Sorry I was a little emotional. We finally got into our new Neurologist on Tuesday after waiting forever. Great news is that he’s one of the most respected Parkinson’s experts in the country, bad news is only UofI Hospital or Mayo would take me so we had to go to Iowa City.
Jer, just a couple comments, sharing info.
We had a close friend with Parkinsons (he was in his 50s), and when the meds were not working anymore, they gave him the Borg implant in his brain, and he had a tremendous result from that. Even was able to ride his Harley again. And that was at U of I, so good things can happen there!
But also have to comment on Mayo Clinic, for you but also for everyone. If you can get there, go there. Its the freaking starship Enterprise up there.
Gf just had spinal fusion surgery up there 2 weeks ago. Yes they have the best doctors, but that is not the half of it. Everything just WORKS. Checking in? Simple and there is someone friendly right there to help too. Scheduling? Same - they take the time to talk to you and sort it out. Its so well organized.
But mostly it was people - nurses, admin folks, housekeeping, everyone - friendly, take the time to talk to you, good mood and attitude, ask you what you need. It was all just so
positive. I assume they hire positive people somehow, but also deliberately create a positive helpful culture as well. Which of course leads to better patient outcomes, but its gotta be a great place to work too. Totally opposite of everywhere else I have been (with her, with dad, self) where everyone is too busy to be bothered with you, wants you to go away, and just kind of surly.
She was there 3 nights and had the same 2 nurses all 3 days for day/night shift. They got to know her, what was bothering her specifically, and that helped them help her. And its comforting when you know who will come check on you.
Best run organization of any kind I have ever experienced.
