the better the doc, the easiser to think he is god and the more likely he is
to be put in his place, but, the less likewly that someone will do it. too
bad. he desperatly needs it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen Salkin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 10:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Need to vent-- ITB, Pain, etc.


When I had my surgery back in September, I was v. happy with my
neurosurgeon, but in the follow-up visits to his office, I got upset with
his staff.  Three times out of four visits, I was kept waiting for very long
times.  One time, my appointment was for 7pm, and when I got there (on
time), there were patients who'd been waiting since 4pm that afternoon! On
my last visit, I didn't see him at all; my appointment was for 1:30 and I
waited until 3, by then which I demanded to see one his associates.  They
said fine, and I saw one within 5 minutes.  The surgeon himself is one of
the busiest in the area, but he's also the best, so I suppose people put up
with a lot to have him as their surgeon.  And I must say, he did a great job
with my surgery, it's just his bedside manner that needs working on.

On the other hand, my neurologist is very considerate and I've never been
kept waiting above ten minutes at his office.  He always asks for a detailed
narrative, taking the time to listen to what you have to say, and doesn't
rush you.  As you probably can tell, I really like him.

Kat


"St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> many doctors get the idea that they are God. every once in a while they
get
a person who will let them know they are not. jenn's doc needs this very
much to be put in his place.

-----Original Message-----
From: Betty B [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 9:37 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Need to vent-- ITB, Pain, etc.


Hey Jenn,

I'll say a few prayers for you, certainly.

The wife of a neurologist once told me that neurologists in general were not
known for their bedside manners.  I hope she didn't mean that about her own
husband, and his manners at home ;-)

I'm both apalled and thankful.  I'm appaled that you have been treated so
badly, and thankful that my own neurologist doesn't treat his patients like
that.  I don't know what to say.

Your doctor sounds like a jerk.  I know you can't tell him that to his face,
but I'll bet you'd like to.   Sorry Jenn.






> Hi Everyone,
>
> Sorry, but I need to vent. I sent what I considered was a nice, rather
> diplomatic e-mail to the neurologist who did my intrathecal baclofen trial
> today, asking (what I thought was politely), if he could speak with the
> neurosurgeon to see if my surgerry might be done sometime this month,
> while I am still at home, so I don't have to live the rest of my semester
> in pain, half doped up on morphine, clonazepam, and oxazazepam. I got a
> very icy reply back saying that he would not "harrass  Dr. Parrent"
> (neurosurgeon), regarding my pump placement,  and basically not to e-mail
> the neurologist anymore because if all of his patients e-mailed him as
> much as I did (three times this weekend to correct a mistake that he made
> regarding an EMG the neurologiust swore he had not ordered for me when he
> really did order the test), he would not get any work done. From my point
> of view, I a, just asking questions that SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANSWERED AND
> WERE NOT DUE TO THE PHYSICIANS LACK OF TIME, THE NEUROSURGEON BEING IN THE
> OPERATING ROOM THE WHOLE DAY OF MY TESTING, ETC. The fact remains that
> because I attend school in Ottawa, I can't have surgery whenever my name
> (oh sorry NUMBER, BECAUSE THATS WHAT I AM FEELING LIKE) COMES UP ON THEIR
> PRETTTY, PERFECT LITTLE LIST. I am in so much pain, and I CAN'T HANDLE HOW
> TIRED  THE ORAL MEDS MAKE ME, EVEN THOUGH THEY HELP. I had really hoped
> that these people would be more compassionate, but apparently, they ARE
> NOT. I don't know what to do... I can't handle this anymore, and just
> wanted so much for things to go my way for once... The surgery takes only
> 1 and a half hours out of their lives, and can improve mine so much...
> Can't anybody see that? I am just so tired of suffering, and being told my
> surgery isn't important because it is not anything life threatening. I
> can't handle this. I had wanted to be a physician for awhile, but don't
> think I have the heart to see people as numbers.
>
> Does anyone have advice of things to read or do? I am beside myself with
> pain, both physical and emotional at the moment.
>
> Please say a few prayers for me. I need them.
> Jenn
>