Made a wasted trip earlier this afternoon. Son had an appointment for a back procedure at the St. Francis medical building at 12:30pm. We get there, he gets signed in, then later taken to the back. A few minutes later, he returns to the waiting area where I am ( Read more... )

Sigh. Ochsner just called with an appointment time for my next doctor visit, but I almost missed the call, because they called the cellphone instead of the home phone. Almost didn't hear the cell ringing since it's in the next room on a charger ( Read more... )

Two more doctor visits before the end of the month. A visit to the orthopaedic doctor for a follow-up on my shoulder surgery in the morning, then the regular visit with my primary care doctor on the 28th.

My appetite has been gradually decreasing again, so I may need to see my esophagus doctor again soon.

They were handing out masks to people coming into the hospital for appointments yesterday. Had to get the person handing them out to tie it for me (I've NEVER been able to tie anything BEHIND me). Still have the one they gave me. Kept it tied, just slipped it off over my head. Mom also reminded me about the box of twenty masks she bought for me ( Read more... )

Yesterday, when I was in the room at the hospital waiting for the doctor to come in for my follow-up appointment from the CT scan, I overheard a phone conversation on the other side of the door. A hospital employee was calling a man who had a post-op appointment scheduled. Because of this covid-19 mess, the hospital is trying to have as FEW people ( Read more... )

When I got to Ochsner Hospital this morning for my "pre-admission testing" appointment, I had no problem finding a parking spot close to the entrance for a change. When I entered, there were three tables set up by the doors directly inside. I was greeted by a nurse with gloves and a mask who took my temperature with an infared thermometer, then ( Read more... )

Went for respiratory/heart tests at the hospital yesterday morning. Won't be able to take a full fledged shower until tomorrow though. They have me hooked to a "Holter monitor" for that length of time. Have to return it tomorrow, same day as the pre-op testing for my next esophageal dilation procedure. Definitely time for another procedure. ( Read more... )

Well, this Friday the 13th is starting to SUCK. Luckily, my next esophageal dilation procedure was rescheduled a few days ago for next Wednesday. However, after eating a bit of lunch, I got the dizziness/blown out overbright vision again and had to lay down a while. After I got up, mom came into the room about an hour ago and said she called Uncle ( Read more... )

Had an appointment at 9:00am this morning over at the hospital (yes, three days after being released for the lengthy surgery stay... this was scheduled before the surgery was even mentioned) to see the "primary care doctor" they had set me up with. First of all, didn't actually ever SEE "Dr. Burkette"... saw his male nurse practitioner. The ( Read more... )

Well, looks like I'll be going in on Dec.27th for surgery. They are going to remove the part of the esophagus with the stricture, because the doctor said, without the surgery, it would keep reclosing, and I'd probably have to come back every month or two for more dialations, running the risk of rupturing the esophagus, which would create a huge ( Read more... )