THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rod@welchco.com
S U M M A R Y
DIARY: January 22, 2013 01:30 PM Tuesday;
Rod Welch
VA meeting General Surgery Doctor Stewart achalasia and spinal stenosis.
1...Summary/Objective
2...Diabetes Not Cause Peripheral Neuropathy Circulation Because Good
3...Peripheral Neuropathy Diabetes Not Cause Because Circulation Good
4...Achalasia Recovery CT Imaging Shows Esophagus Substantial Recovery
5...Esophagus Substantial Recovery CT Imaging Shows Achalasia Recovery
6...Spinal Stenosis Possible Diagnosis Peripheral Neuropahy Parathesia
..............
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CONTACTS
SUBJECTS
Meeting Delayed 2 Hours Surgery Department VA Medical Center San Fra
0903 -
0903 - ..
0904 - Summary/Objective
0905 -
090501 - Follow up ref SDS 19 0000. ref SDS 17 0000.
090502 -
090503 -
090504 -
090506 - ..
0906 -
0907 -
0908 - Background
0909 -
090901 - On 121016 background achalasia, ref SDS 13 HS7L, meeting Doctor Stewart
090902 - on achalasia, ref SDS 13 AE9G, and schedule barium swallow test
090903 - evaulate surgery eliminate dilation procedures. ref SDS 13 FN4G
090905 - ..
090906 - On 121113 1100 radiology barium swallow CT test. ref SDS 14 4X5H
090908 - ..
090909 - On 121113 1330 meeting Doctor Stewart review barium swallow test on
090910 - resolving achalasia. ref SDS 14 EI9M
090912 - ..
090913 - On 130110 0900 EGD Dilation Doctor Lee VA Sacramento resolve
090914 - achalasia. 130110 0900, ref SDS 18 RG9K
090916 - ..
090917 - On 130107 VA called left message procedure scheduled, and to call back
090918 - for details. ref SDS 16 RY5H Called back and left message that VA's
090919 - earlier call was returned.
090921 - ..
090922 - On 130108 VA called and advised medical procedure scheduled on 130117
090923 - 0900 in Radiology Department at VA in Martinez. ref SDS 17 T068 Grace
090924 - will try to determine what procedure has been ordere, who ordered the
090925 - work, and why.
090927 - ..
090928 - Grace called back and said Doctor Lee ordered the test.
090930 - ..
090931 - On 130110 Doctor Lee said he ordered another barium swallow test.
090932 - This will compare results on 121113 1100. ref SDS 14 4X5H with
090933 - conditions after EDG dilation on 130110.
090935 - ..
090936 - On 130117 0900 radiology barium swallow CT test. 130117 0900,
090937 - ref SDS 19 LM8K
090939 - ..
090940 - On 130117 0900 at 2315 letter to Isagani notifying Doctor Stewart of
090941 - new radiology barium swallow CT test following EGD Dilation procedure
090942 - on 130110, and to compare with prior tests to evaluate progress
090943 - recovering from achalasia. ref SDS 19 LT4M
090944 -
090945 -
090946 -
090947 -
090949 - ..
0910 -
0911 -
0912 - Progress
0913 -
091301 - This morning at 0750 met with Doctor Elaine Tseng, attending physician
091302 - for CABG 4x heart bypass surgery on 091022 0700. ref SDS 3 PQWU The
091303 - doctor was walking down the hallway in the surgery department.
091305 - ..
091306 - Took the opportunity to thank Doctor Tseng for successful heart
091307 - surgery 3 years ago.
091309 - ..
091310 - The doctor was pleased with evident good recovery and continued good
091311 - health of former patient. Aligns with case study on exercise, vitals,
091312 - medications, and diet shown in the record on 101010 0744. ref SDS 9
091313 - Q063
091315 - ..
091316 - Asked about correlation of peripheral neuropathy parathesia beginning
091317 - OA 13 May 2012, reported in case study on 101010 0744. ref SDS 9 F97O,
091318 - following CABG 4x heart bypass surgery on 091022? ref SDS 3 PQWU
091320 - ..
091321 - Doctor Tseng explained that parathesia can occur in some patients in
091322 - near term of weeks and months after CABG surgery. Therefore, current
091323 - problems of peripheral neuropathy parathesia would not be expected 36
091324 - months after surgery.
091326 - ..
091327 - Hugged Doctor Tseng and thanked her again for good care, reflecting
091328 - last meeting on 091104 0718. ref SDS 5 PR4V
091329 -
091331 - ..
