DARN, just heard

[elleng]

'the clinic is currently not scheduling new patients till September or later;' this is the hydrocephalus clinic @ Johns Hopkins, so my gait declines daily (no pain; mostly re: balance,) but been hoping to begin process of having a 'shunt' inserted so things can begin improving.

re: https://www.democraticunderground.com/114228450

[redwitch]

1. Im sorry you have to wait so long.

My SIL was born with hydrocephalus and the Dr. who invented the shunt saved her life when she got a shunt at 18 months. Adult shunt went in at 18 years. Hang in there and take care!

[elleng]

2. THANKS, redwitch, and so glad to hear of your SIL law's progress AND about the doctor!

I WILL hang in there/here; right now, I'm SWEATING, just returned from grocery store, and the back and forth to/from the car in 87 degree weather, with what feels like HIGH humidity, is a real nuisance!

[JohnSJ]

3. Sorry to hear what you are going through Ellen, and wish you the best. September doesn't seem

like that far off. We are already in the middle of July

Wishing you a quick recovery when they do the procedure

[elleng]

4. Right, sweating in July!

[JohnSJ]

7. ............

[spooky3]

5. Best wishes for your procedure in Sept! Nt

[SheltieLover]

6. Is there another facility ?

Healing vibes on the way to you. 💓💓💓

[elleng]

14. MIGHT be, but I suspect Johns Hopkins is 'preferred,' and most experienced.

Will check.

[mopinko]

17. what about cleveland clinic?

harvard? bug your doc.

[elleng]

18. Not going that far! Maybe Georgetown.

WILL 'bug' my doc.

[mopinko]

19. it's not that far. make a nice trip. rrhof. it's a nice town.

[redwitch]

28. Maybe Philly?

[SheltieLover]

23. Sorry to hear you are having this issue, Ellen.

Maybe your doc can order a STAT procedure? I'd try that route first.

[elleng]

24. I don't think there's anything 'STAT' about it, sadly;

need to drain the accumulating fluid from wherever in/around brain it accumulates.

[SheltieLover]

25. Did you ask your dr?

Sounds urgent to me!

[elleng]

26. Spoke about it with neurologist who diagnosed it 10 years ago,

and have lived with it (for a long time, imo,) but is only now burdensome; affecting my gait. Neurologist wasn't enthusiastic about it, at the time, but may have been because she didn't have anyone to refer to AND was clearly not 'urgent' then.

THAT neurologist's office was/is 200 miles from where I live now, and the 'remedy' requires 'surgery,' fairly unusual speciality.

[SheltieLover]

27. Neurologist is likely doing telemed now

Maybe can get stat order.

[barbtries]

8. that sucks.

can you get on a list for cancellations? I recently had an appt for a CPAP that they scheduled for OCTOBER (this was in May or June), and when I called back I lucked into an appointment the very next day. Hopefully you'll get in sooner than September.

[elleng]

13. Yes, will get on list as soon as I complete 16 page new patient info form.

[barbtries]

20. lol

16 pages to reiterate everything they already know, right? I hope you're as lucky as I was.

ETA people opposed to universal health care like to point out how long people wait for appointments in the countries that have it. they got nothing on the for-profit model we all suffer under here.

[elleng]

21. They know NOTHING about me,

VERY new patient to Hopkins. They need full history, which I have to provide for them.

[barbtries]

22. oh, oh oh

I go to Duke and they still make me go through hoops for each appointment even though i've been a patient there for several years.

I have worked at Johns Hopkins on a clinical trial. I hope your doctor is as capable and caring as the one I worked with, she is a lovely person and very dedicated professional.

[MuseRider]

9. I hope you have someone close

who can look in on you in case you do fall. Being a senior myself I have to chuckle still at the "Help I've fallen and I can't get up!" ads but as I have my own problems with my heart and see my own balance getting worse I feel a little different.

I do not know your living situation so, if you think it may get significantly worse see if there is a program for people to check on you please. I would hate for you to fall and not have the hope of someone who calls each day or more.

Many supporting thoughts go to you. One small bit of advice as I saved myself from laying in the gravel for hours, take a cane with you everywhere you go. I fell coming out of my horse barn, about 1/4 mile from the house and not visible. I had just had a stroke after a procedure, my phone was broken and with my cane I was able to get up and over to the car and get back to the house somehow. I know you get around taking pictures so if you do not have one it might be a good thought about getting one and having it in case, just in case.

I am sorry you are dealing with this.

[elleng]

11. Thanks, Muse.

Yes, 'plenty' peeps around here, daughter, son in law and other family members, AND neighbor/landlord who is very cooperative. Will refill rx for osteo meds soon, @ nearby CVS, too.

I DO take walking stick everywhere, AND phone, small flip phone so easy to keep in pocket. GOLLY, no adventures such as you experienced likely, no horse barn! and car @ my door, with easy access to paths, neighbor's house, and roads.

[JohnnyLib2]

10. Really sorry for the wait and frustration.

As mentioned above, I wondered about another facility.

[elleng]

12. I don't know about another facility; will ask my Doc soon, but

I do like idea of going to Johns Hopkins due to their experience and reputation.

[iamateacher]

15. Ask for any cancellation

This time of year, there might be one. Worth a try.

[Diamond_Dog]

16. I'm sorry you have to wait so long to get an appointment, elleng

It’s so maddening. Why don’t we have more doctors in this country??

Please take care of yourself.