Recently I wrote about my experience in the OR on the second floor @ UCSD THORTON Hospital In LA JOLLA. I survived that quite nicely with only a small complication that sent me to the ER for a quick infusion of antibiotics. As usual the care was exemplary. Dr. Shneir was amiable and very personal in taking care of me. He listened and quickly got my problem taken care of with great expediency. The nurses were proffessional and treated me like a human being instead of a number. I was there for about 4 hours but that was not due to waiting to be seen. IV fluids do take time!
I will be returning to the hospital on Tuesday to follow up and have stitches removed. I am now the proud owner of a new Medtronic Infusion Pump. This will be the second one, replacing the pump that malfunctioned. This pump delivers pain medication on a 24 hour, round-the-clock schedule. I won't boor you with details of my medical problems. but I will say that in the 12 years I have been using the pump it has been a "Godsend!" Dr. Mark Wallace has literally saved my life.
Now every month I will return to Moores Cancer Clinic @ Thorton to have my pump refilled. This is where the fun starts! My "ex" and I are known as the "brownie people." Every month Tom makes brownies for everyone in the clinic. Our first stop is with my former pump nurse "BETH." She now works in the Urology department and is fondly known by all of her patients as the "Pecker Checker!" I will leave that to your imaginations! Beth passes brownies out to just about the whole clinic. Beth also takes the brunt of all my "ex'" teasing and taunting and harassment. Beth gives it right back to him. At least someone is not afraid of him! (actually he is a big teddy bear!) From there I move on to the "pain clinic" where I'm usually met by Vesna. While she is taking my vital signs Tom is visiting Ava who receives the second batch of brownies and is quickly met by any staff that isn't busy @ the time and hungry! Now "Thomas" seems to always make it there first. He is one of the medical assistants and quite a "kick!" He is always happy and genuinely loves life. I also am met by "CHU." She has really come into her own personality since starting at the clinic. She is no longer shy and can always bring a smile to my face. On occassion CHU is responsible for filling my pump. Laura always hits the brownies about the same time as Thomas. She seems to be the "head honcho" and I have only recently had the pleasure of meeting her. Maggie and Sarah are always running around trying to keep the doctors who are performing procedures happy. That's a BIG job in itself. If you are there for a procedure they are always on hand in the room to keep you calm, pat your hand, and assist the doctor. Finally I come to Michelle. She is my narcotic connection." She gets to administer my drugs, which means she is in charge of making sure I get the right meds in my pump. My "ex" is usually on hand to give her a bad time and harass in any way he can! Now Michelle is not the only one who puts up with his antics, but she is always a good sport!
Our monthly visits to the clinic are one of the highlights of my life! Everyone is like family and they are always looking out for me. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to take care of all of my needs. They are proffessional and they treat everyone as if there situation was the most important in the world.
If we were to enter into a "GOVERNMENT RUN" health care program, there is no way they good spend the time to treat you as a human being. The personalized service I receive from the doctors, the nurses ,and the rest of the staff is phenominal!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! E.A.MAHER
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