Echo Results

[Ross]

I just got off the phone with my Cardio's nurse. The Doctor has not read the report yet. She is going to make sure he does by the end of this week. She went on to say that from what she sees, there isn't anything "Too awfully bad" but to wait for his official interpretation. She said in other words, she didn't see anything that would jump right in her face and signal danger.

Many of you have asked me if I got the results. This is what I know thus far.

 

[Kim]

Hi Ross,

I know how frustrating this is for you! I wish doctors would remember that we are paying them! I will continue to remember you in my prayers! Let us know when you hear the offical report from your cardiologist.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Ross,
Like they say, Hurry up and wait. We will all be waiting with you for the results. Keep Smiling.

Dave
________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical 27mm

 

[Nancy]

Hi Ross-

It's been quite a while for you to wait. It would have been nice if someone had made an extra special effort to let you know what is happening as soon as the results were available, especially since you have so many complications and aren't feeling all that well.

But perhaps your doctor has to wait until he can speak with others involved with your care.

We don't often know what is going on behind the scenes.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers for a good report.

Take care,

 

[hensylee]

well, dang, dang, dang..

 

[wweir]

Ross,

Like all your friends I only want good news for you. Rest assured you are in our prayers and thoughts.

Hang in there Ross.


Walter

 

[McCln]

Ross

Ross

Something amiss with your cardio. Mine always tells me before we conclude my visit of what the results. My cardio looks and listens to the echo while I wait in the examine room. Never no longer than 20 minutes. I hope you have a talk with the cardio with making you wait this long. I will also hope that all is well.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[Creed3]

Ross,
I'm sure this has to be so frustrating for you. This does seem to be an awfully long time to wait for the results. Just keep on them. You are definately in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and please keep us all informed.

Gail

 

[Ross]

Re: Ross

Re: Ross

Something amiss with your cardio. Mine always tells me before we conclude my visit of what the results. My cardio looks and listens to the echo while I wait in the examine room. Never no longer than 20 minutes. I hope you have a talk with the cardio with making you wait this long. I will also hope that all is well.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

The problem here is that I had the Cardio appointment and had to book the echo a week later, then a week for the results which should have been last Thursday and now they have the results but they haven't been read. Cardios do we really need them?

 

[MelissaM]

Ross,

That BITES that you have to wait. Bummer, bummer, bummer. I wonder if you could get go in and request a "copy" of the echo report for your records to get a sneak preview.

Confidential to the folks at VR.com: I've noticed that the 'unexpected visit'. . ."was just in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by". . .often yeilds pleasant results - often w/out a co-pay!

Melissa

 

[epstns]

Ross, I don't know about the unplanned visit ploy, but I have had some success with requesting a copy of a report before the cardio saw and signed off on it, just having the clerk stamp it "preliminary" so that they can't be held liable if the final interpretation is different. I'm sure the "trick" is different in each practice office, but there MUST be something they can do to alleviate your anxiety.

Maybe sending the nurses some cookies? (That was always my dad's trick.)

 

[Les]

Hi Melissa,
An unexpected visit at your cardio office? I had a thousand questions last year after they found the "new" leak, etc. and tried unsuccessfully to get them answered by email, fax and phone so I attempted to schedule an appointment...offering to PAY to have my questions answered and was coldly told by the receptionist..." We don't allow those kinds of appointments....the doctors will call you if there's anything you need to know..." Talk about your "Ivory Tower!" Hold on to your cardio if they are that receptive to patients' queries! If I lived anywhere near Boulder, I would ask you for a referral! Take care!
_________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[sylviayasgur]

wow ross!
you must be so upset about this. you've been such a good, patient sport till now...
maybe it's good news that your cardio is not rushing to call you with the results... wouldn't he be on the phone in a heartbeat if there was something you needed to worry about??? no news, good news??/
trying to be optimistic here...
i pray that all is well with your echo and you.
all the best, sylvia

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Ross:

We will hope it is good news and that is why they haven't been tripping over themselves, trying to get the results to you. Waiting is such a pain. Do you know this cardio. well? If not, maybe it is time to look around. . .

 

[Les]

Ross, you know I think this wait is ridiculous. Just make your payment to them proportional.....
____________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[Nancy]

Ya' know, a lot of women got after their ob/gyn doctors for not getting back to them fast with mammogram results. I noticed a big improvement in getting mine, the past couple of years.

Maybe heart patients should make as big a ruckus.

It's really imhumane not to have gotten back to you right away if there was no good reason, other than just plain foot dragging. Even if the results are OK that's still something the patient wants to hear.

When some in the medical profession have the same problems, or their family members do, their minds change dramatically.

I certainly hope you do hear this week.

 

[Ross]

I'm so used to this that if I got answers any faster, I'd certainly think something was wrong. The nurse I spoke to yesterday assured me that she would have solid answers and a copy of the report for me by Friday of this week. I know better then to count on it. I have to go get my INR checked on Friday, so I'll "Be in the neighborhood" or rather right in the office.

My Cardiologist is a member of an entire group. Most of the problems are that he has multiple offices, hospitals, and testing facilities with which to deal. It wasn't always this way, but it is the way this whole County has gone over the last few years.
He is a great guy, but as with all Cardio's I've ever met, requires a load of patience. Not making excuses for him, but I certainly can understand how things like this can be messed up.

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Ross:

Sounds a lot like the situation in Alaska. There is just basically one office of many cardio. docs in my town and that is it. To get a 2nd opinion, we have to go to Seattle!

Maybe I should be grateful that my condition forced me to go to the Mayo. There was no one up here that could handle it, or wanted to handle it. My cardio. doc here said that if I had had Arnold's problem, one of the docs in his group would have been able to take care of it for me.

So reassuring.

 

[ILoVeNY25]

Hey Ross,

Sorry to hear about your long wait, It's not right. Does your cardio know that there is another 580 people waiting to hear your results!! The nerve of that guy! Still keeping my fingers crossed and prayers for results to be good. God Bless you in your wait. Lots of love, keep smiling!

 

[nadi]

Ross,

I know you like your cardio but maybe you should tell him about all 580 of us waiting for your results. Remember there is more power in numbers. HE HE