Follow up was a disaster!

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Posted by Sarah on February 17, 2003 at 01:46:09:

OK, someone said I should re-write my long posting that I lost …so here goes.

My concern was coming from several postings over the recent months about lack of follow up care, after going to CC.

I’ve just been through this by having my spinal surgery at Cleveland Clinic, and asking a local doc here (AR.) to take out the stitches, and do follow up for the neurosurgeon from CC. His nurse said he said “Yes”. It’s been a disaster!! I wish the local NS had been honest, and said “no I don’t want to do the follow up after another surgeons operation”. I didn’t need any special care, and the last six weeks went well. I never had to even call, so there was no reason for the snotty attitude I got on the two appointments I had!

I am naturally curious, and always have a short list of questions. Every time I asked him to explain what something meant, or to show me on a model, what vertebral part was cut out, he’d say “ask your surgeon who did your surgery”, or “did I recommend you go off and have surgery while I was on vacation?”. I fought back tears on both visits. (which made me mad…)

You get the picture…… When I asked for a Rx for PT, he wouldn’t give it to me.

I called CC to ask the NS there, what protocol he had for exercise and PT post six weeks, or any contraindications…..the nurse said he didn’t have any!!!! The post op… up to six weeks, had very strict instructions, so I expected some transition period with activities, before going back to “normal”.

When I originally wrote, I was worried about Pati, because I didn’t feel we had much support back here in AR, the EP, wasn’t happy about her Maze, or my going to CC for PVI ablation. I suggested we be sure to talk to someone about follow up care, or get a Cardio doc. Our EP is unbelievably busy!

Since I was worried, I have already called and gotten an apt. with a Cardiologist (4 months out) in hopes that I’d have someone to lean on in May, after the CC ablation……but I’m not sure how helpful that will be since the awful experience with the NS follow up.

This has made me nervous about follow up on Schweikert’s procedure. But…I’m afraid I might need someone, like Pati has just demonstrated!

However, Pati has had very nice, warm support from our EP doc here during her scary post Maze, ordeal this last week.

You go all the way to Ohio to get “the best” Atrial fib treatment possible, and (like Dr. Cox said) you’re like a ship at sea, set out to fend for yourself. It’s the choice between the Devil and the deep blue sea for sure. I guess I can’t see how to prepare. Is there another choice?

I’ve heard some of you say that the Cardiologist follow up at home was a waste of time. Are you braver than me? What do you think?

Still having break through arrhythmias with Rythmol, and trying to decide what makes me just suddenly loose my balance, and simply “fall over”, briefly dizzy. I feel so foolish because it comes out of nowhere, and is gone just as fast. The NS said it couldn’t have anything to do with my back surgery.

That was it…mostly venting and trying to organize everyone, and everything, so I won’t worry…..and it seems impossible.

Sarah


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