Me and Emory

[Guest guest]

Though I haven't been posting much lately, I have been faithfully

reading everyone else's posts, and feel I have learned a great deal.

Thanks to those who are so tireless in their helpfulness to others on

the forum. I sympathize and pray for those who are feeling poorly,

and empathize with those who are frightened. I laugh with the

comical postings of some, and I love to hear of those who improve

and/or are learning how to live with this illness. I very much

appreciate this forum!

I went to Emory University Hospital on Thursday to see Dr. Staton.

My pulmodude here in WNC had told me that all tests had been sent

ahead, and that my consultation would probably be no more than a half-

hour. (Or at least that's what I THINK he said.....) We left home

in WNC at 9:00am and arrived at Emory at 12:30pm. Though my

appointment was at 2:00, I hoped they would do all the " new patient "

stuff upon my arrival, and then my husband Mike and I could get a

bite to eat. Well, I was wrong and I didn't get checked in until

1:20 at which time the admissions person told me that they would put

the papers in early and perhaps the doctor would see me before 2:00.

So we just sat and didn't eat. At about 2:20, I was called in and

spoke with Dr. Staton who wanted to look at the x-rays and the CT

previously done. Unfortunately I didn't have them and they hadn't

been sent. So....... he ordered up a whole batch of tests (PFTs, 6-

minute walk, arterial blood gas, eight other blood tests, new x-rays

and a new CT). There was no time to do the CT that day, as it needs

pre-approval by the insurance company but everything else was done,

taking until 5:30. By the time we got out of there and found a place

to eat, it was 6:30. I was very grateful for dinner that night.

Since he did not have all the info he needed, Dr. Staton didn't

really have anything to tell me. He did " drop a seed " so that I

would consider being part of a trial, if they think I am an

appropriate candidate. In fact, he told the research person about

me, and she introduced herself and chatted up the idea. Of course,

I'd need to have a bunch of info on any proposed trial, and I'd need

to think/talk it over with Mike. The research person said

that " things might not be as bad " as I think, and " there is hope " --a

nice thing to hear.

I have an appointment with Dr Staton scheduled for 2/20 to which I am

to bring the x-rays and CT from my local pulmodude. I really don't

know anything more now than I did before I went, but I am hopeful

that in three weeks I will know much more about my own personal

health, and what (if anything) I need to do now to manage it.