Waiting Waiting

How do you pass that last stretch. I started my first consult in april with most of my papers ready. It took about 2 months before my previous surgeon would release my papers (had to theaten bring legal action if they didnt!) Then they wanted me to redo my psych evaluation at northeast. I was ok with that, was a nice guy, very proactive, througho with questions about surgery and all. So that took a month to get an appointment then 20 interview, then another month for mmpi then another 3 weeks for a 20 min followup chat. I knew id have to wait 3-4 weeks for the report so i did that patiently for 4 weeks before i called. It got lost in the fax so i took it easy. Now its been another 3 weeks and haven't heard anything, altogther 7 months now. I dont need my papers for insurance because i have an exclusion so not sure what is up. I called last week and didnt get a return call which is highly unusual for them, so im afriad maybe i bugged them too much hehe! I so wanted to get this in before xmas now it just seems like its never going to happen. Im so happy to be a patient of dr baumans cause i think they are the best and i know im in good hands but theres a part of me that wished i just did this with the dumb surgeon i had scheduled in feb.

You are your own best advocate in these situations. The old adage about the squeaky wheel being oiled first is true. I would call every day, or at least every couple of days until they have done what they said they were going to do. I am unclear as to what you are waiting on, whether it's insurance approval or doc office paperwork, but either way, you have the right to call. They are working for you, not you them. Just be nice and do it in a non confrontational way, unless confrontation is needed. By the way, it looks as if my paperwork will be submitted before too long. We might be having surgery around the same time, albeit at different hospitals. Good luck. Take care and keep us posted. ~Ellen

Had all my paper work in 3 weeks ago. I dont need it sumbitted to insurance because i have an exclusion. From others looked like even with insurance it took two weeks and im worried i didnt get a call back cause they are so good with that always.

Maybe they are concerned since they know there's an exclusion and they could be fearful they will not get paid. If you are self-pay, then I'd go in, even without an appointment with a check. I was self-pay and I told them right upfront that I wanted to give them a 'retainer'...$1000. Believe me, I did that on August 8, 2005 and they operated on me September 13, 2005. I firmly believe money talks. HTH.

Hi, Don't know if this is the right place to post or not. And I'm not even sure I know what I want to post. I am SOOOOOOOO frustrated I could scream. And I've even done that, but it didn't really help any either. I started this journey in July, I have completed all my testing, I have done everything they told me to do, but still no surgery date. My best friend started the process in September (late) and she is having her surgery on November 28. YES I AM JEALOUS!!!!!! But even more than that, I am desperate to have this surgery before the holidays. I can't afford to gain another 10 (or even 1 for that matter!)pounds before surgery. I went to Curves yesterday, and I had a hard time putting my feet up high enough to use some of the machines. Anybody know what else I can do. I have been sending emails to my doc's office, but lately they haven't even answered them. I even tried to change docs, but I am 60 years old and most of them won't even take me as a patient. If you're reading this, thanks for taking the time. I feel like I'm standing in the woods screaming, but nobody hears. Thanks for caring, Alone and who gives a rip?

THIS IS A LONG PROCESS. BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP BEING PERSISTANT! NO MORE E-MAILS. GO TO THE OFFICE AND TELL THEM THAT YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE PROPER CHANNELS AND ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY ARE NOT TAKING MORE OF AN INTEREST IN YOUR CASE OR HEALTH. THESE PEOPLE WORK FOR YOU. WOULD YOU ROLL OVER IF IT WAS A LOVED ONE THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE BACK BURNER? STAND UP AND BE HEARD ( DO NOT BE RUDE UNLESS THAT IS THE ATTITUDE YOU ENCOUNTER.) BUT TAKING A PART IN YOUR HEALTHCARE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY . I HAVE WORKED IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD FOR 15 YEARS. I KNOW THAT MOST DEDICATED DOCTORS APPRECIATE A PATIENT THAT TAKES AN INTEREST IN THERE HEALTH. I WOULD THINK THAT SINCE SUCH A BIG PART OF GBS IS KNOWING HOW HEADSTRONG AND PERSISTANT YOU HAVE TO BE TO EXCEPT THE LIQUID DIETS, NEVER EATING WHATEVER YOU WANT AND HOW MUCH YOU WANT AND THE ALL TOGETHER CHANGE IN MIND SET THAT A MD WOULD WANT A PATIENT STRONG AND PERSISTANT. HANG IN THERE AND LET US KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. GOOD LUCK TAMMY