi in Michigan

PS -- it's ironic how some of the group is having to wait an inordinate length of time to have the surgery, but your only complaint is that you can't schedule your surgery FAR ENOUGH in the future! But I completely understand your concerns in that regard -- I have a job where I'm the only person in the whole company who can do 98% of my job function, so time off has to be scheduled around billing cycles, etc. Plus my husband's job requires him to travel all over the place on a moment's notice, and we have no family locally to help me care for my son, so whenever I do get around to having surgery, it will require some MAJOR scheduling/planning around all the different factors! I hope you are able to figure something out fairly soon!

Debbi,Since Dr. Richter was the GI doc who ordered thetests, I had to meet with him once again. In thefuture, I will be seeing Dr. Vaezi.I really like Dr. Rice, he spent alot of time with meand my spouse going over the procedure.My only complaint with TCC is that I'm unable toschedule surgery out past 8 weeks. That creates aproblem with running my business and scheduling myclients. > Mark, sorry to hear that you're a confirmed> Achalasian, but glad that you> FINALLY have a firm answer and an action plan!> > Glad to hear that was good to you.... she> and Amy are both really> sweet ladies, well-suited for the job, in my> opinion.> > Keep us posted on your schedule!> > Debbi in MI> > PS -- did you see Dr. Richter, Dr. Vaezi, Dr.> Achkar, or someone else? > What was your impression of your GI doc? And of Dr.> Rice?> > > >> > Hi all,> >> > Just returned from The Cleveland Clinic after 2> days> > of fun.> >> > Got through the manometry (performed by ),> not> > bad at all. I highly recommend her to administer> the> > test at TCC. Only took 30 minutes.> >> > The results of the manometry and the barium> swallow> > confirmed what I've suspected for the last 8> years:> > Achalasia to the 10th power, no contraction exists> in> > my esophagus and an LES thats always stressed out.> >> > Spent time with Dr. Rice who will be performing> the> > Lap with a Wrap. Working out the schedule soon,> > looking forward to being able to enjoy a meal for> a> > change.> >> > Will keep you posted.> >> >> =====Mark DodsonMiami Quality Services2760 Washington RoadCovington, Ohio 45318937-620-9625 mobile937-335-4532 faxbullscreek@...

November 19, 2005

In a message dated 11/19/2005 12:37:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

eric_s11050@... writes:

as some of you may not be aware I have severe severe neuro lyme..

all due to doctor negligence and stupid docs...well that was in the

past so at that time i was forced to work and raise my family with

full blown lyme many times over the years..I remeber after the 13

years of having lyme that I thought that wow I dont feel tingling

anymore what ever I had the body must have fought...I was wrong...

within a week my sister died at 34 years old and that night I had

103 fever and after a week I hed problems with severe muscle

twitching like als and easy bruising..there were so many problems

that i was never going to get diagnosed..they were very wiered neuro

complaints as well as psycological...after the fever I could not

feel emotions and could not turn my head in any position but up..or

vertigo...I now know that my doctor who was an infectious disease

doctor had no clue about lyme disease and treatment.. it was known I

had lyme and documented.. thank god for the internet or I would not

be alive as I thought this was the end.

2 years later after acute infection I aM SLOWLY getting better and

have made great strides..antibiotics are the only thing that worked

and mino and doxy were the best over rocephin...but I believe that

my body day by day is repairing the immence damage from lyme...I

still have a dialated pupil and neuro stuff but I can work and do

the things I need to do..so I think that most of us will be cured

and the damaged repaired over a long time..

by the way when you have severe neuro lyme your emotions dont react

to fright in the old way and it is kind of like nothing bothers you

so it hampers getting diagnosed..thank god for antibiotics!!!

we are truly lucky...

eric

Dear ..Thank you so much for sharing your story with us ! WOW ..you

really have had it rough though you still sound quite positive. My lyme disease

also started with SEVERE VERTIGO and came on after a VERY STRESSFUL time in

my life, which I am sure with your sister dying was very stressful for you.

YOU are really a person that I can listen to and read your post with respect.

You never whine or complain yet you have lost so very much. The emotional part

or lack thereof usually comes from frontal lobe disorders in the brain. That

may have happened to you because of the severely high fever. Many of our

body parts including our brains have the ability to repair themselves...slowly

as I am certain that you know. I pray that you will get back to your old self

again with the help of your treatment whatever it may be. Thank you so very

much for being an inspiration to me. I hope you have a nice weekend ....take

care and again THANK YOU ....you make me feel grateful that I have the use of

function that I have and also you make me feel grateful that this message

board is provided for all of us to see that we all need to take one day at a

time, learn as much as we can and keep plugging along with this disease looking

not only at the bad things that are happening to our bodies but also the

good. I guess BABY STEPS is how I need to look at my recovery.

Kat ;-)

November 19, 2005