I'm at a loss

[Jim Scott]

First, let me state unequivocally that I tend to avoid poking bears with sticks - unless the stick is attached to a very powerful, loaded rifle.

Mudpuppy:

Although lots of relevant points have been raised that would help explain you and your wife's distinctly unpleasant experience with this particular neurosurgeon, from fear of litigation to lack of inter-office communication, the fact remains that he acted, shall we say, unprofessionally (in the vernacular- like a jerk).  He could have simply stated, calmly and politely, maybe even forcing a thin smile, that he was not going to review your MRI scans due to litigation issues or whatever but instead, he chose to act as if your wife had insulted him and then threw up on his desk.  There was no need for his brusque manner of dismissing your wife.  None.  That is why I stated that I believe sheer arrogance based on an inflated ego prompted his actions, which, again, no matter the actual reason (who cares at this point?) were unprofessional and rude, to put a polite face on a rather ugly situation.  In any case, I would venture to state that you're well rid of this particular doctor.  Life is too short to put up with this kind of totally unnecessary aggrivation.

I'm glad the House Clinic agreed to review your wife's annual MRI scan and I trust it will be positive. 

Jim   

[leapyrtwins]

First, let me state unequivocally that I tend to avoid poking bears with sticks - unless the stick is attached to a very powerful, loaded rifle.  

Good one, Jim 

oHIo -

guess it's just my day to be shocked.  Patients really tell the staff one reason for their visit and then tell the doctor another    I would never even think about doing that!  IMO that's truly weird - but then again, my life's an open book.  Yes, I'm "stating the obvious" like my daughter likes to say 

BTW, you should write that book - I'm dying to read it 

Wendy -

I absolutely LOVE when people agree with me - but be forewarned, I don't slip people $10 like Phyl usually does 

Jan

[LADavid]

Phyl slips people $10 for agreeing with her?

Hey Phyl, whatever you say is right by me.   

And as far as the poking bears with sticks club.  Count me in.  I've left a very long trail of angry and annoyed bears.  I just poked a rather large bear yesterday.  Still waiting for the growl.

David

[oHIo]

Yes Jan...patients lie.  I would have no problem if they said they would rather discuss the issue with the doctor (and leave me out of the loop).  When I interview a patient and tell the doctor the story, they review the records based on my comments.  Most of a patients diagnosis is based on their history and their story.  Some people wrongfully believe diagnosis is based on examination alone.  My favorite though, is people who show up at the office and say they have no clue why they are there. 

Jim...I agree with you 100%.  I certainly wasn't trying to defend the doctor's behavior and believe Mudpuppy's wife surely got the raw end of the deal. 

I definitely agree with whatever Phyl might have to say.  I could use $10.   

LADavid...join our poking bears with sticks club.  We could take Jim along for the ride (and protection, since his stick will have a gun at the end should we mess with the wrong bear) 



 

[wendysig]

Jan -
I didn't know Phyl was giving out $10 to everyone who agrees with her -- Now that you've mentioned it, the next time she posts something  I'll be the first one ot agree with her so I don't miss out before she runs out of money!!  I can't believe you're not following in her footsteps and I was really looking forward to a $10 tip from you too! I thought I'd use it for my BAHA Fund!!!

Wendy

[leapyrtwins]

Okay, apparently I've commented on something that you guys haven't picked up from Phyl's posts 

Not to start rumors or anything, but if you go back and search some of Phyl's ruminations you will see that she often mentions slipping $10 to those who agree with her.  I kid you not    Must I find the links and post them???  Kaybo and Steve are two very observant forumites, I bet they know what I'm talking about!

BAHA fund, Wendy - now why didn't I  think of that???

David, welcome to the "Bear" club - always room for one more!  Lori will be SO happy!

And, last by not least, oHIo - all I can say is unbelievable!  Writing that book sounds like a better idea each time you post.  Maybe David can help you with your writing - he's very good at it!

Jan

[lori67]

Yes, I am happy to have more members of the "Bear Poking Club" - that way I can let all you guys go first, while I hide behind you!  Hopefully after swallowing all of you, he'll be too full to bother with me!   

And I think the reason Phyl is able to offer the $10 is because of that HUGE moderator salary!  I think we might have to start asking her for $12 instead of $10.

[oHIo]

And, last by not least, oHIo - all I can say is unbelievable!  Writing that book sounds like a better idea each time you post.  Maybe David can help you with your writing - he's very good at it!
Jan

Jan...if I write the book, David can be me in the movie.  We can change the main character to a male and David can solve his employment issues.  I am a female Marty Feldman at this point (David had expressed he didn't think there was much need for another Marty Feldman type...who woulda thought...)  I'll start page one tonight.

Chapter 1.  It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times.     How do you like it so far?

Jan, I have seen Phyl's posts involving her payoffs.  Since I've been lurking and hanging around the forum for almost a year now, I decided it was time to get in line for some money. 

[leapyrtwins]

oHIo -

I think the book is off to a great start - although it sounds a bit familiar 

Thanks for backing me up on the Phyl comment - I knew I wasn't hallucinating!  At least not this time   

Jan

[Debbi]

Jeez, here I've been hanging out in my cave feeling sorry for myself and NOW I find out there's money being thrown about the forum...  Rats!

