SwiftVets.com Forum Index SwiftVets.com
Service to Country
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Positive Margins Are Not Acceptable-Another Surgery May 12th
Goto page Previous  1, 2
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    SwiftVets.com Forum Index -> Geedunk & Scuttlebutt
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
fortdixlover
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy


Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 1476

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Positive Margins Are Not Acceptable-Another Surgery May Reply with quote

SBD wrote:
Dr. Novick called me on Monday and immediately said that the Kidney should be removed. He gave me the names of two surgeons in California, one from USC and one from UCSF. After discussing my options with my family, it was decided that the best course of action was to go to Cleveland and have Dr. Novick perform the surgery. I will have the surgery May 12th and will leave for Cleveland May 9th. I am not worried about the surgery and know that I can beat this Cancer, as long as I know I am receiving the proper care. Dr. Novick is one of, if not the best in the country, so I know I am good hands.

SBD



SBD,

As a doc myself, with your positive margins and an "aggressive" cancer, I agree with the plans for removal.

I think the response to your question about the 3 month period before the scan that "the cancer would be caught in time before it could spread" is cavalier (Merriam Webster online - marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of important matters) and I disagree with it most strongly.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

-- FDL
_________________
"Millions For Defense, Not One Cent For Tribute" - Thomas Jefferson on paying ransom to Muslim corsairs (pirates).


Last edited by fortdixlover on Mon May 08, 2006 1:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
fortdixlover
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy


Joined: 12 May 2004
Posts: 1476

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dusty wrote:
Deuce said:
Quote:
SBD,
I want to join your friends here in wishing you a full and speedy recovery...and I also want to congratulate you on holding your line with your Medical practitioners...Cleveland, et al. I also want to add that, as a Vet, you have the opportunity for a 3rd opinion, your local VA clinic/hospital. (before I get trashed, please accept that I only have a sample of one, me, to base my opinions of VA medical care on). We all remember the VA medical of 20-30 years ago, that picture is long gone. The VA today has the best doctors in the country in a lot of areas. And guys, they know us better than we know ourselves! I also am in the early stage of a process to confirm a rare blood disease (in the general population, tho' not so rare amongst us Vietnam Vets, unfortunately).


Holding the line with medical practitioners is necessary in today's medical climate. For the Mother of medical screwups followed by legal ones, see this sad story.

In this case the margins turned out clear and the tumor relatively slow growing ... but the cavalier attitudes from both the medical and legal professions are stunning.

-- FDL
_________________
"Millions For Defense, Not One Cent For Tribute" - Thomas Jefferson on paying ransom to Muslim corsairs (pirates).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jwb7605
Rear Admiral


Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 690
Location: Colorado

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SBD:

I've got "positive vibes" about your having surgery for this problem (which happens to fall on my 58th birthday), if that's any help.

For what it's worth, I got (or am getting) past similar problems.

Nonetheless, be aware I'm keeping you in my prayers.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
SBD
Admiral


Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 1022

PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 2:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

fortdixlover wrote:


Holding the line with medical practitioners is necessary in today's medical climate. For the Mother of medical screwups followed by legal ones, see this sad story.

In this case the margins turned out clear and the tumor relatively slow growing ... but the cavalier attitudes from both the medical and legal professions are stunning.

-- FDL


I am arming myself for the medical battles as we speak. Apparently it is up to my Medical Group to make the decision to pay for my surgery in Cleveland. I used a sample letter from http://patientsarepowerful.org for my latest battle. Here is my letter, I will let you know how it turns out. Dr. Clune is the in network Oncologist they required that I meet with.

Quote:
May 4, 2006


SHARP COMMUNITY MEDICAL GROUP

ATTENTION: KYLE W. SEELEY / SHARP COMMUNITY MEDICAL GROUP

RE: URGENT APPEAL FOR SALVATORE B. D'ANNA
Member # xxxxx-xxx

Dear Dr. Seeley and Sharp Community Medical Group,


I am writing Sharp Community Medical Group to request the authorization to obtain services outside the contracted area for my medical care. Specifically, I request the authorization for access to the Cleveland Clinic for the treatment of my illness. My current physician/oncologist Dr. Clune, has stated that I must undergo another surgery to remove my kidney due to the positive margins from my March 31, 2006 surgery and is suggesting immediate procedural treatment. I am convinced that the Cleveland Clinic will provide me the highest quality medical care for my condition and it is therefore medically necessary that I obtain authorization as soon as possible. Dr. Clune has stated that he will write a letter of recommendation for the Cleveland Clinic if it is needed by my provider. I understand that Pacificare maintains contracts with the Cleveland Clinic. Sharp Community Medical Group should allow this immediate request to obtain services outside contracted area.




Failure to provide ME IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO the cleveland clinic for my illness envokes imminent and serious threat to my health. I am, therefore, requesting an expedited MD review of my appeal for APPROVAL OF MY REQUEST. Please provide me with a decision as soon as possible and no later than three days from the date of this appeal.

Dr. Clune can provide the documentation of my medical condition, and information supporting the medical necessity of my request for services outside contracted area. Please let me know if any additional information will be helpful to my request for coverage. I have already been scheduled for surgery on May 12, 2006 and will be leaving for Cleveland on May 9, 2006 to prepare for my surgery. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Andrew C. Novick, Chairman of the Glickman Urological Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Novick can be reached at (216) 444-2886. I can be reached at xxx-xxx-xxxx.


Thank you for your immediate attention in this matter.



Sincerely,


Salvatore B. D'Anna


SBD
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    SwiftVets.com Forum Index -> Geedunk & Scuttlebutt All times are GMT
Goto page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group