Sorry...very confused, scared, and not sure.

Tricia,

I am excited that it sounds like you are OK... that is a good thing!

On the other hand, I am in agreement with everyone else on that doctor. From what he (his staff) originally told you, the issues you had receiving any information, including your records, and the lack of interest and compassion they have shown to you, I would go elsewhere, even if I had to drive for 2 hours. How often are you in the office? Are there limitations to your travel?

I do understand where you are coming from because I live way out in the countryside with a selection of about 4 doctors withing an hour of home. I am truly fortunate to have found my "go to" doc only 45 minutes from the house. It's even nicer that his staff is wonderful, friendly and willing to both talk and get me in the office ASAP, if necessary. He's the guy that caught both my cancer and my husband's because he ran tests and investigated until he reached the cause of the problems. I did have to laugh at him when he wanted to do a pap smear though... what's he going to check? I don't even have a cervix anymore!

If you lived within 2 hours of Navasota, TX, I would be sending you to him... he takes Medicare, too!

I am very happy for you, but please do go find a new doctor!

Christine

Patricia wrote:

Pat,

I wondered if there was anyone else who felt that, too. My hands are tied now.

Thanks, Pat...for voicing your feeling and mine.

~Tricia

Sorry Tricia...not buying it......they just don't want to mess with Medicaid.
pat

GKLINE wrote:

George,

Well, I don't live directly in Chicago. I am in a western suburb of Chicago...about one hour's drive away. The doctors here are small-town doctors and their staffs consist of young girls who break the HIPA laws and have no respect for anyone's privacy.

The doctor I see now is an 'out-of-town' Urologist/Gyne. He is about a 45 minute drive for me. I have never had a problem with him nor any of his staff until I asked for my records. I felt myself being forced to explain 'why' I would want them and 'who' would be receiving them. I couldn't get them to understand that I, too, wanted a copy for my own records. This is not a doctor in Chicago--I am sure they are great. Also, when I found there were diagnoses in my Assessment sections of my records that I was never told existed, that upset me.

I have not doctored with anyone but my current doctor since 2008. Finding this doctor was a God-send. He is really great; that is why I am so saddened by all of this--it is unlike him and his staff. The doctor at the University of Chicago reviewed my records and had his secretary call me to say that I should continue my care with my doctor because he 'seems to be doing pretty well'. I must heed his advice. Please remember that the doctor in Chicago never saw me...so, it isn't that he isn't doing his job well and he seems happy with my records.

I am glad to hear you had such wonderful help! Like I mentioned, success stories are wonderful! I am very happy for you!

I am disappointed with this situation as well. Thanks for responding.

~Tricia

I guess this is kind of an open discussion about patient care. I live in a rural part of upstate NY and Tricia lives in the great city of Chicago with all of it's sophisticated medical infrastructure. I am surely surprised by the poor procedures shown by Tricia"s doctors.
When I first went to my local Dr. He showed amazing diagnostic abilities.(this is in hind sight, as I was too shocked to realize what was happening). Without even knowing a thing about the process ahead, my GP followed the outline perfectly.
I was even surprised to find that my local Urologist followed the right procedures as if he was using a manual. After visiting this site for the past (almost 2) year, I have to give the people at Albany Medical Hospital a Big Thumbs Up for saving my life!
This is why it makes no sense to me at all that Chicago would not be better in every way!

I am dismayed and disappointed for you Tricia. You deserve better treatment.

George

Patricia wrote:

Pat,

Hi. Yeah, next time. I don't think I have a choice. I got a call from the secretary at U. of C. today and she said that the doctor looked over the records and believes that my doctor did a pretty good job...even without the biopsy...and told me to continue to see him. I guess I will heed his advice. I kind of felt it was coming when I wrote that previous post and it was confirmed when I got the call today.

Truly, the options with doctors are slim here. I could tell you stories about my first two gyne's when I was younger! I feel I have no choice but to continue with my doctor since U of C believes he did well.

~Tricia