0914 -
0915 -
0916 - 0810
0917 -
091701 - Met with Ramone in Surgery Administration. He called Isagani.
091702 - Isagani told Ramone the customer can meet Isagani at 0900 in Module 2
091703 - of the Clinic on the Ground Floor to discuss letter for Doctor Stewart
091704 - to prepare for meeting at 1330.
091705 -
091706 -
091708 - ..
0918 -
0919 -
0920 - 0900
0921 -
092101 - Met Receptionist in Clinic Module 2. She advised that Isagani is
092102 - still at a staff meeting.
092103 -
092105 - ..
0922 -
0923 -
0924 - 0910
0925 -
092501 - Have to leave for meeting with Trish in ENT on 2nd floor scheduled for
092502 - 0915.
092504 - ..
092505 - Mike was in the customer reception area for Clinic Module 2. He said
092506 - Doctor Stewart's assistant will review the record to prepare for the
092507 - meeting at 1330.
092508 -
092509 - [...below on 130122 1330 at 1540 Jesus advises there wasn't
092510 - enough time for the medical team to review the record to
092511 - prepare for the meeting today. ref SDS 0 W25F
092513 - ..
092514 - Left for meeting with Trish in ENT, reported in another record on
092515 - 130122 0915, ref SDS 20 LS6W
092516 -
092518 - ..
0926 -
0927 -
0928 - 1330
0929 -
092901 - Receptionist said the team has a lot of meetings today scheduled for
092902 - 1330. She said the Doctor's team will call for the patient in 20
092903 - minutes or so.
092904 -
092906 - ..
0930 -
0931 -
0932 - 1340
0933 -
093301 - Nurse called customer for vitals. This was performed and patient
093302 - asked to continue waiting for Doctor Stewart to beging the meeting.
093303 -
093304 -
093306 - ..
0934 -
0935 -
0936 - 1400
0937 -
093701 - Receptionist said meetings are running longer than expected, so the
093702 - meeting scheduled for 1330 has been moved to 1415. She said there is
093703 - enough time for the customer to go outside to a designated area for
093704 - smoking a cigarette, and to go to the cafeteria for an ice cream cone.
093706 - ..
093707 - Walked to the smoking area for a cigarette, and went to the cafeteria
093708 - to the coffee department. They also sell ice cream cones, so ordered
093709 - one to kill more time.
093710 -
093712 - ..
0938 -
0939 -
0940 - 1430
0941 -
094101 - Receptionist advised that new customers get priority over follow up
094102 - customers. Today, the doctor has many new customers so the follow up
094103 - meeting scheduled for 1330 has been further moved 90 minutes to 1500.
094105 - ..
094106 - Asked if there is a library or work area where customers can use a
094107 - notebook computer with online access to the Internet so customers and
094108 - medical providers can work in parallel to increase productivity?
094110 - ..
094111 - The Receptionist pointed to an adjacent door.
094113 - ..
094114 - Walked across the hallway. There is a door marked "Library." There
094115 - was a handwritten note saying the Library is temporarily closed while
094116 - the attendant is away.
094118 - ..
094119 - Asked the receptionist for General Surgery Clinic if there will be
094120 - enough time for follow up customers to leave the building for another
094121 - cigarette and ice cream.
094123 - ..
094124 - The Receptionist indicated that if the customer is called she will
094125 - notify the medical team the customer is on site and temporarily
094126 - stretching their legs, and will return shortly.
094128 - ..
094129 - Offered to leave a cell phone number. The Receptionist said she
094130 - already has the cell number.
094132 - ..
094133 - Walked to the smoking area for Kathy to smoke a cigarette, and went to
094134 - the cafeteria and ordered another ice cream cone to kill more time.
094135 -
094137 - ..
0942 -
0943 -
0944 - 1510
0945 -
094501 - Returned to Clinic Module 2. Receptionist said nobody has called the
094502 - follow up customer yet. She left the station to inquire with the
094503 - medical team.
094505 - ..
094506 - The receptionist returned and advised the follow up customer will be
094507 - called to meet the doctor in 10 minutes.
094509 - ..
094510 - Asked for future meetings if the team can estimate within 30 minutes
094511 - when customers should arrive for scheduled meetings? The customer can
094512 - check in by telephone and plan to arrive at the actual time of the
094513 - meeting, rather than clog the waiting area and hallways?
094515 - ..
094516 - The Receptionist said VA planning has been considering ways to
094517 - increase productivity with both customers and providers working in
094518 - parallel to reduce idle time.
