After being assured that someone from Mayo would call me by Dec. 5, it didn’t happen. Since I was working all day today in the VC, I gave them a call, once again. I finally got to talk to the surgery scheduler, and she knew nothing about my request for surgery.
More photos tonight from my boat trip through the swamp on Sunday.
So I recited the story for the umpteenth time. 
Great Egret boogying out at our approach.
This young lady took down all of my pertinent information, but gave me some rather interesting things to think about. Apparently, the doctor’s first scheduled surgery day for in-patients falls on December 25, and the Operating Room is closed on that day. I got the impression that in-patient surgeries are only scheduled once a week, and guess what is just a week later? Yep, New Years Eve. Do you think the operating room will be open then?
There were some other details to take care of like getting me okayed for surgery before actually scheduling a date. I won’t go into all of those details, but she promised to leave a message on my cell phone with the results of her efforts to get me scheduled. Yea right. I’ve heard that before.
Adult little blue heron.
Have I mentioned before that I have very poor cell phone reception here and my calls to Mayo are made from the land line phone at the VC? I explained that to her, and she assured me she would leave a message. She also said she had tomorrow off, so I probably wouldn’t hear from her until Monday… something about getting my medical records from Jacksonville, FL, where they would access my Rochester, MN, Mayo records.
White ibis on take off.
Can you imagine my shock tonight when I got home from work and there was a message on my cell phone? Holly had actually left me a message that the records from Jacksonville would probably arrive to her on Monday, and she would endeavor to get me scheduled somehow before the end of the year for surgery. Halleluiah!! There will be a couple of appointments before that, but I’m ready to rumble. Finally, I have a time frame to work with.
I know this isn’t the usual travel log type of subject to post about, but writing about this medical journey helps me deal with the stress of it all. I thank you for listening…
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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Good luck with getting your surgery scheduled.
ReplyDeleteI know you are so relieved, after all that you've had to endure, in this scheduling nightmare. As a medical professional, I can say that this inability to follow-through is just scandalous. There is no excuse for all of this ball-dropping. If it happens one more time, call the MD office and ask to speak to the office manager. Then go to the nursing director. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat news. You may have finally found someone that knows what she is doing. I know there are some that will disagree with me, but I am all for a country-wide computer system for medical records. There is no reason why your info couldn't be entered one time, the next person just call it up and know exactly what you need. Drives me nuts to keep repeating myself with each doctor I see.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy for you. It is very stressful not to know what will happen. I hope the News will be good next week.
ReplyDeleteEvery journey starts with a single step (sometimes aided with a cane). Will keep the fingers crossed that everything now falls into place for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty good news. Be even better when your surgery date is confirmed. And it sounds like you will get to be a new woman for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news, Judy! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Stoltz said
ReplyDeleteWonderful news, Judy. I am glad you have kept us up to date on your struggle to get s surgery appointment. It alerts us seniors to what my be in store for us with medical issues. I think you will do fine and recover quickly because of your personality and your persistence.
Glad to hear you finally got SOME good news! Its nerve-wracking just waiting on something like this... Meanwhile I hope you cna now relax and enjoy yourself till then. Love the Blue Heron photo. Such a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteI hope the doctor is more organized than his staff. At least you seem to finally have reached someone who follows through. Patients have lives too and things to organize and plan when they have a big event like this coming up. You would think they would get that. Hopes things run smoother now.
ReplyDeleteWe are so GLAD to listen! Now let's just hope the follow-up actually happens. We need you to take care of you so you can keep on providing us with all those wonderful nature lessons with pictures!
ReplyDeleteFinally, some good news! Way to go, Judy!
ReplyDeleteNot every post has to be about travel etc. I hope you know that your followers are more than just readers. We are your friends and care about you. We want to know what is happening.
ReplyDeleteIf you ARE scheduled during the Holiday weeks you will either get better than average care because you are one of few patients, or less than great care because the senior nurses etc. are off.
I know you are ready, but if it is delayed it is not absolutely terrible.
keep us posted.
I hope this one does as she says she will and all goes well for you. Have you found a place to park for recovery?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear some progress is finally being made! No need to apologize for posting non-travel topics-- now's the time to lean on us readers to offer whatever help or connections we can to make this challenging time just a little bit easier on you!
ReplyDeleteWell its about time somebody does something. Hope they get you in soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures as always
I agree with Merikay - we want to know what is going on in your world, be it hip replacement of snakes or birds or bears or motorhome issues. Just glad to hear that somebody is finally doing something to get this taken care of. Enough with the pain.
ReplyDeleteMany of us couldn't put together a blog if we didn't have our medical complaints to write about. Right now there isn't much else in my life, for sure.
ReplyDeleteIn case they can't get you scheduled at your convenience, why do you have to stick with Mayo? I can't remember if you are old enough to be on Medicare, but if you are you can go to any specialist you want with no referral necessary.
Now that you are "in the system", I sure hope things will go more smoothly.
ReplyDeleteGeez, you are definitely struggling with the "system!" Why does it have to be so hard--guess your doc changing hospitals didn't help matters. Glad you seem to have found the right person this time.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're making progress in the right direction ... that's a a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIn case you didn't get it yet: we're here for you, just bring it on! I'm glad to help you de-stress a little, so often you make my day with your interesting and funny blog and beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteTalking about pictures, that Ibis shot is a piece of art!
Better to have the surgery on New Year's Eve before the party than on New Year's Day after the party!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty damning commentary on the quality of office help in medical offices. We have the same thing here in Central California. Don't know what has made this a common reality but it's rampant here. Calling the office manager is a good way to proceed if you end up having more trouble. Everything comes right down to that person!
ReplyDeleteEmjay
So incredibly frustrated for you that it's taking so long to do something that shouldn't be that difficult. Hope this person finally comes through for you!
ReplyDeleteGood to catch up with you and hear a bit of good news. I wishing that all goes well for you from now on. It must be really difficult to deal with this kind of stuff and not get completely discouraged. If we all only talked about "travel topics" our blogs would be something entirely different than what they are, so keep writing about all of it, Judy. I think you have a pretty good entourage that cares.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you finally have someone who is working on your behalf- our fingers are crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the MD's have a CLUE how their "staff" is handling the front desk or the scheduling..Sometimes here in Sandwich area, I feel like the "phone handlers" try to play Doctor, or at least run interference for the Doc...and that is NOT what they are hired for. (Having worked for a Doc, I once WAS a tech and scheduler). ...Passing important messages on to the Doctor are CRITICAL..or you should be let go. A.K.A. FIRED!!
ReplyDeleteAs for being bothered by a medical blog...I have my own medical agenda, and I love reading all blogs..Sometimes that's what IS happening in our life, after all!! I hope you get scheduled Monday..If not, open up a BIG can of Whoop Ass!!!
Judy, don't worry about whether it's a regular blog!
ReplyDeleteWe care about your surgery and getting rid of the pain!
Fingers crossed all of the info is received by Monday so they can schedule you before the end of the year! Kathy
Sounds like your persistence has paid off. Yay!
ReplyDeleteI know you will be relieved to have it all done and over with. . .wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteJanice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing Blog
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It sounds like you have found someone with a brain to help you. Hopefully, you will have some more answers tomorrow. (Monday)
ReplyDelete