Getting Ready for Consult

[Guest guest]

Notan,

I wanted to let you know I followed your advise about making a

brief list (I even added the bullet notations) to give to the surgeon

at the consult appointment. I just printed it out for next week's

visit with Dr. Rice. Going through the records to come up with this

summary helped me to organize (even in my head) what 's had done

and his symptoms and the progression of the disease over the last 3

years. After his age and symptoms, I put on the sheet the tests he's

had done and treatments that were tried. Next, I think I'll organize

the test results by type (all the barium swallow results together, all

the EGD's together, etc.) and then we need to write down some

questions for the good doctor. Tops on my list for questions is " How

many patients have you treated with DES? " Thanks for your advise!

To Everyone,

We're open to any suggestions for questions to ask the surgeon. I

already printed out Debbi's list from the files as a reference. In

this past week, we've had a few times where we wondered if we're doing

the right thing (going for a surgical consult with Dr. Rice and flying

to San Francisco to see Dr. Patti). It's been scarey because 's

symptoms seem to be getting worse all the time. He is down to 157

lbs. today (that's over 70 lbs. weight loss, now). A co-worker that

he doesn't see often even commented today on how he heard that

wasn't doing well and on his dramatic weight loss. After seeing this

progression of symptoms, I'm reminded of why we're making the

sacrifice of time and money to travel out of state to get him some

relief. Thanks, again, for helping to guide us to find this help!

in Michigan, saying a prayer and keeping my fingers crossed

that there's some help for my hubby out there!