Re: Virginia Mason Spine Clinic

[Guest guest]

If you don't find what you are looking for there i have a great dr down the road

at valley dr name is Dr the only guy i will let touch my back. He

specialized in spine issues.

Virginia Mason Spine Clinic

Can anyone give me input on the Virginia Mason Spine Clinic in the Seattle,

Washington area?

I phoned and spoke to someone there about my specific back injury and was told

they are familiar with it. So, I got a referral to them.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

[Guest guest]

You need to be very careful here. You need to make an appointment for an

interview you being the one doing hte interview. Fill yourself with knowledge

about your condition and make a list of questions that you want to ask and do

not leave until everyone of them is answered. We all myself included have a

great misconception that we listen the doctor talks and we do what they say.

This is a myth that we have to rid ourselves of. It's our body we have the right

to know what is going on with it and we have a right to know all about the guy

with the scalpel in his hand. How many times has he seen your kind of injury

what is typically done to fix this or can it be fixed 100%. How many of these

surgeries has he/she done and were they all sucessful. If he were you what would

he do? I know it sounds a little silly asking the doctor all the questions

simply because he is an educated man/woman doesn't mean he/she has all the

answers. Before I let someone put me to sleep and do whatever they want with my

body I want to know more about him/her and what experience do they have and how

many sucessful procedures like the one he/she is going to perform on you.I have

been having back problems and surgeries since 1973 when I was only 23 I have

learned a lot over the years.

Janice

Virginia Mason Spine Clinic

Can anyone give me input on the Virginia Mason Spine Clinic in the Seattle,

Washington area?

I phoned and spoke to someone there about my specific back injury and was told

they are familiar with it. So, I got a referral to them.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3422 - Release Date: 02/03/11

23:34:00

[Guest guest]

I trust most doctors about as far as I can throw them. I also have no qualms

about telling a stupid doctor he/she is a stupid doctor.

I chose Virginia Mason because, after interviewing them, they seem to be very

familiar with my specific type of injury. ly, I am pretty fed up with being

referred to the wrong orthopods with the wrong information, and I'm not going to

put up with it again.

I have a specific type of trauma injury, however the referring clinic sends me

out with such bizarre diagnoses as " non-specific back pain " (I " do " have

specific pain), or " multiple compression fractures "

(I only have " one " from a 1987 equestrian accident), or a bunch of other

incorrect, stupid, and/or moronic " diagnoses " which have absolutely NOTHING to

do with me or my specific trauma injury.

And let me tell you that is is soooooooo infuriating to go to a referral

appointment, trying to talk about my specific trauma injury, and then get

totally shut down as tho I don't know what I'm talking about, or I'm delusional,

or I'm lying and just trying to get attention.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

>

> You need to be very careful here. You need to make an appointment for an

interview you being the one doing the interview. Fill yourself with knowledge

about your condition and make a list of questions that you want to ask and do

not leave until everyone of them is answered. We all myself included have a

great misconception that we listen the doctor talks and we do what they say.

This is a myth that we have to rid ourselves of. It's our body we have the right

to know what is going on with it and we have a right to know all about the guy

with the scalpel in his hand. How many times has he seen your kind of injury

what is typically done to fix this or can it be fixed 100%. How many of these

surgeries has he/she done and were they all sucessful. If he were you what would

he do? I know it sounds a little silly asking the doctor all the questions

simply because he is an educated man/woman doesn't mean he/she has all the

answers. Before I let someone put me to sleep and do whatever they want with my

body I want to know more about him/her and what experience do they have and how

many sucessful procedures like the one he/she is going to perform on you.I have

been having back problems and surgeries since 1973 when I was only 23 I have

learned a lot over the years.

> Janice

[Guest guest]

Tell me about Dr . Location? Clinic?

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

>

> If you don't find what you are looking for there i have a great dr down the

road at valley dr name is Dr the only guy i will let touch my

back. He specialized in spine issues.

> Virginia Mason Spine Clinic

>

> Can anyone give me input on the Virginia Mason Spine Clinic in the Seattle,

Washington area?

>

> I phoned and spoke to someone there about my specific back injury and was told

they are familiar with it. So, I got a referral to them.

>

> Sam

> (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

>

[Guest guest]

One more thing check with your state medical board and see if this doctor has

ever been censored for any thing especially mal practice. You have to know all

there is to know.

