ENCOUNTERS WITH HEALTHCARE Entry One

Traveling in to Cleveland from Olmsted Falls  30 minutes

Surgical Building...
Visits and Special Treatment
Surgery not done here.

Today is December 29, 2010.  It is a better day.  The everything seems to be better. It has been a very bad Christmas, for a lot of reasons.  The thing for me was trying to keep myself physically and psychologically up and moving, when I was dealing with having been told some problematic news.  I complained to my primary care physician that I had vague abdominal pain.  They did a CAT scan and found something where my appendix usually resides.  That meant a consult with a surgeon.  Of course, the report, which was available to me online, impression  .DIFFUSELY DILATED APPENDIX, THIS IS MOST LIKELY MUCOCELE OF THE APPENDIX  THOUGH APPENDICEAL CARCINOMA CANNOT BE EXCLUDED.   I, like most others, reacted to that diagnosis. Surgery is always the answer. I will state the bottom line first. The danger is in having it pop, and that means something that is very difficult to treat. Does make sense. Spewing who knows what all inside the abdomen.

Today I decided to publish my progress.  I wanted to chronicle my feelings and observations and share them with you.
 I will label the entries,  ENCOUNTERS WITH HEALTH CARE, so those of you who want to not deal with the journey, can read only the other entries. After having visited over 700 hospitals in this country, I find there is so many things to laugh about and complain about.  So here goes..........

Yesterday I went to my appointment at Cleveland Clinic and me my surgeon and his team.  Truly, I felt right at home.  It is so much like Duke it is scary. 

I have scheduled surgery on January 24, which seems like a long time away, but on the other hand, if they are not worried, I do not have to be.  Silly, ignorant statement...but gives some solace.

First, let me tell you how to make one go crazy.  Thank you Cleveland Clinic.  I was made an appointment with a surgeon for December 21.  I was in the car tootling toward downtown Cleveland, and received a phone message telling me the appointment had been changed and they would like me to see a more specialized surgeon.  OK.  I couldn't wait to get to the computer and find out the qualifications and why this new surgeon.  Now how is this for specialization.  this new surgeon, which I saw yesterday.  Is a specialist in appendix surgeries.  NOW give me a break.  He also specializes in pancreas and liver stuff.  My guess it is a specialization based on cellular issues.  The surgeon, Sricharan Chalikonda, MD, is very certified in Lap surgeries and that is how it will be done. He is also working in Robotic surgery.    If he has to, of course he will go to open incision, but that is highly unlikely in today's world.  He is also going to repair the ventral hernia I got from the last lap that was done three years ago.  I will probably not have to spend the night, unless I am very late in the day.  I am going to ask for first case, of course. This is  a real important thing, If you can muster up the courage to make sure it happens.  So I always try. The staff is alert having just had a bunch of coffee and sugar,

the room was cleaned during the night from floor to ceiling, 

 I will have general anesthesia. Cleveland Clinic has a bunch of sites and of course I opt for the most complicated one on the main campus.  Well, I guess my guys will get over having to hang out down there. 

Now for the observations.  The fun stuff.  When I arrived for the visit I was a bit early for the 10:10 AM time.  At 11:20 I was summoned into the inner sanctum.  The usual blood pressure, weight and review of vital info took maybe ten minutes, at most, then into the exam room.  Another thirty minute wait.  In comes a young woman and we begin an hour interview.  Of course, being the second year resident, she had read every word of my record.  We had to go over every word again.  It did seem we went over them twice.  A very thorough, maybe obsessive, young doctor.  THANK GOD FOR OBSESSIVE.  Out she went.  Another forty minute wait.  In comes the boss... Dr. C (we will refer to him as Dr. C) Spent an efficient thirty minutes, reviewing and explaining.  Out he goes.  In comes the nurse.  Not the one that did the original stuff, but the real boss.  The explanation of all that was to ensue.  Cards were given and a pleasant, We will see you when we do the things required before surgery.  I will send you appointments.

In the middle of traffic I fought my way home.  In my heart I am grateful.  That visit really took a long time, any diva would have screamed.  This diva would have been really uncomfortable if it had gone any other way.

Postscript:  Just looked at My Chart.  On January 11 I have seven appointments.  Beginning at !! AM and ending at 4:30.  Betcha I am there until six.  More Later.

My doctors credentials....

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/physician_name_search.aspx#6382