"I called Dr. Halverson's office on 2/13 and was told that they were booking consults for July; but that the NP would run my case past the doc; and see if I could be seen sooner. Rec'd call on 2/19 and
have my first appt for 3/20; the doc didn't want me to have to wait so long due to my specific medical problems! Yeah!
I made the appt on 3/20 and though it was late in the day and I was his last patient; he went over some of my questions and I was introduced to his nurse practioner, Carole. I was given a food intake diary and begin their 2 week dietand chewing 20 times and waiting 5 minutes in
between bites. That was going to be the hard part!
I went back May 8th and had lost 8 lbs and saw the nurse practioner who went over my diary with me and showed me where to improve and to come back in 1 month since I live quite far from Syracuse.
July 6, 2001 - Went to see Halverson today and have had a hard time with personal problems and my grandma died; and then scheduling an appointment; so this time I also saw Dr. Halverson and we talked and he gave me a few pointers and I go back on July 20th and hope to have good results with
the diary.
January 28, 2002 -- After the last6 months of personal problems; one after another I finally found out that Dr. Halverson was on sick leave to have some surgery himself and don't know when he will be back to doing surgery; but when he doesn I am sure he will be several months behind. I decided to consult with Dr. Douglas McKane in Horseheads todayand glad I did. He said I was a good candidate even with my medical problems (kidney transplant and immuno suppressant drugs); I will see him again on 2/8/02 for a physical
and also will see a kidney specialist to follow me at McKane's hospital. My regular kidney doc is at another hospital. So I am hoping that I will have a date in March sometime. I will keep you up to date as things progress; right now I am just glad to finally find a surgeon who will take on the challenge!
February 12, 2002 -- Had an appt with Dr. Tapia at Arnot-Ogden Hospital; he was nice and reassuring and will follow my kidneys through the weight loss surgery.
March 1, 2002 -- Physical and History intake with Dr. McKane; had EKG and Chest X-ray since I just got over the flu and was still coughing; x-ray was negative and EKG was normal! Scheduled for Gallbladder Ultrasound.
March 5, 2002 -- Gall Bladder Ultrasound - Guthrie Clinic, Sayre, PA
March 11, 2002 -- Final consultation with Dr. McKane; spent an hour going over all the risks and possible complications along with specific issues concerning my transplant and the immuno-suppressant drugs; will get back with him after my trip to Syracuse on the 14th.
March 14, 2002 -- Transplant Clinic appt at Syracuse; bloodwork back to normal and no biopsy needed; given order for the doctors to follow after my surgery-Final approval - OK to Go!!!!
March 15, 2002 -- Dr. McKane called and we went over on the phone what the doc in syracuse said and he had me ask them to fax my bloodlabs to them so I wouldn't need to do it again! Date set for March 28th! FINALLY!
March 18, 2002 -- Had a heck of a time with medicaid/medicare on the phone; the doc's office told me to call and they told me to have the doc call--ughh! McKane's nurse called later on and all is approved! Cool!
Will update after the big slice!!!
"