094519 -
094520 -
094521 -
0946 -
094601 -
0947 -
SUBJECTS
Health Care Medical Schedule Meeting 130117 0900 VA Radiology Depart
2503 -
2504 - 1540
250501 - ..
250502 - Met initially with Jesus.
250504 - ..
250505 - Jesus did not have time to review the letter submitted 5 days ago
250506 - enabling the medical team to prepare for the meeting today, reported
250507 - on 130117 0900, ref SDS 19 RX5L, and discussed with Mike earlier this
250508 - morning at 0910, per above, ref SDS 0 02H4, citing planning by Isagani
250509 - to meet this morning at 0900 to review objectives on being prepared
250510 - for a productive meeting.
250512 - ..
250513 - Jesus was able to access the CT files for the barium swallow test at
250514 - the VA in Martinez on 130117 0900. ref SDS 19 HR98
250516 - ..
250517 - He was unable to access Doctor Lee's Progress notes for the EGD
250518 - Dilation procedure at the VA in Sacramenton on 130110 0900.
250519 - ref SDS 18 RG9K
250521 - ..
250522 - Discussed objective and prospects to correct failure of wrap
250523 - constructed to prevent backflow reflux into the esophagus caused by
250524 - Heller Myotomy surgery performed on 091216 0600, ref SDS 6 KE9U, and
250525 - to implement planning at the VA on 091030 0810. ref SDS 4 OY64
250527 - ..
250528 - Since the wrap worked well for 2.5 years, and began failing about 6
250529 - months ago, Doctor Stewart planned to consider in the follow meeting
250530 - today considerations for corrective surgery to accomplish original
250531 - objectives, reported on 121113 1100. ref SDS 14 WB54
250532 -
250533 -
250534 -
250535 -
250536 -
250538 - ..
250539 - Diabetes Not Cause Peripheral Neuropathy Circulation Because Good
250540 - Peripheral Neuropathy Diabetes Not Cause Because Circulation Good
250541 -
250542 - Presented new issue of peripheral neuropathy parathesia, discussed
250543 - with Doctor Elaine Tseng this morning, per above. ref SDS 0 LM8K
250545 - ..
250546 - Jesus indicated that ruling out heart surgery on 091022 as causing
250547 - peripheral neurapathy, another common cause is diabetes. He checked
250548 - patient labs and noted there is no alignment with diabetes. Jesus
250549 - performed then clincial examination of blood flow to lower
250550 - extermeties. He reported finding ample blood flow. Jesus advised
250551 - that patients suffering or susceptible to diabetes symptoms have very
250552 - poor blood flow to their feet.
250554 - ..
250555 - Jesus indicated initial clinical assessment today diagnoses no
250556 - evidence of diabetes causing peripheral neuropathy parathesis. He
250557 - will consult with Doctor Stewart for further consideration.
250558 -
250559 - [On 130227 0930 Doctor Abrams in VA Neurology Department
250560 - concurs patient history and labs do not indicate concern
250561 - about diabetes; orders next lab to include A1c blood test
250562 - for diabetes. ref SDS 23 P44K
250563 -
250564 -
250565 -
2506 -
SUBJECTS
Esophagus Substantial Recovery CT Barrium Swallow Test Compare Prior
3803 -
3804 - 1615
380501 - ..
380502 - Achalasia Recovery CT Imaging Shows Esophagus Substantial Recovery
380503 - Esophagus Substantial Recovery CT Imaging Shows Achalasia Recovery
380504 -
380505 - Doctor Stewart arrives.
380507 - ..
380508 - The doctor initially used the computer monitor in the examination to
380509 - access and review images and medical findings for the CT test with
380510 - barium swallow ordered by Doctor Lee at VA in Sacramento, and
380511 - performed at VA in Martinez on 130117. ref SDS 19 OH6G Doctor Stewart
380512 - then accessed the similar study to assess Heller Myotomy Surgery which
380513 - she performed on 091216, and which was done 2 days later on 091218,
380514 - reported in the record on 100928 0706. ref SDS 8 1357
380516 - ..
380517 - The doctor compared on the same computer monitor a file on the VA
380518 - server in Sacramento with a file on the server located at the VA in
380519 - San Francisco.
380521 - ..
380522 - Displaying the 2 images for tests 3 years apart side-by-side on the
380523 - computer monitor side the doctor said there is significant
380524 - improvement. Doctor Stewart pointed to resolution in the recent study
380525 - of the large bulge in the esophagus above LESV, which previously
380526 - plagued the patient shown in the earlier test 3 years ago on 091218.
