Hi Colleen,
Thank you for tagging, pinning and pointing me in so many great directions. Reading on here of the grit, determination, the pitfalls and challenges of others with HOCM has been very informative to me and others I am sure. I lurked out there, not being one who likes to share or step into the spot light so to speak, but I really wanted to know information from the ones who've gone before me. I appreciate you stepping in and taking me on a guided tour. I've been most of these places, but it never hurts to read it again. I'm a voracious internet researcher. My goodness I have bookmarked probably a hundred sites by now. All good information and taken together along with this group has helped me tremendously to face the toughest thing I think I'll ever do. And hope I never have to do again! The unknown is what makes facing something like this so challenging. And being able to hear from real people who actually when thru this is a real benefit. Thank goodness for Mayo Clinic, the internet and modern medicine 🙂
I have emailed Dr. Bagameri's administrative assistant with a list of questions, which I knew need to be addressed medically...such as when to stop my once daily Advil, or when to give up my nightly wine with dinner ritual, do I need cardiac rehab and when to begin. Things like that. She told me she would have those answers today, Monday March 2. With my surgery looming ever closer I am still kind of in denial. Maybe that's a good thing. I tend to stress about things when I can't control them. This being one!
Like Ron Petrovich, I work in a hospital too. I am not a nurse. I am an ICD10 coder. So we are educated clinically, but without the nursing program. I've worked in hospitals for over 40 years. All over this State. And I have to say I have NEVER seen a more efficient, organized, clean, and actually pretty place as the Mayo Clinic. I only briefly saw St. Mary's when I consulted with Dr. Bagameri, but what I did see was like the downtown campus. Clean. Organized. Efficient. I am not looking forward to this event, but I have extreme confidence in my choice to go with Mayo Clinic. I was certain my insurance would not allow for this. Hello out of network rules. But BC/BS of Texas (my hospital's corporate headquarters is in Dallas, so even though I live and work for California based hospital, we all have Texas insurance) they told me Mayo is considered a COE (center of excellence) and was not only in network, but was a Premiere Provider and I was approved quickly and easily. That was a load off my already full plate!
Thank you for you kind response and for the tags and suggestions. I will certainly check them out. Again 🙂
Best regards