Everyday is a winding road...

faithmd · May 10, 2007

I had my pre-admission testing yesterday and was soooo fortunate I took my EKG's and my chest x-ray result (which though it was from August, they said ok) with me as I was able to avoid the EKG and another dose of radiation. I had about seven vials of blood drawn (they test for a ton at Hurley!) and waited a looooong time for the doctor. I was the last patient of the day at 2:30pm and I left there at 6:15pm. I slept on the exam table in a johnny (hospital gown) for about 40 minutes waiting, then I did some sudoku and watched the news...I hadn't been to sleep yet (I work nights) from the day before and as I was getting ready to peek out and ask them to hurry it up a bit, in came the Dr.

The internist they use for pre-admission testing is quite a dynamic man (Dr. Aram Minasian) I had looked up reviews of him and found they were mixed, some folks loved him, some thought he was too quick and abrupt and kind of mean to them. I found him to be VERY educated and very nice. I though he was thorough in his discussion with me about weight loss and his theories about it (pretty solid stuff, doesn't berate you for eating, says it's a natural thing to want to do and we can't shut it off so why try, just chose different things to put in your mouth). I was told I'd get a very thorough exam (the nurse told me to take off everything but my panties and put on the gown, that he checks under your breasts to see if you already have rashes in your skin folds, etc.) but he didn't. He did however find my mitral valve regurg IMMEDIATELY. He was using a REALLY nice amplified cardiac stethoscope and within a couple of seconds he asked me if I had ever been told I had regurg. And then he went on to tell me about some other things he was hearing. Pretty cool stuff.

Today I went back up to Flint for my nutrition class. Whew! I didn't learn anything new in the nursing class about what to expect (other than that I'll supposedly be getting heparin shots-no I won't), but the nutitionist was fantastic. Motivational and interesting and had some great ideas. She also knew the science behind what she was preaching to us and could explain it well. All in all a pretty good day.

And I got a free bag out of the deal.

faithmd · May 10, 2007

I just wanted to add that I meant he didn't check my skin folds, but the rest of the exam was pretty thorough, I hadn't had my PCP check my cranial nerves since I don't know when, but he did. He also checked my legs and declared I have swelling and lymphedema. I pointed out that I had been on them for about 30 hours by then and he just sort of nodded.

Fascinating guy. He also decided that with my MVR I'll be getting triple antibiotic coverage the day of my surgery. Spot on, I like him!

losingjusme · May 11, 2007

Faith,

that is wonderful! Congratulations!!

faithmd · May 23, 2007

Well my winding road continues to grow a few curves (as I continue to lose them).

I am no longer being banded May 31st...

I have been rescheduled for June 20th. I want the AP band and my doctor's office is reluctant to get the go ahead for an early release band (even though I did the legwork). Which I suppose I understand to a degree, but who wouldn't appreciate the learning opportunity to place it on a patient who is very willing to be the first to get the AP band in that practice? While it isn't completely different, there is a learning curve to placing it that's a bit different from the standard Allergan bands.

In any case, the manager doesn't feel comfortable without getting the Allergan rep, the surgeon and herself all in the same room to pow wow about it. And that won't be until after they go to the ASBS conference in San Diego June 11-17th. They should learn lots more about the AP and perhaps some about how to place it at that conference, at the close of the conference is when the AP will be released to the US market.

So here I sit and wait again...........