New consult, with Dr. Gagner, due to pancreatitis

October 27, 2001

I have been in contact with a few other surgeons to see about doing a DS on

me because at my first consult with a surgeon, the surgeon did not have

enough confidence that he would be able to do a DS on me because I had

pancreatitis a year ago. He said it was probable that he would have to

switch to the Scopinaro. Dr. G. said there was " no problem " doing the DS on

me. I will schedule my new consult for December. I will have new insurance

by then, but probably only for a month, that should cover it, so hopefully

everything can be expedited. Any Dr. G.'s patients that can give me any

information that will make this process go quicker for me, I would appreciate

it!

I will be coming from PA, near Baltimore, so will have a little bit of a

drive. My friend suggested I take a train when I go for surgery. I imagine

I will have to stay in NY for a few days after discharge. Does anyone have

any ideas about an inexpensive hotel to stay at? I am on a tight budget. I

don't think I can afford $155 a night at the place the hospital recommends.

I am hoping my mom goes with me, so I would be paying for her to stay there

while I am in the hospital. If she can't go, then I would just have to stay

there shortly after discharge. Is the train station any where near the

hospital and Dr. G.'s office? I feel I am getting ahead of myself here, but

I am so excited again about the possibilities.

Does anyone know what tests Dr. G. requires? I know there is the psych eval

and nutritionist thing. I would like to maybe schedule things now, for

December, so I don't have the worry about not being able to get the tests

scheduled in time.

Any advice about going about doing this would be greatly appreciated. I will

probably have to travel to NY on my own for the surgery, if I can't get my

mom to go with me. I am apprehensive about doing that. I am ok in my car in

big cities-my own little security zone, but I don't know about being out in

the wide open space on my own. I will feel lost.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me.

Pam

PS, does Dr. G. have a good online support group anywhere?

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