Some miscellany from the week not requiring entire blog posts on their own…

………………………

Enjoyed participating in the WSYR Radiothon with Joe Galuski to raise money for the University Hospital / Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Incredible resource for families with sick children.

………………………

Two good interviews of note on this week’s radio show: Dr. Thomas Welch, chair of pediatrics of University Hospital, and Dr. Matthew Scuderi who will talk about cartilage repair for the knee. You can download the interviews from the radio show website.

………………………

You might be interested in some recent comments made by Marc J, an anesthesiologist, who is NOT happy with some of my posts. In fact, he would like to serve me some “salsa for the chip on my shoulder.” Hmmm…. He also suggested in one of the comments that he didn’t like attacking me on my blog where all my readers could see them — however — as you know, my email address is listed directly under my photo.

I want you, my reader, to understand all sides of the story when it comes to your care. In fact, I think it makes for smarter healthcare consumers — and shows you even better why you need to take responsibility for your own choices in your care, ranging from who your doctors will be, to how you will be diagnosed or treated, to how you will pay for your care, and everything in between.

So here are a list of Marc’s posts, although, please keep in mind that he doesn’t really intend to attack me publicly (uh-huh.)

Comment on Lemon Law for Medical Consumers by Marc J

Comment on How Apologies Lead to Fixing by Marc J

Comment on When Dirty Doctors Can’t be Identified by Marc J

In fact, Marc, you are right. There are definitely times I cop an attitude or have an “edge” to my work. I’ve been accused of that before. It started with my own misdiagnosis, and it continues because I get dozens of emails each week from people who have been wronged by the healthcare system in some way. It’s heartbreaking — and has turned me into a cynic, whereas throughout my life to this point, I’ve mostly been a pollyanna.

Guess that makes me the Ralph Nader of the healthcare system.

And yes, I have real problems sleeping at night. Because I just can’t get the word out fast enough.

………………………

OK — out to do some gardening today! It’s a perfectly glorious autumn day here and I plan to take advantage of it. Included will be cleaning up the pieces of pumpkins left from the squirrels who have eaten right through them!

	………………
	Want more tools and commentary for sharp patients? Sign up for Every Patient’s Advocate email tips Or link here to empower yourself at EveryPatientsAdvocate.com
	………………

Some miscellany from the week, not requiring entire blog posts of their own….

The fires in Southern California have kept many of us riveted to TV and internet news. As reported earlier this week, my daughter, Becca, lives in Carlsbad, just north and east of several of the fires we’ve followed. I’m relieved and happy to report that she and her sigO Ed were never told to evacuate, and it looks like their home will remain standing, as will their neighbors’. Now they must deal with fallout from the smoky air and the ash that has coated anything and everything.

Thanks to those of you who kept them in your prayers.

……………………………….

My radio show this week features two interviews you might be interested in. Dr. Helen Barkan will discuss migraine headaches, and Dr. Amy Friedman will tell us about kidney and pancreas transplants. My patient tip of the week is “Follow the Money.” If you can’t wait for Sunday, listen to the show from your computer. Same show - no commercials
……………………………….

Have enjoyed my week here in Sarasota, Florida with my patient empowerment students. Our sessions went quite well and as always happens, I learned from my students as well as vice-versa. Thanks to them for that!

I’ve been asked to return to teach again in early in 2008. Let me know if you’re in Sarasota and you’d like dates.

……………………………….

Another great article for CNN’s Empowered Patient this week. Don’t Be a Victim of Pharmacy Errors. Some great tips — including some I’d not thought about before. Take a look. Stay Safe!

……………………………….

For those of you who have followed my column series about Glen and his brain tumor, you’ll want to catch the last in the series this Tuesday. You might be surprised at the outcome — but then again — you might not.

While the series was intended to provide a process for keeping emotions out of medical decision-making, it seems to have stirred a hunger knowledge about Glen’s treatment progress, too.

Stay tuned! And if you want to be among the first to see the last chapter, then sign up for email notification.

……………………………….

Tune in again next week for “From the desk of….” !

	………………
	Want more tools and commentary for sharp patients? Sign up for Every Patient’s Advocate email tips Or link here to empower yourself at EveryPatientsAdvocate.com
	………………

In the midst of this week’s craziness (WAY too much on my plate at the moment!) I have a few miscellaneous, but no less important, points and thoughts to share. I don’t want them to get lost, so I’ll just put them all here…. a potpourri of information. This may become a Saturday or weekend habit. Seems like a good idea!

…………………

My friend and colleague Linda Lowen has become the About.com guide for Women’s Issues. Her new guide site launched about one week ago. Of course, women’s issues are people issues, and health care consumerism and patient safety are people issues, too.

If you have interest in a variety of women’s topics, many of which you may not have considered, some of which you’ll want to cheer, and more than a few that might make you go “hmmmm,” then check out — better yet, BOOKMARK — Linda’s new guide site at About.com. I promise you you’ll be fascinated.

………………

I’m leaving Monday for Sarasota, FL — visiting parents (Happy Birthday Mom!) and teaching three patient empowerment workshops while I’m there. If you’re anywhere near Sarasota and want to come by — the more the merrier! I promise you real tools that can help you. Contact Adult and Community Education for the Sarasota School District.

I do love getting out and speaking to groups — patients and providers. If you have need for a speaker, I keep a speaker resume online. Check it out.

………………

Speaking of workshops, I spent Thursday evening teaching my “Diagnosis Detective” workshop. GREAT group of people — very participative. On the way out, one of them reminded me of a saying I have heard before: What do you call a doctor who graduated at the bottom of his class? (The answer: “Doctor”) ouch.

………………

Some of you know I have a “looking for” section to this blog. I get contacted by a variety of people, mostly journalists and producers, looking to make contact with patients to help tell their stories. One posting this week has not been too fruitful, so I’m going to mention it here. If you are anywhere in Central New York State (upstate, not the city!) and are an angry patient who wants to participate in a documentary, the producers would like to talk to you. Learn more on the Looking For…. page.

………………

A handful of people have asked me about the launch of AdvoConnection. It has been delayed (yes, I really do need to update that blog, too). You’ll know why in just a few weeks — a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! that I can share with you then. I hope.

………………

Tune in again next week for “From the desk of….” ! (OK. well. maybe.)

	………………
	Want more tools and commentary for sharp patients? Sign up for Every Patient’s Advocate email tips Or link here to empower yourself at EveryPatientsAdvocate.com
	………………