PattyO
My story begins on 2.27.2002 in Barrington, Il. I have had a new chance at life. I had a gastric bypass. I was the first patient of Dr. Hoeltgen and the first G.B. patient for Good Shepherd hospital. The treatment was great in the begining and the weight seemed to be melting off from my head to my toes. But then things started to change. i was sick , nauseated and had a pain in my stomache and the constipation was horrible. I could eat but couldn't eliminate anything. I called the doctor and his office said to call my general doctor. She admitted me right away and ran test. I started feeling better, but the pain was still there. He reluctantly ordered tests and we found out that my stoma was enlarged. WHY? Nothing was done about it and he said I was fine.
When I kept asking questions he finally had had enough and put me off and I would only be able to speak to his receptionist not him. I had some other medical problems at 14 months out (hysterectomy) which required surgery, then complications and a total of 5 surgeries later the constipation demon returned. Once again I had questions for the doctor and the breaking point was when I asked for some of my medical records they were not pleased and said for the copy of labs I wanted they were going to charge me $25.00. I thought that was crazy and refused then later that month I recieved a letter releasing me from his care and "if I should need further surgical care please call his office." What did that mean. I thought once he did the surgery I was to follow him ?.
Well the pain never went away and the nausea was a daily thing. Then I started gaing weight. 5 lbs, 10 lbs, 20lbs.......... OMG what is happening? nothing was helping. Increasing protien, Water Water Water.....OMG Help! The pain, the depression. Someone help me.
Jump ahead to April 26,2007.
The pain is getting to me and now I am only eating liquids and maybe very soft foods. This is going on 3 weeks and still the pain when I eat and sometimes the food hits my pouch and springs back up immediatly. Something is wrong. In a desperate chance I called Dr Heydari's office. This man, I have had such high respect for, for 3 years now. My very best friend had her GB by him and he has answered questions for me from time to time but could not help me at that time.
So I called and left a message for him and explained my situation and he ourdered a EGD right away. He explained that he thinks I might have something stuck over the stoma. ??,Ok . So I did everything he told me to do until the EGD. He thought I was going to have a dilation and removal of the blockage.
The gastro doctor Dr Shaw came in to preform the procedure and he was nice and explained everything and reasured me he would take care of me and then give the results to Dr Heydari. After the procedure I awoke to see the doctor talking to my husband and the nurse standing by. I freaked out! Whats wrong? I said. He walked over to the cot and had some pictures. To find out I had multiple ulcers that required medication and he took a byiopsy and the item he showed me then in the picture was puzzeling then. It was a large lump coming out of a hole. What is that? Thats your intestine telescoping back into your pouch. What?? How?? Well he proceded to explain this has been going on for some time now. Years??? Well he said I need to talk to Dr Heydari about this and he will give you a call he said. (Is this one doctor covering for another?) I quickly said Dr Heydari did not do my original surgery. He seemed puzzeled. Boy the questions were flying through my mind at a mile a minute. My husband looked at me and said "You were right about Dr Hoeltgen." I knew something was wrong and that he knew it. One last question for Dr Shaw, " Is this hard to find or diagnose?" He explained that it was hard to see sometimes while it is protruding like this. Ok I said.
Well 5 days went by and I had finally called Dr Heydari I needed some answers. He called me back on my way home from work and explained that Dr Shaw had told him of the situation but had forgot what my name was . Dr Heydari didn't think it was me due to the circumstances of the findings. But he put two and two together after I left the message and told me because I was symptomatic I needed surgery right away. He didn't want to do it in an emergancy situation because I was a complicated case. Gallbladder surgery, G.B, Hysterectomy and hernia repair with mesh, all open surgeries. so he scheduled it for May 22.
On May 22, 2007 I had a repair of my intestine, pouch and removal of all the ulcers. Just a general cleaning up of the insides. Kind of like a revision. Starting all over, no problem. I can do this. All went well and I am home now and the pain........ ITS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for everything Dr Heydari , Dr Schwab and Dr Shaw.
That's my story, if any of this can help anyone I hope it will. The biggest lesson I had learned was, We know our bodiesand just because one doctor brought us to the dance, doesn't mean we have to leave with him. If you are not happy with the care you are recieving it is up to you to deal with it until you are happy.
