Raymond's Journal

Susan Lynn  Raymond- I think you're going to need to call and pin them down to a date. There are so many moving parts, sometimes through no fault of your own, the communication breaks down. Hopefully, you'll get some results this week. Good luck!

Raymond Dubois  Thank you Susan for the comment. I have been calling MGH as well as my local Cardiologist and have been told the info has been sent to the "Scheduler" . I have been fed much misinformation so it's hard to know if they're telling the truth. Very frustrating as I am full time caregiver for my wife so I need my "Pep" back. How long do I wait before I go elsewhere. I found out that there are other options, here in New Hampshire, but they may be backed up too. I'm almost 89 so I don't have forever. And would Medicare cover a new round of tests, office visits, etc.????????????

Susan Lynn  Raymond - I had an unresponsive cardiologist and as soon as I found another one and they requested a transfer of my records, the first one called immediately. I know the fatigue you're feeling, but I don't know how widely available the mitral clip is, so there may be a way to involve your primary care doc - they may have greater success in getting you booked. I am so sorry you are going through this when you have caregiving responsibilities for your wife. Your test results can be transferred, but your fastest route is probably going to be with the original surgeon and facility. It doesn't hurt to find out if you can locate another facility, but don't compromise on the surgeon as this is a fairly new technique. See if your doc or nurse case manager will make the calls. I'll say an extra prayer that you get an expeditious response. ❤

Raymond Dubois  Thank you Susan. (That's my daughter's name). My primary care doctor has already been involved but it hasn't done any good. My local hospital in Dover, NH is now owned by Mass General and that hasn't helped either. The local Cardiologist is the one that referred me to MGH (of course). I have since found out that there are other hospitals in NH that do this procedure but they may have long wait times too. Today I'm trying to contact the scheduling people at MGH. Wish me luck. !!!!!!!!!!!

Susan Lynn  Raymond - I'm not sure if you're set only on the mitraclip, but I had a mini-thoracotomy (minimally- invasive side entry) mitral valve repair. It was virtually painless and I only spent 3 days in the hospital. It might be easier to get on the schedule for a different procedure.
I wish you all the luck in the world - I know that it's difficult to wait when you have a date, but it's completely unacceptable for you to have to wait to get return calls from scheduling. Please keep me posted. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. ❤

Raymond Dubois  I received word today that my Mitral Clip procedure is scheduled for 02/01/2019. This is a big relief because I was beginning to think they had forgotten about me.

Thanks Susan for the encouragement.

John Morales  Red obviously it appears they are not overly concerned , if it was urgent im sure they would of tried to move up the date , m habing valvue repair and my Dr told me it was ok to wait a few months to do it. so I wouldn't stress to much but maybe asking what their scheduling plans are.

Phyllis Petersen  The waiting is always tough. I was told in January that I needed my mitral valve repaired, but surgery wasn't until October, and then only because the doctor had a change in his scheduling or it might have been November or December. Scheduling all the tests was a pain too. There's no reason you can't check in and ask what they think the timeline will be. You need to make plans, which are hard to do without that information.

Phyllis Petersen  I hope you have a good support system to get you through surgery and recovery, and that worrying about you won't add too much burden to your wife's struggles.