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I arrived at my appointment with Dr. Sofianides with my husband and mother in law in tow, expecting to hear about my RAI treatment, LID etc. I was prepared for a doctor who didn't want questions or didn't care for the internet (I hadn't really talked to him since my diagnosis and since I had contacted all the wonderful thyroid cancer resources I've found). I handed the biopsy over to him and we waited in the waiting area while he read it.
Well, to my surprise he has referred me to Dr. Tuttle in NYC. Yes, the top doctor Dr. Tuttle. (I had just spotted his name on the www.thyca.org site yesterday.) Apparently that is his standard practice for the 10-15 thyroid cancer patients he sees yearly, especially since mine has spread into the neck. He was mentioning about injections etc (Thyrogen) and he didn't seem upset that I'd researched stuff on the internet -- he seemed more encouraged than displeased. He actually thought I'd have MORE questions. He also mentioned Dr. Hurley as a backup in case Dr. Tuttle didn't take my insurance. Dr. Sofianides did seem to indicate he could do routine follow up after my treatment. He took blood (because I asked about my calcium). He did not think I needed a dexascan even though I have a family history of osteoporous. I plan to ask again at my next endocrinologist appointment just in case. He gave me a prescription for 112mcg of levoxyl to take between now and whenever (the Rx is only for 40). I can go back to work Monday, as the surgeon said. Dr. Sofianides is apparently just a thyroid specialist and has seen a lot of people in NJ according to him - I just had called his office on the phone after finding him on my insurance list and surprisingly *HE* answered with an appointment open the next day!)
(I should have realized he trusts the NYC specialists a lot, when he tried to send me to Columbia for the thyroid operation He did know of Dr. Davis, and I told him everything went fine with the operation...kind of hinting he doesn't have to send everyone to NYC for surgery.)
I went home and filled the prescription. It's pink (my favorite color!). I took one today (I asked if it were ok), because I figured the sooner I started thyroid again, the sooner my headache would go away (even though I know thyroid doesn't work immediately).
I called Dr. Tuttle's office. They take my insurance as out of network. I have a very reasonable deductable for out of network, so I arranged for the first available appointment which is April 9th at 10 AM. I wasn't impressed with Dr. Hurley's office on the phone, and they didn't seem to take ANY insurance - blech!
I also had to call the hospital. I still haven't gotten my records yet (they said it could take up to 30 days). I also needed stuff sent to both endocrinologists including the slides to Dr. Tuttle. So they've been faxed and I hope the records are sent to the appropriate people.
I've got some errands and stuff to do the next 2 days including getting that annoying toenail looked at, but am planning to be as close to normally busy as I can over the next few weeks instead of worrying about my appointment. I feel I'm only waiting to find out the details, I know the general plan.
Well, to my surprise he has referred me to Dr. Tuttle in NYC. Yes, the top doctor Dr. Tuttle. (I had just spotted his name on the www.thyca.org site yesterday.) Apparently that is his standard practice for the 10-15 thyroid cancer patients he sees yearly, especially since mine has spread into the neck. He was mentioning about injections etc (Thyrogen) and he didn't seem upset that I'd researched stuff on the internet -- he seemed more encouraged than displeased. He actually thought I'd have MORE questions. He also mentioned Dr. Hurley as a backup in case Dr. Tuttle didn't take my insurance. Dr. Sofianides did seem to indicate he could do routine follow up after my treatment. He took blood (because I asked about my calcium). He did not think I needed a dexascan even though I have a family history of osteoporous. I plan to ask again at my next endocrinologist appointment just in case. He gave me a prescription for 112mcg of levoxyl to take between now and whenever (the Rx is only for 40). I can go back to work Monday, as the surgeon said. Dr. Sofianides is apparently just a thyroid specialist and has seen a lot of people in NJ according to him - I just had called his office on the phone after finding him on my insurance list and surprisingly *HE* answered with an appointment open the next day!)
(I should have realized he trusts the NYC specialists a lot, when he tried to send me to Columbia for the thyroid operation He did know of Dr. Davis, and I told him everything went fine with the operation...kind of hinting he doesn't have to send everyone to NYC for surgery.)
I went home and filled the prescription. It's pink (my favorite color!). I took one today (I asked if it were ok), because I figured the sooner I started thyroid again, the sooner my headache would go away (even though I know thyroid doesn't work immediately).
I called Dr. Tuttle's office. They take my insurance as out of network. I have a very reasonable deductable for out of network, so I arranged for the first available appointment which is April 9th at 10 AM. I wasn't impressed with Dr. Hurley's office on the phone, and they didn't seem to take ANY insurance - blech!
I also had to call the hospital. I still haven't gotten my records yet (they said it could take up to 30 days). I also needed stuff sent to both endocrinologists including the slides to Dr. Tuttle. So they've been faxed and I hope the records are sent to the appropriate people.
I've got some errands and stuff to do the next 2 days including getting that annoying toenail looked at, but am planning to be as close to normally busy as I can over the next few weeks instead of worrying about my appointment. I feel I'm only waiting to find out the details, I know the general plan.
