Upcoming Colonoscopy

I had a consult today with a different Gastroenterologist regarding an upcoming colonoscopy. He came recommended by my NP, Cardio and a friend of mine.

Much to my surprise, he showed great interest in my ICD. He wanted to know the history for it and was very knowledgeable regarding the device. In my 5 years of hosting an ICD, this was the first time I had a Doctor who was not a Cardiologist show such interest. We also talked about the ground plate placement in case electrocautery is necessary.

He told me HE wanted a rep for the procedure and HE talked about when some of them show up, they only want to use a magnet instead of the programming and they don't want to check the device after a procedure to be sure the settings are correct. HE talked about how some of the reps do not want to do their job and the staff gets mad at them. I couldn't believe it....everything he said was my horrible experience with that rep 8 months ago when I had my hip replacement. So then I told him what happened to me and how my wonderful NP at the Cardio's Office (she's a keeper too), said to let her know the date and she will notify the "Good Rep" to meet me there. The Doctor was glad to hear that a "Good Rep" will be showing up!! I am so excited!

Now reality check...I am NOT excited about the colonoscopy....but the fact that some Doctors do care about the rest of our bodies and not just the part where their expertise resides. Too bad he wasn't a PCP.

But....it's still good news!

Grateful Heart

13 Comments

Are you sure...

by donr - 2013-12-03 02:12:55

...that wasn't a dream & a pleasant one at that?

Go for the GOLD!

Congrats - when is the big day?

Don

How sad

by Harrie - 2013-12-03 03:12:40

That you need to ensure you get the "good rep". I can't help comparing my pm experience with my husbands experience with implantation of neurostimulators for Parkinson's. I know pm's have been around for ever and neurostimulation is a relatively new procedure, but my husbands neurosurgeon, neurologist and DBS nurse are all outstanding professionals. In particular, they would never ever make an adjustment to the stimulation without explaining what they are doing, carefully observing the effects and sending him home with a copy of of his current settings. In short they treat us both with warm regard and RESPECT, something that appears to be sadly lacking in many of the health care professionals I read about on this site.

Problem medics

by donr - 2013-12-03 04:12:26

Royale: There are only 22,000 of us on this site. There are perhaps 10 MILLION PM hosts world wide. The 22,000 represent the folks w/ problems - like un-nice Dr's, PM Reps, etc. That is not to say that all the rest of the world is living in perfection, but just that we are the folks w/ problems/ questions who have found this place.

Realize that most of the folks w/ problems stick around after the problems are solved.

Bottom line - overall impressions of the PM/ICD community gathered here are not indicative of the overall community - they are skewed to the dissatisfaction side/

Don

Dave Barry column

by Reboot1212 - 2013-12-03 07:12:22

If you haven't already, you've got to read the Dave Barry colonoscopy article he wrote for the Miami Herald. It's online. Hilarious. Hope all "goes" well...

Fantastic

by cohara - 2013-12-03 07:12:28

How wonderful that you can be sure to remain safe during a procedure without having to spend huge amounts of energy making sure that the doctor is treating your pacemaker with the respect it deserves. What a great gift competence can be. Hope all goes well.

Carol

Yabut...

by donr - 2013-12-03 10:12:23

...Dave Barry does NOT mention use of the Mt Palomar 200 inch diameter telescope for the job. Wonder how they bend that thing around all the corners.

Don

Pleasant Dreams

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-03 10:12:46

LOL.....no, I pinched myself to make sure.

We all know it makes a huge difference when you can trust and have faith in your medical professionals. I am happy to add one more of the "Good Ones" to my list.

The big day....TBD. I wish it was over though.

Grateful Heart

Hope everything goes well

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-03 10:12:52

Hope everything goes well. And, yes, there are some good people out there. Finding them is the hard thing.

As far as the bad ones....

A skunk is never welcome at a picnic.

Theknotguy

Yes

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-03 11:12:14

We're working on it. Have to coordinate it with the "Good Rep". Hey, they should make a tv show with that name.

And no, I don't wish your experience on anybody.

Trying to fit it in before January.....before they say I have to do the procedure myself. :(

Grateful Heart

Make it ...

by donr - 2013-12-03 11:12:48

...as soon as possible. We all know that the anxiety & prep are the worst part of a Mt Palomar test.

Here's hoping that you don't experience what I did.

Don

I think you may have missed the point

by Harrie - 2013-12-04 03:12:43

I was making. My husbands specialists are great ....mine not so.
It's great that you have a good rep - it's sad that that they are not all good. That's all I'm saying. I don't think it's too much to expect competence in our health professionals.
Good luck with the colonoscopy

Ahhh......I did miss the point

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-04 05:12:08

Thanks for the clarification and I agree with you.

But unfortunately, it's not a perfect World.

Thanks for the well wishes....can't wait 'til it's over. LOL

Grateful Heart

Sad

by Grateful Heart - 2013-12-04 12:12:18

Royale: It is sad but unfortunately every profession has it's slackers...whether it be laziness, incompetence or indifference. If you and your husband have never encountered that.... you are very, very lucky. I consider myself very lucky for the great medical professionals I do have and for the ability to recognize the difference.

Like your Doctors, mine would never make an adjustment to my device without discussing it with me or my consent. I always receive a copy of my interrogation report and am treated respectfully too.

Of course I want the "Good Rep"...why would I want a "Bad Rep"?

My initial post on this thread was PRAISING the medical professionals that care for me and the joy in finding another good one. You focused on the one bad apple...there's one in every bunch! :)

I hope you and your husband are doing well.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and the humor.

Grateful Heart

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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