Appointment with Mr Kavar

[Nat Hyland]

Hi all

This post is a bit late (by about 8 days) I know, but things are very hectic at the moment.

The appointment went well. He just did a couple of neuro-type tests and took a bit of a medical history. At the end of the appointment he said "You've done very well, haven't you? Keep on as you are." I asked him what other option I had, and said I didn't really have a choice. He also said that my parents must be very pleased with me! HA! That was one of the most wrong things I've ever heard! I told him that that wasn't really the case. My sister is my parents main concern, and that my parents basically consider me just a pain in the neck!

He said he didn't think I would need to see him again at any particular time unless I had a problem, and I said that that was what I usually did. He didn't seem concerned when I mentioned that I thoght my memory was not good lately, which worried me a bit. It seems as though they are not interested in that sort of thing because it isn't treatable. He told me Ms M. had made the decision to only treat children and not adults any more, which sort of explained why she dropped me so fast. I guess she is trying to reduce her workload.

So the visit was relatively uneventful. I was a bit shocked though when I was sitting at his desk at the end of the appointment and he pulled out his little dictaphone and began to dictate the results of the appointment! I have never had anyone do that before, and I found it a bit off putting.

He seemed a fairly competent person, and a conscientous one - he washed his hands after he had examined the scar on my head - something I haven't seen Miss M or Mr Klug do previously. I didn't take offence at it, because I think that's the right thing to do.

Nat.

[CathyE]

I was a bit shocked though when I was sitting at his desk at the end of the appointment and he pulled out his little dictaphone and began to dictate the results of the appointment! I have never had anyone do that before, and I found it a bit off putting.
Nat.

Actually my 1st NS did that too. I liked it because I got to hear what was in the letter going to my family Dr. as patients don't get a copy (but as long as the letter doesn't indicate it can't be copied by my family Dr., I can get a copy later.

Did did you go to him to establish that you are now his patient or were you concerned about a problem? Anyway, glad to hear he thinks you're doing well.

My memory is also not as good as it was maybe 2 years ago. I believe my pressure setting is a bit too high and not treating my Hydro as well (why I wish I could be revised to the Codman-18 settings vs 5!) But I suppose unless it gets a lot worse, it's best not to have surgery.

Stay well!
Cathy
PS ? for the group-how common is it for NS's to at least see you once in a while for a Catscan & the results?

[mpsgirl]

My Neurologist also does that dictating thing when I am in his office, I find it humorous b/c I feel sorry for the person who actually has to dictate what he says! He always asks me if I approve of what he says or if he should add anything else.

I basically see the NS when I have issues but I also know my Drs are looking for a NS to see me from time to time vs. just when we need a revision they really want someone who is active in my care with them and involved. That said I know that others only see their NS when they have issues to. I happen to see a lot of drs very often (my Geneticist here in WI every week, my GC every 3-6 months, my Genetics Study Dr in CA every month and my Neurologist every 3 or so months amongst other specialists to.

[Nat Hyland]

Hi all

Yes, it was probably a good thing that Mr Kavar dictated the letter in front of me, becaus I think it shows he is prepared to be open and honest with me. He actually asked my opinion of the letter when he finished dictating it! He did speak rather quickly, and I thought I'd never be able to keep up with it if I was trying to type it!

I think surgeons generally like to see you every now and then to see how you are going. Having said that, I didn't see Mr Klug for years when I was younger, really not until my shunt blocked. But I think as you get older it is probably a good idea to see them every couple of years, because your brain becomes less "pliable" as you get older, and hence more prone to damage if something goes wrong.

Obviously, I wish I could say that I am never going to see another neurosurgeon again in my life :rolleyes: ! Not much chance of THAT happening!

Nat.

[Lauren88]

I don't remember having regular NS apts when I was shunt-dependent for hydro, and with my history I think that was a mistake but as they say, hindsight is 20/20 :rolleyes: I think a regular meeting is good, allowing for a CT/MRI if needed - I would say the regularity should depend on your history but at least every 5 years, to be flexible if needed - if I'd had this maybe I wouldn't have gone as long with failures :( :rolleyes:
My NS who did my ETV says he lets his patients decide, which I like :) - he doesn't do regular scans, and he gave me the choice of whether to see him in a year or not - I said yes because even though he said it is rare for ETVs to close after a year - ETV-aversary was yesterday, I am a justified pessimist I think ;) )

I would have found the dictation with you present a bit odd at first, but it's a good idea :)

Hope you are OK so you don't NEED to see anyone for a long time though ;)

Hugs

[monicad1974]

Hi all

This post is a bit late (by about 8 days) I know, but things are very hectic at the moment.

The appointment went well. He just did a couple of neuro-type tests and took a bit of a medical history. At the end of the appointment he said "You've done very well, haven't you? Keep on as you are." I asked him what other option I had, and said I didn't really have a choice. He also said that my parents must be very pleased with me! HA! That was one of the most wrong things I've ever heard! I told him that that wasn't really the case. My sister is my parents main concern, and that my parents basically consider me just a pain in the neck!

He said he didn't think I would need to see him again at any particular time unless I had a problem, and I said that that was what I usually did. He didn't seem concerned when I mentioned that I thoght my memory was not good lately, which worried me a bit. It seems as though they are not interested in that sort of thing because it isn't treatable. He told me Ms M. had made the decision to only treat children and not adults any more, which sort of explained why she dropped me so fast. I guess she is trying to reduce her workload.

So the visit was relatively uneventful. I was a bit shocked though when I was sitting at his desk at the end of the appointment and he pulled out his little dictaphone and began to dictate the results of the appointment! I have never had anyone do that before, and I found it a bit off putting.

He seemed a fairly competent person, and a conscientous one - he washed his hands after he had examined the scar on my head - something I haven't seen Miss M or Mr Klug do previously. I didn't take offence at it, because I think that's the right thing to do.

Nat.

They do dictation while you are in the room because everything is fresh in their memory and if you want something added. I had not thought anything about it. Some do it in the room or I hear them outside the room.

I see my doctor monthly and by-monthly but I have alot of issuse happening and I go to pain management. My nsg told me when I get regulated he will do annual checks with me and a CT to have on file. This way when problems happen he will have a scan to compair to.

[Nat Hyland]

unless they have an EXCEPTIONAL memory it would be quite difficult to leave the information till later - can you imagine having to dictate information on a dozen patients at the end of the day! It may have also been because he had never seen me before, so he had no information to compare with or go on. I did like him doing that though. I think it is probably best to do it while the information is fresh in your mind.

Nat.