380527 - Doctor Stewart further traced on the computer display screen
380528 - elimination of the long string-like narrowing of the esophagus between
380529 - the former big bulge and LESV.
380531 - ..
380532 - Doctor Stewart smiled and said these dramatic changes demonstrate
380533 - success of Heller Myotomy surgery in conjunction with EGD Dilations,
380534 - as listed in the record on 121016 1302. ref SDS 13 XS62
380535 -
380536 - [On 130416 1100 Doctor Lee interpreted CT test on 130117,
380537 - shows remarkable recovery from achalasia; he attributes
380538 - favorable results reflects combination therapy with Heller
380539 - Myotomy surgery performed by Doctor Stewart at VA Medical
380540 - Center in San Francisco on 091216, and subsequent
380541 - persistent EGD dilation protocols every 3 months together
380542 - with Omeprazole medication, and then a year later enhanced
380543 - albeing intermittantly with triamcinolone steriod
380544 - injections to resist contractions of LESV that aid
380545 - swallowing and so avoid ballooning effect of esophagus.
380546 - ref SDS 24 E23K
380548 - ..
380549 - [On 150527 0930 VA Medical Center in San Francisco
380550 - performed another CT Barium Swallow test - preliminary
380551 - results are favorable indicating patient has not suffered
380552 - recurrent achalasia symtom of distorted esophagus, commonly
380553 - called "bird beak," rather esophagus looks normal.
380554 - ref SDS 28 V56N
380556 - ..
380557 - The doctor was unable to access Doctor Lee's Progress Notes on most
380558 - recent EDG Dilation performed a week before the most recent CT study
380559 - for barium swallow test, and on 130110 0900. ref SDS 18 RG9K
380561 - ..
380562 - We reviewed the record of Doctor Lee reporting great news following
380563 - EGD Dilation saying LESV reduced from 18 mm to only 15 mm whereas
380564 - previously LESV had reduced to 9 mm.
380566 - ..
380567 - Doctor Stewart further noted that Doctor Lee's findings together with
380568 - radiology study on 130117, aligns patient records showing dramatic
380569 - reduction in vomitting to clear the esophagus, reported in case study
380570 - on 101010 0744 compare beginning on 101125, ref SDS 9 V34I, with
380571 - recent period on 130110. ref SDS 9 YY7K
380573 - ..
380574 - Improve swallowing directly reflects resolution of esophageal and LESV
380575 - function to near normal, as shown in CT radiology barium swallow study
380576 - on 130117 0900, ref SDS 19 OH6G, and showing...
380577 -
380578 -
380579 - | |
380580 - | |
380581 - | |
380582 - | | Esophagus
380583 - | |
380584 - | |
380585 - | |
380586 - | |
380587 - | |
380588 - | |
380589 - | |
380590 - | |
380591 - \ | Lower Esophageal Spincter Valve (LESV)
380592 - \ \
380593 - / -----------\
380594 - / \
380595 - | \ Stomach
380596 - | |
380597 - | |
380598 - / /
380599 - / ------------ /
380600 - | /
380601 - \ \
380602 - \ --------------
380603 - -- ----------------
380604 -
380606 - ..
380607 - Doctor Stewart's analysis today aligns with conclusion that the EGD
380608 - and Dilation test on 130117 shows esophagus and LESV significantly
380609 - improved, ref SDS 19 OH6G, from the original study on 050714 1000.
380610 - ref SDS 1 6136 There is no big bulge nor long string-like structure
380611 - that was in the original study nearly 8 years ago, 050714 1000,
380612 - ref SDS 1 B94J, and shown again by Doctor Lee in a meeting at the VA
380613 - on 051202 1430. ref SDS 2 5B5K
380614 -
380615 - [On 150527 0930 VA Medical Center in San Francisco
380616 - performed another CT Barium Swallow test - preliminary
380617 - results are favorable indicating patient has not suffered
380618 - recurrent achalasia symtom of distorted esophagus, commonly
380619 - called "bird beak," rather esophagus looks normal.
380620 - ref SDS 28 V56N
380622 - ..
380623 - Recovery from achalasia shows medication need not be increased, and
380624 - that swallowing may continuing improving with reduced Omeprazole
380625 - medication.
380627 - ..
380628 - Doctor Stewart indicated that patient history showing the wrap
380629 - constructed during Heller Myotomy surgery on 091216 worked well for
380630 - over 2 years, and in the past 6 months or so has been failing
380631 - represents an intriguing medical problem.
380633 - ..
