Trickle Down Effect

I have tried numerous times over a year to have Matthew's Nerve Conduction Test (done here in Calgary) sent to Dr. Dobbs in St. Louis. The last time, I was sure it had been sent, but when we were there in October, I found out it still was not there.

So I sent an email to Kristina, Dr. Dobbs nurse practitioner, right hand man, overall wonderful person. Asking her to personally request the test results so I can get a copy to compare with another mom.

I was shocked to get an email back NOT from Kristina, even though I sent it to Kristina's account, but from some one else who did not sign the email. So, mysterious, unnamed person responded

Jo-Ann
I called and requested it today. I will let you know if I get it. . FYI.... After the death of Dr Ponseti and due to our high patient volume here at Shriner's as of January 1,2010. Dr Dobbs is seeing less patients. He usually sees initials, serial casts and pre-op surgical patients between going in and out of surgery. Most of our clubfoot patients are seen by the Nurse practioner and myself.

So if you are coming to Shriner's you may not see him. He does see all his patients at St Louis Children's. I will have him review the nerve conduction and email you, but I don't think there is time on a Monday at Shriner's to discuss this. He prefers involved and out of state patients see him at Children's where he can spend time with them. I just didn't want you to get your hopes up that you will see him. If Matthew is doing well with no signs of reoccurance our protocol is for him to see the nurse practioner at Shriner's.

Oh.

I know.

Dr. Ponseti's death had a huge impact on the clubfoot community. After all, he was THE man himself. The father of clubfoot correction, for the world. I myself am honored that he himself responded to an email I sent him back in early 2003. But I never expected this. I never thought it would be possible that we would not be able to see Dr. Dobbs.


If things were different. If Matthew's foot looked fine. If we were just getting a check up, I would be fine with this. But this is one of those involved patients. And for us to see him at the Children's means we would have to either have to pay out of pocket or get funding from our health care. Which means Matthew's old surgeon would need to write a letter saying that he has done all he can and that Dr. Dobbs is THE doctor for Matthew. And after that infamous phone call there is no way that is happening.

I sent an email back saying that we are from Canada and with the differences in health care, it would be very difficult to see him at the Children's and that Matthew usually ends up casted, does that mean we would see Dobbs?

Mysterious person answering Kristina's emails has not emailed me back...

So. I am at a loss. Not sure what to think or to do. If we are not going to see Dr. Dobbs, this is a very long trip to see mystery person.

I just want to be able to ask Kristina what's up. But with mystery person answering her emails, I may have to email Dr. Dobbs himself to see if he can shed some more light on this.

Feeling very unsettled.