Well, I'm headed out the door

[kellyt]

I have an appointment to get the stitches in my arm removed and not a day too soon!  They itch like mad!  However, looking at the incision it doesn't look to me like they are ready to come out.  I hope this isn't a wasted trip.

At least I avoided infection (so far) and any further problems.  Now just cross your fingers there is no unseen damage to the fistula.  My gut tells me "no", but who really knows.

Bye!   





EDITED:  Topic moved to appropriate section - Bajanne, Moderator

[kellyt]

Wasted trip.  I knew they weren't ready to come out!  Another fine example of how we, the patients, need to speak up when some receptionist (no offense to receptionists everywhere) says "you have to come in within XYZ days to get the stitches out".    $40 copay for him to say they aren't ready - come back next Tuesday.  With today's technology I should have said "Give me the doctor's email and I'll send him a photo.  Then he can determine if they are ready to come out."  Visually you can see the incision has not closed.  I told her this over the phone, but she said I shouldn't wait until next week.   

Plus, his office is inside a hospital.  The waiting room was packed so I told the receptionist I would be waiting in the hallway.  They said that when I come on Tuesday they would take me straight back and the nurse will remove the stitches.  I told them "There had better not be another co-pay".

[paris]

         Why doesn't anyone listen?   I am sorry it was a wasted trip.  Sometime the patient knows more than the doctor.

[jessup]

What a bugger mate
 
I think your idea of the email photo is brilliant
Yet again - the patient knew better
Lets hope you don't get slugged more $$ on Tuesday mate

[Sluff]

I know that is a real drag, I have the same problem with my Doctors and those darn co-pays. The itching means it is healing I think. Thats what Mom told me when I was a kid anyway.

[okarol]

   I get so tired of people telling us stuff and wasting time - LISTEN TO US!

[Chris]

Some of the doctors at my transplant hospital are experimenting with the email system that allows to send pictures or files. Unfortunately the transplant clinic is not part of this. 

They are working on where you have online acess to lab results, but so far the so called electronic request for an appointment is a waste of time since it's just like calling them since they call you and tell you when the next aointment is available.. It will list your next apointmens coming up on some docs. Stll needs some work.

Hope they will not charge you again Kelly.

[nursewratchet]

Some of the doctors at my transplant hospital are experimenting with the email system that allows to send pictures or files. Unfortunately the transplant clinic is not part of this. 

They are working on where you have online acess to lab results, but so far the so called electronic request for an appointment is a waste of time since it's just like calling them since they call you and tell you when the next aointment is available.. It will list your next apointmens coming up on some docs. Stll needs some work.

Hope they will not charge you again Kelly.

  Chris, aren't you the computer guru?  Help them to fix this!

[kellyt]

They won't charge me again.

[Chris]

Some of the doctors at my transplant hospital are experimenting with the email system that allows to send pictures or files. Unfortunately the transplant clinic is not part of this. 

They are working on where you have online acess to lab results, but so far the so called electronic request for an appointment is a waste of time since it's just like calling them since they call you and tell you when the next aointment is available.. It will list your next apointmens coming up on some docs. Stll needs some work.

Hope they will not charge you again Kelly.

  Chris, aren't you the computer guru?  Help them to fix this!

Sure, as long as I can  a few of these idiots there. My local doc has it where you can request an appointment from his site and it will tell you when the next appoint is available on a given range and time. His sight isn't all that fancy either, but atleast his works. Unfortunately I kep forgetting to use it when I need to.

[kitkatz]

I am on Kaiser's computer system. I can get test results and email my doc as needed.  I even get responses from the doctor.

[kidney4traci]

Wow Kaiser has something that actually benefits the PT?  I was on Kaiser in CA growing up.  Not found memories...  Kelly sorry about the wasted trip.  Itching is a good sign however.  You probably are an expert now after both surgeries so recent.

[kellyt]

"Medically" itching is good, but realistically itching is horrible!!!!           I think it's healing slower than normal because of the CellCept.  I hope she cuts them out tomorrow a.m. and they don't wait longer.

[Chris]

Yes, healing is slower and sucks. When I had eye surgery, the immuno meds interferred with my eye healing. what suppose to take a month took me 3 months before I had vision back. However it is expected.

[David13]

They won't charge me again.

That is good to hear.  It seems the medical profession has become nothing but the pursuit of money.

[kellyt]

I finally got the stitches out today.      But he's putting me on Amoxicillin due to some redness.  I'm waiting for my transplant coordinator to call them and find out dosage and such before I go pick it up.  The itching has already decreased significantly just getting the stitches out.

I wasn't charged a co-pay, but then again when the nurse released me I walked straight out the door and didn't stop at the check-out desk.       If they bill me I will call my insurance and complain and tell them the situation.  This should be a follow-up with no co-pay charge.