Janice

Virginia Mason Spine Clinic

Can anyone give me input on the Virginia Mason Spine Clinic in the Seattle,

Washington area?

I phoned and spoke to someone there about my specific back injury and was told

they are familiar with it. So, I got a referral to them.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3422 - Release Date: 02/03/11

23:34:00

[Guest guest]

I do that, plus I bring visual aids. I do try to cover all the bases, but if the

doctor refuses to listen to what I have to say, or look at anything I bring to

the appointment, I'm s.o.l. My only recourse would be to walk out of the

appointment and possibly file a complaint.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

> >

> > You need to be very careful here. You need to make an appointment for an

interview you being the one doing the interview. Fill yourself with knowledge

about your condition and make a list of questions that you want to ask and do

not leave until everyone of them is answered. We all myself included have a

great misconception that we listen the doctor talks and we do what they say.

This is a myth that we have to rid ourselves of. It's our body we have the right

to know what is going on with it and we have a right to know all about the guy

with the scalpel in his hand. How many times has he seen your kind of injury

what is typically done to fix this or can it be fixed 100%. How many of these

surgeries has he/she done and were they all sucessful. If he were you what would

he do? I know it sounds a little silly asking the doctor all the questions

simply because he is an educated man/woman doesn't mean he/she has all the

answers. Before I let someone put me to sleep and do whatever they want with my

body I want to know more about him/her and what experience do they have and how

many sucessful procedures like the one he/she is going to perform on you.I have

been having back problems and surgeries since 1973 when I was only 23 I have

learned a lot over the years.

> > Janice

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3422 - Release Date: 02/03/11

23:34:00

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much.

Sam

> >

> > If you don't find what you are looking for there i have a great dr down the

road at valley dr name is Dr the only guy i will let touch my

back. He specialized in spine issues.

[Guest guest]

I got some good news yesterday.

Apparently all my whining and concern about continuously not being referred

using my actual trauma injury info has worked. Yesterday the referral people in

my clinic faxed my actual trauma injury info to the Virginia Mason Spine clinic

in Seattle. <big cheesy grin>

Hopefully now I can get this 'thing' looked at and addressed.

But I'm not going to go out and polish up my motorcycle just yet, because I

don't want to jinx anything.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

>

> I trust most doctors about as far as I can throw them. I also have no qualms

about telling a stupid doctor he/she is a stupid doctor.

>

> I chose Virginia Mason because, after interviewing them, they seem to be very

familiar with my specific type of injury. ly, I am pretty fed up with being

referred to the wrong orthopods with the wrong information, and I'm not going to

put up with it again.

>

> I have a specific type of trauma injury, however the referring clinic sends me

out with such bizarre diagnoses as " non-specific back pain " (I " do " have

specific pain), or " multiple compression fractures "

> (I only have " one " from a 1987 equestrian accident), or a bunch of other

incorrect, stupid, and/or moronic " diagnoses " which have absolutely NOTHING to

do with me or my specific trauma injury.

>

> And let me tell you that is is soooooooo infuriating to go to a referral

appointment, trying to talk about my specific trauma injury, and then get

totally shut down as tho I don't know what I'm talking about, or I'm delusional,

or I'm lying and just trying to get attention.

>

> Sam

> (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

[Guest guest]

I have an appointment at this clinic on March 3rd with Dr Friedman! They

will be focusing on my actual injury, so I'm told.

This is way cool if it's true.

Sam

(fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

>

> I got some good news yesterday.

> Apparently all my whining and concern about continuously not being referred

using my actual trauma injury info has worked. Yesterday the referral people in

my clinic faxed my actual trauma injury info to the Virginia Mason Spine clinic

in Seattle. <big cheesy grin>

>

> Hopefully now I can get this 'thing' looked at and addressed.

> But I'm not going to go out and polish up my motorcycle just yet, because I

don't want to jinx anything.

>

> Sam

> (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

[Guest guest]

I had my appointment in Seattle at Virginia Mason Spine Clinic with Dr

Friedman. Well, the 3rd time's the charm. I got a good one this time! Phew!

Finally!

I am finally getting new imaging.

The doc and I went over the crappy imaging I had, and pointed out a few

surprising things. First off, the reason my pelvis has been tipping over to my

right, and up to my rib cage is due to both transverse processes at L5 being

fractured - on my right side the tip is broken off, and the other side is broken

and bent downward with the IL (ligament) still attached which appears to be

pulling(?) to the right. It also appears the upper right side of the sacrum

might be fractured. New imaging should reveal more.

