Can't get in to see Dr. Rand

[Guest guest]

It was Priscilla. I could almost hear her eyes roll through the

phone. I am going to put a call into the University of Chicago

tomorrow and see where that will take me and I am going to call the

orthopedist I saw today. I feel like I am preparing college

transcripts to a major university.

>

> Dear Leominster,

>

> I, too, have been very put off by Priscilla in Dr. Rand's

office. I have

> seen him, but found him very cold and uncomforting. He is,

however, a very

> reknowned surgeon, and worth the trouble!

>

> The folks who tell you to get all your information together are

exactly

> right! He is not a pain doctor (I'll give him that much). Most

of the time they

> do not promise that surgery will get rid of pain. He needs to

know about

> your rod, that it's there, or they are there, and maybe your

degrees of

> curvature and flatback. That will get you into his office.

Someone else has

> suggested you bring that up, and that is so

correct. " Fusion " , " rods " , " flatback " ,

> are key words. Keep trying!

>

> C.

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you have HMO (instead of PPO) insurance, which may

influence a physician's decision about seeing a patient.

--

> >

> > I have just one more question for you. Did they get your

> insurance

> > information before giving you that disappointing answer?

> Hopefully that is

> > not the issue, but I can't help wondering.

> >

> > Sharon

[Guest guest]

Yup. I had BC/BS also, under the name Anthem, HMO Blue. The insurance did

seem to be a non-issue.

[ ] Re: Can't get in to see Dr. Rand

> yes they did but i have blue cross blue shield which is pretty good.

> I think?

>

>> >>

>> >> My dear,

>> >>

>> >> I am horrified that you were treated this way; coping with the

>> > medical

>> >> problem is tough enough without having to deal with the c--p

> that

>> >> support staff like to dish out... The others are right,

> however.

>> >> Based upon what you've now shared with the group you WILL get to

>> > see

>> >> him.

>> >>

>> >> In the meantime know that each and every one of us are praying

> for

>> > the

>> >> stree to ease up, and believe me, it will.

>> >>

>> >> Already I'm sensing I'm maybe the oldest in the group; PLEASE

>> > believe

>> >> me that it'll get worked out.

>> >>

>> >> Jane and San Diego

>> >>

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to learn that it was Priscilla. She seemed so sweet when I met

her.

[ ] Re: Can't get in to see Dr. Rand

> It was Priscilla. I could almost hear her eyes roll through the

> phone. I am going to put a call into the University of Chicago

> tomorrow and see where that will take me and I am going to call the

> orthopedist I saw today. I feel like I am preparing college

> transcripts to a major university.

>

>

>

>

>>

>> Dear Leominster,

>>

>> I, too, have been very put off by Priscilla in Dr. Rand's

> office. I have

>> seen him, but found him very cold and uncomforting. He is,

> however, a very

>> reknowned surgeon, and worth the trouble!

>>

>> The folks who tell you to get all your information together are

> exactly

>> right! He is not a pain doctor (I'll give him that much). Most

> of the time they

>> do not promise that surgery will get rid of pain. He needs to

> know about

>> your rod, that it's there, or they are there, and maybe your

> degrees of

>> curvature and flatback. That will get you into his office.

> Someone else has

>> suggested you bring that up, and that is so

> correct. " Fusion " , " rods " , " flatback " ,

>> are key words. Keep trying!

>>

>> C.

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Leominster (sorry don't know your name),

I sent you a note directly after approving your message yesterday

from my work account but that may have taken some time to get to

. I really think you just may have reached the wrong person

yesterday and perhaps did not communicate your proplem well enough.

Just bad timing and it is HARD when you are in pain to stay calm and

focused and not just crumble when there is the tiniest bit of

contension. Don't worry, you will get in. He is busy...but I am

confident that you'll get an appointment. Having the local Ortho's

help would be good. I sent you my number. Call me.

RE: the office moving. They are just moving up a floor out of the

Spine Center. Rand's " business " is so specific and unlike the rest of

the docs in that group that I beleive he feels it is better for him

for a variety of reasons not be a part of the group. Plus, the Spine

Center is contemplating moving out to the suburbs (Needham, MA).

PA, I am sorry I dropped the ball on the dinner. I am for

meeting at the hospital. I think it would allow us to chat for as

long as we liked and the price is right. Dinner in the North End is

always wonderful but parking is next to impossible...even with the

handicap placard!!

Bonnie, RE: my SI joints. Rand's only advice was cushiony shoes. I

think they are going downhill fast which scares me. I have been

having pain radiating from my groin out to my hip and in my behind.

Some nights it even wakes me up. This stuff is endless...I am making

peace with that.

I need to do some work...best to all.

Ann

[Guest guest]

So glad you're feeling better today!! I knew you would. Believe me,

we've all been where you were yesterday mentally. But I hope one of

you will talk to Rand's office mgr. and get a complaint launched

against that Priscilla.