I would like to thank everyone who has commented on my posts and shared their experience. In previous posts, I have mentioned how much I like to hear stories. They are important to me for several reasons, two of which I will share with you.
First, having suffered from pain, I like to share my personal story with others who have had a similar experience. It is both therapeutic and enlightening, as I am sure that many of you know. Second, as the CEO, hearing stories keeps me attuned to our patients and renders personal meaning to the work of the LSI team. Many of us can relate to a father, mother, or child in severe pain and how it affects their family and life in general. While each story is unique, the common threads of pain, frustration, hope, success and victory often run through all of them; the difference often lies in the order in which they occur.
Several people have told their stories in LSI's monthly newsletter, the Spinal Column. From time to time, I will post links to some of these these heart-warming stories, which capture patients' journeys from pain to recovery. This month's issue features Barbara Warren, who traveled from the desert city of Peoria, Arizona to the shores of Tampa, Florida to find relief from years of excruciating pain. To read Barbara's amazing story and other interesting articles in this month's issue of the Spinal Column, please click here.
First, having suffered from pain, I like to share my personal story with others who have had a similar experience. It is both therapeutic and enlightening, as I am sure that many of you know. Second, as the CEO, hearing stories keeps me attuned to our patients and renders personal meaning to the work of the LSI team. Many of us can relate to a father, mother, or child in severe pain and how it affects their family and life in general. While each story is unique, the common threads of pain, frustration, hope, success and victory often run through all of them; the difference often lies in the order in which they occur.
Several people have told their stories in LSI's monthly newsletter, the Spinal Column. From time to time, I will post links to some of these these heart-warming stories, which capture patients' journeys from pain to recovery. This month's issue features Barbara Warren, who traveled from the desert city of Peoria, Arizona to the shores of Tampa, Florida to find relief from years of excruciating pain. To read Barbara's amazing story and other interesting articles in this month's issue of the Spinal Column, please click here.
To Bill Horne;
Do you want to hear stories that are not heart-warming? Mine is such a story. After having an MRI, I was put in an office to wait for someone to take more information. I had asked if Dr. James St. Louis could see me and was told yes that was possible. Then two medical people came in and I told them who I wished to see, so one of them looked out the door and saw Dr, Vernon Morris and asked him to come in to look at my MRI. After he looked at them and was leaving the room, one of the persons asked him if he wanted to do the operation and he shrugged and said "yeah sure". It made me feel as though no one was all that interested. I didn't get to see Dr. St. Louis and when I came to the preparation room, the attendant that put the sedation apparatus in my hand did it so roughly and painfully that I went into a feinting spell as my pulse went under 40 and my BP was 90/50. After that everything went well, but my spine has multiple problems and I will be needing at least one if not two more surgeries. Hopefully, I will get an appointment to see Dr. Weiss in Scottsdale as I live on the west coast of Canada and have friends and family in Phoenix.
I am certainly not complaining about Dr. Vernon Morris as he did a fine job and I had considerable relief in certain areas which I was concerned about. He told me I would need the L5/S1 done, which he wanted to do first but I asked or rather pleaded that he do the L3/4 first as it was causing me horrific muscle cramps on my inner thigh to groin area. That has dissipated after the operation and I am truly thankful to him.
I guess I just felt a little left out of what I thought would be a more personable experience, as I find surgery to be a scary proposition. I also had no follow up phone calls at 2,6,or 12 weeks and have made dozens of phone calls to try and get an appointment in Scottsdale as I am in considerable pain. It appears that may happen as I have sent a new contrasted MRI for Dr. Morris to look at and hopefully approve my having an operation at the new facility in Scottsdale. I have not been contacted yet, but am ever hopeful.
Respectfully, David D. Howells
Dear David,
First, let me offer my sincere apology for the fact that your complete experience was less than satisfactory, but I am relieved to know that after your surgery, you remain confident about our procedures. I can assure you that our goal is to treat everyone with the same level of courtesy and respect and I have always told my staff, treat everyone like they were your own family. Furthermore, one of the main reasons that I started this blog was to make myself accessible to everyone, so that I can gain a broad perspective on patient experience.
I spoke with Dr. Perry and Cyndi Nation regarding your telephone conversation to address other concerns that you expressed in your post. In compliance with HIPAA guidelines, due to the fact that this is a public forum, we could not divulge certain information. Thanks for posting and I will ensure that your second experience exceeds your expectations.
P.S. Keep me posted on the golfing results. I played a round of golf 10 days after my surgery, so I’m rooting for you!
Sincerely,
Bill Horne.