A physical therapist was also present during my appointment, and I was given a

series of physical tests. Doesn't appear I have any nerve damage. I actually

used the physical therapist to demonstrate to the doctor how my injury happened.

They very much appreciated that.

It was so refreshing being treated with respect and kindness, and to be listened

to and to have an intelligent discussion about the injuries.

Sam :-D

> >

> > I got some good news yesterday.

> > Apparently all my whining and concern about continuously not being referred

using my actual trauma injury info has worked. Yesterday the referral people in

my clinic faxed my actual trauma injury info to the Virginia Mason Spine clinic

in Seattle. <big cheesy grin>

> >

> > Hopefully now I can get this 'thing' looked at and addressed.

> > But I'm not going to go out and polish up my motorcycle just yet, because I

don't want to jinx anything.

> >

> > Sam

> > (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

>

[Guest guest]

Well, I ended up finally getting imaging done 3 weeks after it was ordered. Why

so long? It was ordered by my doc in Seattle and imaging was done at a hospital

more local to me. However, I guess the folks up here needed to first learn how

to read. Ok, so the imaging was finally done and both the reports AND copies of

imaging were supposed to be sent to the Seattle doc. I requested in person and

doctor requested over the phone. I filled out paperwork to get the imaging sent.

3 weeks later only the reports had been sent. So, we both

re-requested imaging be sent. I did this by phone and in person.

Later was told imging was sent on April 18, but it still hasn't shown up. Today

I re-re-requested imaging to be sent. I wonder if it will ever show up. Perhaps

the people in charge of sending imaging haven't learned how to do that yet. arg

I have a doc ready, willing, and able to read my imaging so we can proceed with

whatever treatment I may need.

This is pretty frustrating. On May 29, 2011, it will be exactly 24 months since

I aws injured. Word of advice: never get a back injury in Bellingham, Wa.

Sam :-o

(PNW great granny)

> >

> > I have an appointment at this clinic on March 3rd with Dr Friedman!

They will be focusing on my actual injury, so I'm told.

> > This is way cool if it's true.

> >

> > Sam

> > (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

> >

[Guest guest]

Yes, I usually bring my imaging with me to appointments, however I had the

latest imaging done after my doc appointment, which was 108 miles south of me in

Seattle.

If the dufuses up here can't get it in gear, I will go purchase my own copies

and send them myself.

Sam :-o

> > >

> > > I have an appointment at this clinic on March 3rd with Dr Friedman!

They will be focusing on my actual injury, so I'm told.

> > > This is way cool if it's true.

> > >

> > > Sam

> > > (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

> > >

>

[Guest guest]

And after I sent this to the group, I got a phone call from my Seattle doc's

office. After some more " nudging " , the images were finally sent electronically

to them. FINALLY! Monday my doc and I will at long last be able to discuss my

boo-boo's and if/how/when I can get 'fixed'...

Sam :-D

(PNW great granny)

> > > >

> > > > I have an appointment at this clinic on March 3rd with Dr

Friedman! They will be focusing on my actual injury, so I'm told.

> > > > This is way cool if it's true.

> > > >

> > > > Sam

> > > > (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

> > > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It was getting my new imaging sent to my new orthopod in Seattle that they had a

problem doing. I just do not know why, but stuff like that has happened a lot.

My way down the path of getting this back injury addressed has been filled with

obstacle after obstacle.

Sam

> > > > >

> > > > > I have an appointment at this clinic on March 3rd with Dr

Friedman! They will be focusing on my actual injury, so I'm told.

> > > > > This is way cool if it's true.

> > > > >

> > > > > Sam

> > > > > (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

> > > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 9.0.894 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3607 - Release Date: 04/30/11

11:34:00

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This just in...the imaging my local hospital was supposed to have sent was

incomplete. Of course it was...sigh...

So, I just sent my own copies of my imaging to my doctor myself this morning.

Sam

(insert primal scream here)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I have an appointment at this clinic on March 3rd with Dr

Friedman! They will be focusing on my actual injury, so I'm told.

> > > > > > This is way cool if it's true.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sam

> > > > > > (fractured L5 transverse process with ligament damage)

> > > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > Version: 9.0.894 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3607 - Release Date: 04/30/11

11:34:00

> >

> >

> >