Re: Thanks for the Photos- Debbie

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

I bet you will be very happy you have 3 good opinions as you gather

all the information necessary to make a decision about this big

surgery. I would recommend you start making a list of questions so

that when you go to each doctor you can follow the same " playlist " .

That will make it easier to compare " apples and apples " , if you know

what I mean.

I also recommend you bring someone else into the exam room so that

they can also hear what the doctor is saying. There is so much

information thrown at you that, remarkably, you will both hear and

focus on different things. Then, if possible, try to allow a few

minutes in the hospital coffee shop or parking lot and write down the

answers as you can reconstruct them together. Short term memory is a

funny thing, and the longer you wait to do this the harder it might

be to remember the nuances of the doctors words. And of course it

will help if it is a family member hearing this too since they will

need to come up to speed to support you during this time period. Some

people ask the doctor if they mind having a recording made and bring

something to do so if permitted.

There is a file which I created on the site from my doctor visits.

The questions may not apply to you....but you will get an idea of how

in depth I felt I needed to go. You may feel differently, but it

might start your wheels turning.

You can also make notes on the whole " tone " of the office. Were you

rushed? Did everyone seem helpful? Was the waiting room packed and/or

did the doctor run excessively late? Any office can have a bad day,

but since you will probably have several contacts with a surgeons

office before you decide, it is worth noting what you think it will

be like dealing with everyone. Remember: for the first 6 weeks after

you are home when you are not feeling great, whoever is

the " gatekeeper " for your surgeon will be someone who you will

probably develop a very close relationship with too! If possible be

sure to ask which hospital the surgeon will do surgery at. It may be

one more " tie-breaker " as you decide. Insurance may cover differently

at different hospitals and you may have different circumstances as a

patient at a teaching hospital, a large city hospital and a private

one. You can also check out hospital ratings on our site if you want

from the link to the U.S.News & World reports rankings for the U.S..

I will put your appt's on the calendar so we remember to ask how

things are going. We are sorry you are on this journey with us...but

we are here for you along the way.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam, I printed out your questions and I will certainly use them. I

usually forget everything I want to ask the Dr. once I am in his

office so I will use them for my guide. My husband will be taking me

to all my appts. so I plan to make him remember everything I can't.

It is so great to get feedback from someone that has already been

through this and is familiar with what to expect.

I am still at the point of denial and keep thinking I will get to the

doctor and he will say he can't help me.

Debbie J

>

> Debbie,

>

> I bet you will be very happy you have 3 good opinions as you gather

> all the information necessary to make a decision about this big

> surgery. I would recommend you start making a list of questions so

> that when you go to each doctor you can follow the same " playlist " .

> That will make it easier to compare " apples and apples " , if you

know

> what I mean.

>

> I also recommend you bring someone else into the exam room so that

> they can also hear what the doctor is saying. There is so much

> information thrown at you that, remarkably, you will both hear and

> focus on different things. Then, if possible, try to allow a few

> minutes in the hospital coffee shop or parking lot and write down

the

> answers as you can reconstruct them together. Short term memory is

a

> funny thing, and the longer you wait to do this the harder it might

> be to remember the nuances of the doctors words. And of course it

> will help if it is a family member hearing this too since they will

> need to come up to speed to support you during this time period.

Some

> people ask the doctor if they mind having a recording made and

bring

> something to do so if permitted.

>

> There is a file which I created on the site from my doctor visits.

> The questions may not apply to you....but you will get an idea of

how

> in depth I felt I needed to go. You may feel differently, but it

> might start your wheels turning.

>

> You can also make notes on the whole " tone " of the office. Were you

> rushed? Did everyone seem helpful? Was the waiting room packed

and/or

> did the doctor run excessively late? Any office can have a bad day,

> but since you will probably have several contacts with a surgeons

> office before you decide, it is worth noting what you think it will

> be like dealing with everyone. Remember: for the first 6 weeks

after

> you are home when you are not feeling great, whoever is

> the " gatekeeper " for your surgeon will be someone who you will

> probably develop a very close relationship with too! If possible be

> sure to ask which hospital the surgeon will do surgery at. It may

be

> one more " tie-breaker " as you decide. Insurance may cover

differently

> at different hospitals and you may have different circumstances as

a

> patient at a teaching hospital, a large city hospital and a private

> one. You can also check out hospital ratings on our site if you

want

> from the link to the U.S.News & World reports rankings for the U.S..

>

> I will put your appt's on the calendar so we remember to ask how

> things are going. We are sorry you are on this journey with

us...but

> we are here for you along the way.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>