Larissa needs help.

She is back in the hospital, for a fourth time. She cannot keep ANYTHING down. Her "surgeon" blames chicken. You heard me. She spoke with The Butcher earlier, and he blames HER because she ate some chicken, and it must have got stuck, he sez. So this evil chicken is responsible for her stricture, according to The Butcher, and is the reason why she is quickly wasting away from malnutrition. I cannot believe this man is still in practice.

She needs to get to a good DS surgeon. Y'all, toss me some names. If you have a good DS surgeon, and you know that he might accept someone with no insurance, who had surgery in Mexico, please toss me his name and contact info. Her mother, after our conversation this afternoon, is highly motivated to help her get to someone who can help her. I need to send her a list of names to call. Help?

For any newbies who are wondering what the fuck: Larissa had surgery in Mexico with Dr. Huacuz, whose reputation preceeded him. We call him The Butcher. She is not doing well.

I am sorry that she isn't doing well. I hope that she can find a doctor to help her. Has she just gone to the ER and forced a bariatric surgeon to see her?

She has been to the ER of a hospital that has a bariatric surgeon, but he didn't see her.

I have no idea if he can or would accept her, but Dr. Henry Buchwald at the University of Minnesota is a great and compassionate guy as well as a teacher and researcher.  It is worth calling him even though I know he's far from Larissa.

As for The Butcher, FUCK HIM.  CHICKEN?  I ate soft chicken thighs as soon as I was cleared for soft foods and they sure as hell didn't cause a stricture.  Bull**** that she caused her own stricture!  That man is unbelievable!

 Thanks, Buchwald should definitely be on the list.

I don't have any suggestions for alternative surgeons.   I hope Dr. Buchwald is able to help.   Or someone is!   This is a very frustrating and frightening situation.

One thing I've been trying to find out is if the U of MN is one of the hospitals that will be affected by the nurses strike.   They did a one-day strike a while ago and no settlement was reached.   So they're voting on an open-ended strike today, I believe.

All I can find out is that it's 14 hospitals in Minneapolis/St. Paul.   One of my friends is a nurse there, and I've asked about the U of MN hospital, but I think that's where she used to work, so I think they might be affected.

The strike, btw is about adequate staffing for the patient's SAFE CARE, not about money for the nurses.  The hospitals are illegally colluding to stonewall agreement about staffing to patient ratios.   One of the brilliant CEO for a large hospital system made the comment "What does staffing have to do with Nurses?"   So i'm not too optimistic about how the talks are going.

All that, just to say that I hope Dr. Buchwald will be in a position to help!

Dennie

Oh no.... i was afraid that she might still be in trouble. Maybe she could call Ungson. He might be able to help. He would still be cheap for her, since she is self pay. Maybe he could at least give some advice on the matter. I know he is affiliated with some hospitals in the states. maybe he could recommend something.

 That's a good thought, Rena, thanks. At least Ungson wouldn't be unwilling to work with the patient of a Mexican surgeon, and Ungson is one of the very best in the world. 

I can offer nothing other then my prayers... I was afraid of this..I am very worried about her. Dear God I hope that someone will step up to the plate and help her out..

I'm very sorry to hear about the state Larissa is in.  My surgeon, Dr. Keshishian, is wonderful.  BUT, I have absolutely NO idea if he would take on someone with no insurance and no ability to pay.  You would just have to call and ask.  I do know he has the skill set she needs and he routinely cleans up the mess other doctors make.