Finally, Progress!

Things are starting to move on the Great Appointment Quest. Juli is scheduled for a brain MRI on March 11, followed by an appointment with a GI "Fellow" on March 16. The GI specialist that Dr. Casabona wanted her to see can't get her in until the end of May, so the Fellow may actually be the best route to eventual diagnosis and treatment.

Some of the best doctors I saw at UVA were Fellows. In my experience, they are young, energetic, curious, and uncommonly up-to-date on all the latest studies and research. They are still new enough to the medical world to want to interact with patients. And since this Fellow is working under the supervision of the GI specialist, Juli will have the benefit of two doctors working on finding the cause of her tummy problems. I am relieved for the moment.

We are still working on getting a neurological consult, but at least the MRI will provide some clues or rule-outs with regard to her blackouts and seizure-like symptoms.

Progress at last! It's hard to abandon one's native politeness and become a demanding "squeaky wheel," but apparently, that's what it takes to get taken care of these days. I don't really mind if they are getting her seen because they just don't want another phone call from me.

Whatever it takes, I'll do it.