I have been waiting at the bus stop......the bus did not show up

38 months ago my cancer metastasized to my liver, and the average life expectancy after endocrine cancer had metastasized was 38 months. So the bus has not arrived and I beat the average, and the double shots probably has skewed the prior data in my favor, but I am very thankful today when I got my shots at Northwestern. I have lived long enough to actually make it better for the cancer patients who use the 21st floor of Northwestern Hospital. I have written letters outlining how terrible they treat the sickest people and that they can do a better job. I was amazed today to see that they scrapped the restaurant discs which flash when they are ready for you. I have been brutal on relaying the inefficiencies and horror stories I have seen over the last three years. I am hopeful that they will implement all my suggested changes, but most important is a series of monitors on the wall which give patients status of their appointments. They have added more schedulers since my earlier letters and process sick people much more efficiently. I am hoping next month I will see the status monitors which like a courthouse, or airport tell you that your case or flight is on time and will be processed at what gate. If the doctor, lab, or infusion group is running behind, to simply post the delay on the monitors, and also show on the monitors that you have checked in and are there.

I have seen too much suffering and too many tears from very sick people and their families. My cancer will kill me, but it is slow and has allowed me to live long enough to make constructive changes on how sick people are handled. Northwestern and their surgeons and specialists have given me a bit more time, and I was so excited to see my suggested changes taking effect.

The bus stops for all of us.......we think we know the general schedule, but sometimes a little delay is not all that bad, and I look forward to next months shots to see if more positive changes can happen. I have never been happier than the last three years and I certainly knew with my luck that my 38th shot today may have never have happened. I am blessed.

2seaoat wrote:38 months ago my cancer metastasized to my liver, and the average life expectancy after endocrine cancer had metastasized was 38 months.  So the bus has not arrived and I beat the average, and the double shots probably has skewed the prior data in my favor, but I am very thankful today when I got my shots at Northwestern.  I have lived long enough to actually make it better for the cancer patients who use the 21st floor of Northwestern Hospital.  I have written letters outlining how terrible they treat the sickest people and that they can do a better job.   I was amazed today to see that they scrapped the restaurant discs which flash when they are ready for you. I have been brutal on relaying the inefficiencies and horror stories I have seen over the last three years. I am hopeful that they will implement all my suggested changes, but most important is a series of monitors on the wall which give patients status of their appointments.  They have added more schedulers since my earlier letters and process sick people much more efficiently.  I am hoping next month I will see the status monitors which like a courthouse, or airport tell you that your case or flight is on time and will be processed at what gate.  If the doctor, lab, or infusion group is running behind, to simply post the delay on the monitors, and also show on the monitors that you have checked in and are there.

I have seen too much suffering and too many tears from very sick people and their families.  My cancer will kill me, but it is slow and has allowed me to live long enough to make constructive changes on how sick people are handled.  Northwestern and their surgeons and specialists have given me a bit more time, and I was so excited to see my suggested changes taking effect.

The bus stops for all of us.......we think we know the general schedule, but sometimes a little delay is not all that bad, and I look forward to next months shots to see if more positive changes can happen.  I have never been happier than the last three years and I certainly knew with my luck that my 38th shot today may have never have happened.  I am blessed.

You have made a difference. I am happy for you.

You have not spoken about how they treat the sickest people? How do they?

Some folks can barely walk, have helpers, walkers, and wheelchairs, but others bravely used to wait in lines where no chairs were available. People often would be seven or eight deep waiting to check in. They have added four check in stations and have a person assisting people to check in and line up. Three years ago it was chaos. Moffit Cancer center in Florida was organized and had the check in area separate from infusions on the second floor. Northwestern has the best and brightest, but they really never get much feedback because most people simply die.

Much better organized with people getting registered and finding seating, getting parking validated, better database updates on check in for repeat patients, and a MUCH better staff attitude. Training and taking the patient needs matters. It is sad everytime.