Good morning Laurel. I am trying to get into Vandy as I had a great experience with the Endocrine and Interventional Teams last summer. Are you a member of the NTM Resource and Support group? Would you happen to be the Laurel with the TN group who reached out to the ID Team for me? One of the leaders (Amy L) in that organization is supposed to be contacting the MD (Dr. Fiske) again. I was hoping to have the imaging done a day before my appt. The first 2 appt specialists said that would not be a problem, but the last maybe? The Team Lead was extremely rude and said that would not be happening. You must come to appt with all imaging media, reports, and post biopsies with results. I don't know if that was the general rule for the clinic or if Dr. Fiske even was informed of my needs. That is the whole issue in my area. My Infectious Disease is obstructive as he should have obtained imaging before and after my treatment so if imaging is not done and nothing is "seen" then there is nothing to treat. He has marked my chart as "Crazy" essentially. My PCP retired in Dec and he recommended who I should see with all of my complex health issues, but she has been off for months now caring for her ill husband. I tried to get appropriate imaging with the MD's APN, but she was overwhelmed with my health issues. Ordered my MRI, and was on the table for 2 hrs. and 20 minutes to receive a report that only captured from the femur to femur. It got my inner thighs and not my outer where the nodules are primarily located. My pain had eased up a bit and I needed a mental and emotional reprieve. Unfortunately, my significant pain returned over the weekend. I opted to ask for another PCP. I had an appointment yesterday and he seems to understand my needs. He is reaching out to the private cancer institute to see if they could get the imaging and biopsy done for me and I pray they will be receptive to the tests needed for correct biopsy analysis. This has been a living nightmare! I just need adequate imaging so whatever this is can be captured; then a biopsy for identification.

Are you on the Mayo Clinic Blog just for access to additional info and extra support or did the Mayo refer you to Vandy?

Thanks for reaching out to me.

Beth