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Permalink Reply by sarah on February 7, 2011 at 2:16pm

Well I didn't send and email but I called Stanford for my son cause we was having such a hard time finding him a doctor and from what I hear from another friend that has AVM that PA is very good. Id suggest calling the nuero dept and speaking with them and see what needs to be done. Our primary had to put in the referal with all of my sons records ect and i had a call 4 days later with an appt. good luck to and God bless

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Ables on February 7, 2011 at 5:22pm

Ben, I have sent emils to hospitals in the past with questions and concerns. I've found though that I get quicker and better responses with a phone call and the follow up is also better when speaking to an actual person. I hope this helps and I would definitely recommend sending the medical records first or at  least faxing them a copy of a summary of your condition. This is how I first got into UCLA. My neurosurgeon had emailed all of my scans and records to the "referral" line. This was a year ago and I've yet to receive a response from that line. I'm thinking it was because they probably receive so many. After having waited a week, I went online and got the exact phone number of the doctor and he contacted me back within 48 hours, had me send him my scans on a CD, and got me in for a consult two weeks from the time of initial contact. Within two months I'd had new scans done, been fitted for my SRS mask and my actual treatments scheduled. This was back in June 2010 I hope this helps and I wish you the best. I'd also like to say that by mentioning above that my referral hadn't been answered by UCLA in no way speaks of their service. I know that the line my info went to first probably gets filled with other referrals and patient records that it takes a lengthy amount of time to get to them. Their care and service has been excellent, it just helps to have them put a face or voice to the records they have in front of them.

Best to you,

Jessica

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Permalink Reply by Brett D on February 7, 2011 at 9:48pm

Hey Ben,

When I was getting second third fourth opinions etc only one of them answered questions via email. However I did have a prior appointment with him that he had to cut short as he had an emergency to attend. Maybe he did this to make up for the short time I had with him.

I posed a question Here in the weekend and got a reply with in a few minutes. I got a quick answer but he stated he could not give me an accurate answer without knowing my records in detail and he suggested I schedule a consultation with his office. I'm in California so I didn't want to waste his time. He was very accommodating however.

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Permalink Reply by Diane -Paul Faherty Mom on February 7, 2011 at 10:03pm

wHAT STATES ARE YOU CLOSE TO? WENT TO JEFFERSON WITH MY SON, NOT IMPRESSED WITH DR. ROSSENWASSER, FROM JEFFERSON. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY FRIEND ME. I CAN'T STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF MULTIPLE OPINIONS WE GOT SUCH DRASTIC DIFFERENCES IN MY SONS PLAN OF CARE FOR RESIDUAL AVM, THANK GOD I SEARCHED OUT OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION AND FORTUNATE TO HAVE INSURANCE THAT ALLOWED US TO DO SO. i DO BELIEVE THAT THE NEURO MD NEEDS TO VIEW YOUR SCANS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN. ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH AVMS SINCE NO 2 ARE ALIKE. ALL THE BEST TO YOU.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Morrell on February 7, 2011 at 10:13pm

Thank you everyone for you comments and suggestions. 

 I did go ahead and sent an email to a doctor/hospital that's only 50 miles away from where I live.  It's a research and teaching hospital with a good reputation.   Now, I'll wait and see if they reply back.

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