On January 20, 2011...
Dave, nothing about your journal entry was funny, but I am, nonetheless, laughing my ass off in response to your incredibly thorough list of questions. I have finally met someone who went into a meeting with a surgeon with more questions than me!
My treatment team got used to my "notebook," and when I saw them coming, to swoop through the unit and do rounds, I would grab for my notebook full of all the questions I had thought up since the last time they flew through and, at first, I certainly saw an eye or two roll, although, it was only ever the students who rolled their eyes. Residents, Interns, and the treatment team leaders, the full-time surgeons, welcomed my questions, knowing that an informed patient and proactive patient is a patient that is gonna have the best chance at the most thorough recovery.
So, Dave, you ask your questions! You go, man!
And, on the other hand, remember that the doctors sometimes have excellent technical skills which may use up too much brain space, such that they don't have much left for social pleasantries. The guy you met with sounds outstanding and you're fortunate if the rest you get are as top-notch as well. Don't be surprised if you get a real dud in there somewhere. Put some trust in the process and in God to walk you through, even if a particular medical care person is a jackwagon.
I can see the members of TEAM DAVE assembling here. You're doing a nice job of gathering your supports!
In the meantime, remember the basics - sleep, water, exercise, and nutrition!
Love,
Marlo Archer
Wisco Class of '86
Founding Member of TEAM DAVE!
My treatment team got used to my "notebook," and when I saw them coming, to swoop through the unit and do rounds, I would grab for my notebook full of all the questions I had thought up since the last time they flew through and, at first, I certainly saw an eye or two roll, although, it was only ever the students who rolled their eyes. Residents, Interns, and the treatment team leaders, the full-time surgeons, welcomed my questions, knowing that an informed patient and proactive patient is a patient that is gonna have the best chance at the most thorough recovery.
So, Dave, you ask your questions! You go, man!
And, on the other hand, remember that the doctors sometimes have excellent technical skills which may use up too much brain space, such that they don't have much left for social pleasantries. The guy you met with sounds outstanding and you're fortunate if the rest you get are as top-notch as well. Don't be surprised if you get a real dud in there somewhere. Put some trust in the process and in God to walk you through, even if a particular medical care person is a jackwagon.
I can see the members of TEAM DAVE assembling here. You're doing a nice job of gathering your supports!
In the meantime, remember the basics - sleep, water, exercise, and nutrition!
Love,
Marlo Archer
Wisco Class of '86
Founding Member of TEAM DAVE!
David Fanson You are hilarious! Thanks for your support, humor, and advice. Your enthusiasm for Team Dave has in ... Read more
Whoa! Team Dave T-Shirts! How awesome! I'll take a Large. Lemme know how much they are 'cause the sick person doesn't have to buy them. In fact, I suggest you "sell" them for about 1.5 - 2 times the actual cost and use the profit to fund your lawn-mower. And, if you feel funny about selling them, that's a role I can take on. LOL! It's always easier to ask someone for money on behalf of someone else!
Okay, but what I am struck with today is how delightful it can be to actually know you have surgery coming, to meet your surgeons in advance, to choose your hospital, and be able to mentally prepare yourself for the journey.
In my situation, I was just minding my business on a normal work day and later that day I woke up and "met" 3 of my 15 surgeons. Nevermind if I liked 'em or felt comfortable with 'em, they were already mine and had already made some executive decisions about my innards in the absence of me being able to have an opinion. I met most of the other 15 over the next few months and I never did actually meet 3 people who had their hands on my organs that day. Weird.
Anyhoo, it sounds like everyone on your medical team is on the same page and expects the same procedures and outcomes for you.
Now, what is a Dave Walker? Like, do you need people to come to your house and walk you? That's a good idea. Walking passes much more quickly if you have friends come. I had several fitness-minded friends come push me in a wheelchair before I could walk. They felt helpful and it was good exercise for them and it was good for me to get out in the air, too.
Keep up the great work! This could actually be alot of fun in some ways.
Love,
Marlo
Charter Member of TEAM DAVE