May 21st 2009…
I went to see my Gastroenterologist for my esophagus problem, one of my many complications from Gastric Bypass. I went in around noon and began by filling out some paperwork. I completed the paperwork and didn’t get called back to the room until 1pm; at that time I should have known that this was going to be a very bad experience. I went into the room and met with the nurse practitioner. I began explaining everything to him, at that point he asked that I get undressed and he would be back. I didn’t really understand why I needed to get undressed to have an exam on my esophagus.. He came back into the room with a nurse and took out his stethoscope to listen to my heart. He said he thought I had a heart murmur. I was thinking excuse me, you are not a cardiologist, how can you make a valid diagnosis on the condition of my heart. At that point he stepped out and sad the doctor would be in momentarily. After waiting for about another 20 minutes the doctor came in, he was wearing the filthiest scrubs I have ever seen. He said that he would perform a procedure that stretches out the esophagus and that I should be just fine. I was thinking that there is no way in hell that I am going to let this guy perform a medical procedure on me, not only was his office filthy but he had no personality to boot. He said I’ll see you next week and then left the room. I began getting dressed when I overheard the nurse practitioner in the hallway talking about the heart murmur that I have. He then came into the room and handed me a card with the date of my procedure. He then asked that I go and have some blood tests. I went to have the blood test and the nurse hit a nerve, to put it lightly it wasn’t my day J
After the blood test they recommended that I have my “heart murmur” checked out. I went to see the cardiologist. He performed his examination and said he had no idea why they thought I had a heart murmur. He said my heart was happy and healthy. At this point I decided there was no way that I was going to let these people perform an esophagus procedure on me. I have since made an appointment with another Gastroenterologist, and will let you all know how it goes…