My second post on nurse and follow-up from yesterday

General
1

Hello,

Thank you everyone for your responses. They seem to be mixed, yes, it's necessary and the right thing to do and no, it isn't.

The no-show mention I understand but I did call and I feel there are times when you are justified. It may mess up their schedule, I agree, but, then again it may not even concern them because then they can spend more time with other patients and especially not getting behind as much for too many appts and making people wait would help. I don't know, maybe I'm justifying???

About still feeling they should follow-up would also be a liability issue. When we were discharged there are specific instructions and restrictions. Don't they have to be the ones, the ones that are responsible for, to make sure they did a good job, see that you're doing well, address any problem and either help or refer to another doctor, and ESPECIALLY, decide if restrictions such as going back to work, lifting how much weight, start exercising, and if you can start driving again are lifted and if not, when?

That's another reason I felt like I was being dismissed. FYI, that nurse has pissed me off before. She is always telling me, after I've call several times, don't worry, you can call me anytime, here's my cell phone even, I'm always here, don't hesitate, and I then still always have to leave a message. She'll call back usually much much later. As for this call, she did call back after my call, unfortunately we were sleeping and she left a message stating all the same things as before. I called back, of course, had to leave a message and here it is a day and a half later and she still hasn't called back..Good thing it's not an emergency. I'll even tell you her name, Sara, from Dr. Du's office in Boston, Mass., that's how sick I am of her. She dismissed everything and always makes me feel stupid and sorry I called. There, I said it.

Jeannine

2

Jeannine, give yourself and Ms Sara a break. I never reach my nurse the first go around. I leave a message. I have had two emergencies, one I went to my local ER for, the other I called her and she convinced me to call my partner. I probable owe them hundreds of dollars for the little calls that take up their time. Yes my nurse also says that’s what she’s there for. I thank her profusely each and every time I call. I even wrote a letter to the new director of the hospital bragging on my team. We don’t go local anymore, we go to the hospital that I was coiled at. I also found if I am specific with my questions for the nurse, she can ask the doctor and call back when she has spoken to the doc and when she has time. It’s okay if it takes three or four days, it’s not an emergency.

This is how I look at the calls to the nurse - I am one of hundreds of patients the doctor has, just one. And although my answers are vitally important to me, they may not be of much importance in the scheme of things. Others may be having an emergency such as I had, twice, and need her more in the moment then I do. So if the nurse is on the phone for twenty minutes a pop and then has to listen to her voice mail after each call, write down name, number and DOB, call the person bac, leave a message or not…well you get the logistics don’t you? Oh and if it’s a question the nurse has to run by the doctor, that can take days. Doc has surgery, non scheduled emergencies, lectures, more critical patients. Does this make sense?

I’m not a lawyer but I would venture to guess when you cancelled the follow up, you ended any liability for that, if any existed. I believe she suggested you make a follow up appt in the Spring when weather is safer to travel in.

3

No matter how many patients they have , they need to be POLITE when they call back ! it doesn't matter how long it takes them to call back , they are busy , just too show they care , and ACT like they are here for you . they choose too be a nurse too a nero surgeon ... had to figure they would be busy ...make lots of calls ... as long as the doctor " classifies you as under their care " the nurse is stuck answering questions ...don't feel bad , you are right .....Good luck

4

Jeanine, as a nurse who works in a MDs office and an annie patient, I see both sides. As a nurse, I am not always available by phone, ie in patient's room, etc. As an annie patient, I know the anxiety experienced with any illness. May I suggest going to your regular doctor. They or a neurologist are the ones who will follow your case. A surgeon is done. I have found more help that way. And yes, I have people who need more help who I have call during my lunch so I can spend time discussing things with them. In a busy office, there isn't any other time to give extra support. I hope this helps.

5

Jeannine - I started answering, but then I saw that you posted this Jan. 6. Have you been able to schedule another appt.? As someone who lives in Western MA, I understand the awful weather and also understand that you need some followup. Though I didn't have any real issues, my 3 month followup after surgery was a much needed - yes, everything is fine. We'll see you in another year.

I really understand your concern and hope you have been able to schedule another appointment. Take care,

Sherri

6

Hi Sherri,

Thanks and yes I have seen her since. It was rescheduled for the following Monday, the 12th. Everything went good and I so felt like my neurosurgeon cared and still needed to follow-up. She's referred me to a neuro-opthalmologist and I'm waiting (still, of course, for her nurse, who is her nurse but really works just in the office, not on the units) for her to call a week later. She actually already made the appointment while I was there but insisted on changing it to coincide with my next follow-up with the doctor so we wouldn't have to drive to Boston twice. I told her it didn't matter to us but she insisted so I just left. p.s. As I'm typing this I realized that it's stupid to go the same day because my doctor wants to follow my eye status so shouldn't I see the eye doctor before my next appt in 6 weeks with her if possible? If I see the eye doctor after, I'm still going to have to see my surgeon again anyway. Does that make sense???

Take care,

Jeannine

Sherri Long said:

Jeannine - I started answering, but then I saw that you posted this Jan. 6. Have you been able to schedule another appt.? As someone who lives in Western MA, I understand the awful weather and also understand that you need some followup. Though I didn't have any real issues, my 3 month followup after surgery was a much needed - yes, everything is fine. We'll see you in another year.

I really understand your concern and hope you have been able to schedule another appointment. Take care,

Sherri

7

I agree Jeannine! If your doctor wants to know what the Neuro opthamologist has to say, you’d have to see the eye doctor then her Neuro surgeon. If she already made the appointment, can you call the n-opthamologist and get the date you want?

8

Yes, I agree Jeannine to see the eye doctor first. I don't agree with some of the comments that people have been saying "your surgeon only does the surgery". I haven't seen anyone else but my surgeon on an annual basis, but then I also haven't had other issues with my brain. I did (and still do) have back problems (somehow the hospital managed to move me wrong and I now have 3 bulging disks) and then there is my out of breath problem that I have also had, but again, not related to brain and have had every test imaginable.

I am glad that you got to see your neurosurgeon for followup. And that you are referred to an eye specialist. Have your eyes gotten any better yet?

Sherri



J Knights said:

Hi Sherri,

Thanks and yes I have seen her since. It was rescheduled for the following Monday, the 12th. Everything went good and I so felt like my neurosurgeon cared and still needed to follow-up. She's referred me to a neuro-opthalmologist and I'm waiting (still, of course, for her nurse, who is her nurse but really works just in the office, not on the units) for her to call a week later. She actually already made the appointment while I was there but insisted on changing it to coincide with my next follow-up with the doctor so we wouldn't have to drive to Boston twice. I told her it didn't matter to us but she insisted so I just left. p.s. As I'm typing this I realized that it's stupid to go the same day because my doctor wants to follow my eye status so shouldn't I see the eye doctor before my next appt in 6 weeks with her if possible? If I see the eye doctor after, I'm still going to have to see my surgeon again anyway. Does that make sense???

Take care,

Jeannine

Sherri Long said:

Jeannine - I started answering, but then I saw that you posted this Jan. 6. Have you been able to schedule another appt.? As someone who lives in Western MA, I understand the awful weather and also understand that you need some followup. Though I didn't have any real issues, my 3 month followup after surgery was a much needed - yes, everything is fine. We'll see you in another year.

I really understand your concern and hope you have been able to schedule another appointment. Take care,

Sherri