Posted by Carl Plaskett on November 24, 2001 at 10:26:13:
I have had thoughts similar to Anders: With all of us happy, cured, (or at least, better off) mazers out here, it seems as though we represent a wealth of information for doctors who may not recognize the benefits of the maze (or the debillitating effects of Afib), as well as inspiration to those courageous enough to have suggested or recommended it to their patients.
I doubt that many EPs know how many of us exist, and have been content to know that they have helped some of their own patients.
Now, how do we get doctors to want to hear or read antecdotal reports from lay persons? We probably will have little success until someone decides that a formal study, underwritten by either a benevolent soul or some government agency, of the success of various treatments for Afib. Or, perhaps an organization such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons might like to publicise maze successes.
I would really enjoy meeting as many mazers as possible, since I feel that many of them have had abrupt turnarounds in their lives, like myself, and have gone from being despondent & negative to positive so quickly, that they, and others find them to be different people. I would love to get around all these positive people!
How about a poll of how many people who would be willing to travel SOMEWHERE, just for such a get-together. Then, if we have enough people committed to getting together, we might get the interest from a group such as the Thoracic Surgeons to have us meet whereever they are having a meeting (which I'm sure won't be in some dull place).
By posting on some other Afib boards, we might even encourage some of "Those Thinking About It" (or, more likely, "Those Who Have Never Heard About the Maze") to visit to see some live examples of "new" people.
Perhaps John (as though he hasn't done enough) could figure out a way to have people post via a "link" on this site as to whether or not they would be willing to travel for such a meeting. If a "link" cannot be set up, which would appear at the top of the page, then I would be happy to have a message posted every day(since "View Today's Messages" resets every day) for a few weeks, asking those interested to send me an email.
If there was ever a time we all could travel and stay someplace CHEEP, now (or relatively soon) is the time.
What we really need, is another celebrity like Bill Bradley, to have Afib enough that it makes the news, then have the Maze Poster-Boy, Ed, who is off running in the mountains of Patagonia, to get on something like the Today Show or Oprah (along with one of the great maze surgeons)to really show what the maze can do for someone's life. That kind of exposure could change so many lives, so quickly.
Write me if an of you are interested in some kind of a meeting, or John, while you are not jet skiing, dirt biking, snowmobiling, skiing, and generally enjoying your new life, let us know if a "link" can be created.
Any other "ideas" out there?
- Re: Maze Alumni/Physician/Surgeon meeting? Angie 15:22:12 11/26/2001 (0)
- Re: Maze Alumni/Physician/Surgeon meeting? SuLynn Mester 23:19:23 11/24/2001 (0)
- Since winter is here, a ski holiday???? John Behle 12:46:56 11/24/2001 (0)