380634 - Doctor Stewart noted that correcting the surgical wrap constructed
380635 - with Heller Myotomy surgery on 091216, might resolve reflux when
380636 - laying on left side. There is a risk of worsening current improved
380637 - swallowing achieved at great cost the past 3 years.
380639 - ..
380640 - Therefore until reflux gets worse beyond a mere nusance, prescribed
380641 - care is to avoid resolution at this time.
380642 -
380643 -
380644 -
3807 -
SUBJECTS
Peripheral Neuropathy Parathesia Symptom Feet Numb Tingling Pins Nee
4303 -
430401 - ..
430402 - Spinal Stenosis Possible Diagnosis Peripheral Neuropahy Parathesia
430403 -
430404 - Doctor Stewart asked about patient history of peripheral neuropathy
430405 - parathesia, discussed with Jesus earlier in the meeting, per above.
430406 - ref SDS 0 N56N
430408 - ..
430409 - Reported peripheral neuropathy was presented to the VA in a meeting
430410 - correlating parathesia symptoms with side effects of Rosuvastatin
430411 - medication to manage LDL cholesterol shown in the record on 120514
430412 - 1300, ref SDS 11 6I70, and citing patient history first reported on
430413 - 120422 shown in case study on 101010 0744. ref SDS 9 RQQT, and with
430414 - severe episode on 120513, also in the case study on 101010 0744.
430415 - ref SDS 9 F97O
430417 - ..
430418 - Explained increased hiking seems to correlate with reduced frequency
430419 - and severity for peripheral neuropathy parathesia, reported in another
430420 - meeting at the VA Cardiology on 120906 1100. ref SDS 12 2I4G
430422 - ..
430423 - Peripheral neuropathy parathesia maintained at mild level with further
430424 - increased hiking to 700 miles over the next 3 months, reported in
430425 - another meeting at VA Cardiology on 121206 0900. ref SDS 15 PK5K
430427 - ..
430428 - Explained meeting with Doctor Tseng this morning. She indicated
430429 - peripheral neuropathy parathesia typically occurs, only within weeks
430430 - and at most a few months after surgery, if at all, per agove.
430431 - ref SDS 0 QM4G
430433 - ..
430434 - Doctor Stewart indicated the next most likely cause of parathesia is
430435 - diabetes.
430437 - ..
430438 - The doctor asked if there is numbness below the knees?
430440 - ..
430441 - Explained there is slight tingling like pins and needles and/or
430442 - numbness only in the balls of the feet and toes.
430444 - ..
430445 - The doctor asked if this occurs continuously and when sitting?
430447 - ..
430448 - Explained the problem occurs only occassionaly and never when sitting.
430449 - Usually this problem occurs after starting on a hike. After about .25
430450 - miles, and lasts another .5 to 1 mile, then goes away for rest of 11
430451 - mile hike. A complete daily history of this problem is shown case
430452 - study on 101010 0744, and showing mild occurrance yesterday on 130121.
430453 - ref SDS 9 SM6O
430455 - ..
430456 - Doctor Stewart explained these symptoms correlate with spinal
430457 - stenosis. She will make a referral to the Neurology Department for
430458 - examination and diagnosis.
430459 -
430460 - [On 130203 1541 VA scheduled meeting with Neurology
430461 - Department to evaluate possible diagnosis spinal stenosis,
430462 - and at VA in San Francisco on 130215 1400. ref SDS 21 LM8K
430464 - ..
430465 - [On 130204 0800 May desk clerk at Clinic Module 2 changed
430466 - meeting with Neurology from 130215 1400 to instead 130227
430467 - 0930. ref SDS 22 PR4G
430469 - ..
430470 - [On 130227 0930 Doctor Abrams in VA Neurology Department
430471 - made clinical examination and reported there is no evidence
430472 - of spinal stenosis nor diabetes. ref SDS 23 UT6T
430474 - ..
430475 - This aligns with Doctor Egan's analysis in the recent meeting last
430476 - month on 121206 0900. ref SDS 15 PK5K
430477 -
430478 - [On 131017 1000 doctor explained patient history of
430479 - intermittant and mild peripheral neuropathy that correlates
430480 - with persistent elevated T Bilirubin in lab on 131015,
430481 - ref SDS 25 015M, and further reported with vitals, diet and
430482 - exercise since prior meeting at VA on 130603, see case
430483 - study on 120101 0900, ref SDS 10 X14N, suggests
430484 - intervention is not required at this time to improve
430485 - recovery from side effects taking Rosuvastatin. ref SDS 26
430486 - LV5J
430487 -
430488 -
430489 -
430490 -
430491 -
430492 -
430493 -
430494 -
4305 -