i'm not sure exactly where we'd go to see him - from what i recall he consults in maybe Kogarah and Bondi... but given that i haven't done much to scope it out (i'm the worst person for "hiding" from this stuff) i'm not really sure
Kogarah, Bondi, the city... Kogarah would probably be your best bet, particularly as the hospital that does his blood tests is in the same location.
An email to Dr S would probably be the best way to start with him. He may be able to come up with a way to have blood taken locally and sent to Sydney. The reason I suggested starting with testing with your local FS is because of the whole second opinion thing (something my FS didn't like either). Fortunately, I was in the position where the drugs Dr S wanted to put me on were being prescribed by yet another different specialist who was happy to to do the monitoring and prescribing for me.
I'm so sorry for your losses BG. As the others have said, you have a huge heart and are such a help to many of us here on BB that it's just rotten that this is happening to you of all people.
I may be totally off the planet here but is there any way Dr S would do a phone/video consultation with you so that you don't have to travel to Sydney? I don't know if you have access to all your medical records but maybe you could send those to him beforehand. Maybe he doesn't need to see you in person given that (I'm guessing) a physical examination wouldn't reveal much and any tests he would order could (I'm guessing again) be done at another pathology place.
It seems to me that maybe he could tell you what tests he WOULD do and that you could then go armed with that knowledge to your FS and just telling him you've been doing internet research so that he doesn't have to know you've sought a second opinion. Look, I think it sucks that he gets defensive about second opinions but I can understand you not wanting to get him offside particularly as the logistics of seeing Dr S are so awkward.
Like I said, I'm just guessing here but that's the only solution I can come up with right now.
And no, you're not nuts, but after what you've been through it does help to let all your feelings out so keep doing that.
BG - I've had a chat to DH and if you can manage to get to Sydney, we'd love to have you stay here with us. We are about 1.5 hours max from any of Dr S's locations, most of them only 50-60mins. If you saw him in the city, you could jump on a train and be there in about 45 mins.
We have a big spare room with a double bed and heaps of room for your stuff (we're still sleeping in the spare room because mummy is a big sook and wants to be right next to L LOL!) You could stay a week if you had to, we don't mind.
I know it doesn't solve all the hurdles, but at least it's one you wouldn't have to worry about?? I know we've never met in real life and you may not feel comfortable, but the genuine offer is there babe.
The suggestion of a phone consultation is a great one, he does them all the time and it would be a good place to start. But I strongly suspect he'd want to do the uterine biopsy which would require you to see him in person because as far as I'm aware, no one else in the country has the facilities for this test. As BW said, he does this at St George hospital, which is in Kogarah, about 45mins to an hour from here (he did my lap at St George and travel etc wasn't an issue).
It's so disappointing that your FS is your biggest hurdle...
Last edited by Willow; August 3rd, 2008 at 04:26 PM.
OMG - Willow i am in tears!! that is the most amazingly selfless offer!! what an incredible person you are (and your DH too!!).
i will talk to DH and see what comes of the appointment with the FS in a couple of weeks. i will be putting it to him (FS) that i don't want to proceed (safety net be damned!) until i have some answers - this isn't a simple medical procedure as the FS might see it - every attempt (successful or not) is putting our hearts on the line, putting us through a mammoth amount of stress, angst - and ultimately heart ache - and we can't keep doing this. i am lucky in that i have a most amazing husband that will support me and put up with everything that can be thrown at him - but even he is starting to crack under the pressure of all that is happening...
i will certainly speak to him (when i stop crying!!) and discuss it with him - might have to go see what i can find about Dr S online and arrange a phone consult on one of my days off so that we at least know over the phone what we're up against treatment wise
can i be a really superficial person and put it out there to ask - does anyone know the costs for the uterine biopsy upfront (the procedure as well as the testing itself) - as this is another thing we'd have to factor in to any travel plans...
We never had the biopsy done, but all the other tests I'm pretty sure were billed straight to medicare and didn't cost us a cent. Which was good as it was a 2-hour drive each way with hideous amounts of tolls for us! The costs of the consultations with Dr S were comparable to seeing our regular FS ($130 a go for him, I don't remember Dr S's exact figures).
Meredith, in the absence of answers, I'd seriously recommend seeing Dr S. There's been several threads about him in the past, I'll try to dig up some links for you.
BW
Last edited by butterfly_warrior; August 3rd, 2008 at 05:03 PM.
BG - I truly feel your pain. I am currently going through my 4th m/c (all after AC) and very little answers.
I don't think i can offer you any more advice than these wonderful ladies have given but want to send you hugs and my prayers that you will get the baby you deserve.
On the side, anywhere on BB I can find out more about this wonderful Dr S? Maybe I should consider this option too?
Meredith if you search for dr sacks on the forum, it will locate all the threads in which he's been mentioned. i've also googled dr gavin sacks this arvo, and it links you to the ivf australia website...
Meredith - I think you should. BG beat me to the details
BG - Willow beat me to the punch but I would be more than happy to have you stay with us too (and I am closer to all of the locations ) You could even split time between us if you wanted to stay but felt uncomfortable staying with one of us for more than a couple of days. I do have a little person too so it can be noisy but the offer is there too. I am on a bus and train line directly into the city (takes less than half an hour) and a short drive to Bondi and Kogarah. I am also a great chauffeur
ladies, just having the amazing offer of someone closer in to where we'd need to be than what my cousin is (the one in Bulli) is a massive thing for us - if we came up, we'd more than likely stay with my cousin (he's recently seperated, doesn't get to see family much as no one else up there) - but the option of staying with one of you lovely ladies if we have an early appt is HUGE!
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) You could even split time between us if you wanted to stay but felt uncomfortable staying with one of us for more than a couple of days. I do have a little person too so it can be noisy but the offer is there too. I am on a bus and train line directly into the city (takes less than half an hour) and a short drive to Bondi and Kogarah. I am also a great chauffeur
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