[JeWeL41]

Well, we may have to wait almost forever to see a specialist in the UK but at least they are compelled to treat us and answer our questions and they usually do with professionalism if not courtesy - some are even nice, some haven't got a clue. I can't even begin to imagine some of the worries expressed on here re insurance companies and whether they will pay etc, thank God for the NHS.

[Jim Scott]

Jewel:

I'm glad you're grateful to your government for providing taxpayer-funded health care services with doctors of varying efficiency, as you state.  The American health care system certainly has flaws, some of them due to government meddling, but I'll take our free market system, thanks. 

You get nothing for nothing in this life.  What Americans pay in insurance premiums and out-of-pocket, residents of countries with 'socialized medicine' schemes pay in higher taxes, not to mention having fewer choices and sometimes, rationed care, whether they're aware of it or not.  There is a reason wealthy (and sometimes not-so-wealthy) people from Europe and other countries sometimes travel to the U.S. to have their medical problems treated.  We have some of the best doctors and medical facilities in the world. That costs money and insurance companies pay for most of it, yet still manage to make a profit.  Although we Americans tend to complain about the cost of health insurance and the sometimes seemingly intractable policies the insurance companies adopt, in most cases, they do pay the bulk of the medical bills in this country.  For those without health insurance, federal, state and local governments have numerous programs to help the uninsured and indigent.  On the internet, you can always find exceptions and alarming accounts of insurance companies refusing to cover this or that and someone going deeply into debt to pay for a necessary medical procedure but often they didn't do the necessary diligence to find a way to get the insurance company to pay or else didn't avail themselves of outside help,(federal, state or local programs) if necessary.  Of course, there are blatant cases of outright abuse of policyholders by health insurers but I'm sure there are equally depressing tales of abuse by the NHS.  Neither incidence should condemn the entire system.   I guess we could call it a case of 'you say TOE-MAY-TOE and I say TOE-MOT-TOE'.   

However, I know some folks look at 'universal health care' in other countries and swoon with envy so I won't belabor the issue.  But I'll warn those who see a government bureaucracy in charge of our health care as a panacea for whatever problems they've had with their doctor, a hospital or health insurance company to be careful what they wish for because you just might get it - and it'll be too late then to reverse course.

Now, will someone help me down from this soapbox?  Thanks. 

Jim 

 

[yardtick]

I am one Canadian very happy with the "socialized" health care system I pay for with my tax dollars.  Canada is unique, a large country with a small population.  In the populated areas Canadians have extraordinary health care.  Its the remote areas that suffer.  My husband works in health care and he see many non residents with fake health cards trying obtain health care.

In the scheme of things, I think it is what you are use too.  What bothers me is insurance companies and pharmaceutical firms who take advantage of the people who need health care and medication.  I hope David gets his battle settled.   AN has enough battles to overcome with out worrying about medical fees. 

Sorry Jim, but this is how I feel.

Anne Marie

[Jim Scott]

Yardtick:

No need to apologize for having an opinion that happens to be different from mine, Anne Marie.  I'm glad you're content with your country's government-run health care system.  Really.    Besides, I'm old enough to realize that whatever one's opinion may be on any issue, there will always be other people with a contrary opinion.  That doesn't mean we can't simply agree to disagree, without rancor.  You're a valuable contributer to the forums and I wouldn't want you to feel in any way slighted just because we happen to hold differing opinions on the benefits (or drawbacks) of socialized health care.  Although we've all been participants in our respective country's health care systems - for better or worse - these are really somewhat abstract positions that may be interesting to express but have no weight beyond our personal convictions on the issue.  Hardly worth getting piqued over...and I'm not.  After all, this is a discussion forum. 

I know most Canadians and Europeans like their socialized health care system and that some Americans want the same.  I don't.  However, I expected some opposition to my comments.  No problem. While other members are certainly free to express their opinion I don't intend to 'debate' the issue, as this is not what these forums are for.  I've said my piece and I'll likely move off this issue now, unless I feel compelled to answer something I might consider untrue or slanderous, which I don't expect.  We're all grown-ups here and can certainly have a slight difference of opinion without it devolving into acrimony.  I appreciate your observations, Ann Marie, and look forward to reading many more of your interesting posts in the future.  Thanks for your contributions to the forums.       

Jim
   

[goinbatty]

After receiving cyberknife out of state, I changed my local physician to another ENT that came highly recommended by another AN patient.  My original physician didn't agree with my treatment choice.  I'll leave it at that.  This new physician could not have been nicer.  He's going to order my MRIs and keep in contact with the radiation oncology for me.  I do believe the liability issue factors heavily into physicians refusal to care for patients treated elsewhere. 
Regarding insurance, I'm a nurse working for an insurance company.  The average American has absolutely no idea how the system works.  There are so many layers involved.  However, I fear the end result of government plans replacing commerical insurance. 
http://www.hrsonline.org/Policy/LegislationTakeAction/cms-trustees-report.cfm
With reductions in physician reimbursement, this can result in fewer people entering that field of study.  Fewer physicians can lead to increased wait times for treatment with the possible rationing of healthcare.  Waiting lists....
Sorry but I just had to jump in on that topic.