Journeyman Dave...did you check your mail

[rdmc]

Also any other USF neuro patients, letter came today announcing Dr. Krolczyk's departure.

I'm glad for him, sounds like a great opportunity leading MS research for Genzyme. Although rather ironic because at my appt just last week his NP and I agreed best choice for me was to wait for BG12 ...Genzyme makes the other new pill, I'm pretty sure.

But does anyone who's part of this MS Center know anything about the neuro that will take over in the interim? They're evidently searching for a replacement.

It didn't say when this would happen...anybody have a clue?

[journeyman]

OMG No. I didn't hear anything about this.

Well, Crap. My pulse is pounding and I feel like I'm going to go into withdrawal. He's been my only Neuro since being Dx.d.

Thanks for telling me. I have no idea what I am going to do.

Anybody know of any good Neuros. specializing in MS in the Tampa Bay Area.

I wish I could be happy for him but right now I'm being really selfish and fearful.

Thanks.
Dave
"Journeyman"

[rdmc]

Dr. Cascione is at the South Tampa MS Center...it's near Hyde Park and Memorial Hospital.

I think I'm going to look for somebody local, and give up on the drive to an MS Center. Even at USF, you don't see Krolczyk after the initial visit, just the NP, and I really didn't like their message system (I think we discussed that.)

That's the second great neuro USF has lost. Right now I can't come up with the former neuro's name, but i think he retired, so maybe they'll bring on somebody great again, but the letter said they were searching and one of the other neuros would be an interim stand in.

[BobOP]

Hi All

I have heard through the grapevine that Dr Peter Dunne will be coming back on a very limited basis until they find a permaent replacement.

Besides Dr Cascione, I also like Dr Arthur Pedregal.

Take Care, Bob

[journeyman]

Thanks everybody.

I'm calmer now. I was so flipped out by that news yesterday. Today I just lost my Humana MS health care advisor who has been with me for years.

I am supposed to have oral surgery on Monday and woke up with an outer, inner, eustachian tube and sinus infection. I have been off anti-coagulants for a week now and can't get an answer from my USF docs., (no surprise there).

If they can't get me on anti-biotics today I probably will have to cancel and start all over again.

Thanks for your help once again. Now that its cooler here in Tampa I think I will just sit out under the tree, have a glass of wine and not think about this. After that a nap may be needed.
Dave

[rdmc]

Hi All

I have heard through the grapevine that Dr Peter Dunne will be coming back on a very limited basis until they find a permaent replacement.

Besides Dr Cascione, I also like .

Take Care, Bob

Dr. Dunne...yeah, that was the neuro I couldn't remember.

Well Bob, we know you have "connections"...so your grapevine news is solid

So is Dr. Krolcyzk leaving soon...that just wasn't in the letter but it was the impression I got from the letter.

[BobOP]

Hi Rdmc

The note I got is that Dr Krolczyk is leaving at the end of this week....I guess that would mean today was probably his last day.

Dr Krolczyk wasn't my dr but I did get to interact with him over the years at MS programs in the tampa bay area.

He replaced Dr Dunne & I am sure his replacement will be on the same level.

Take Care, Bob

[journeyman]

Krolczyk

Yup. I just got the letter too. His credentials are spectacular and he just takes his time with you and explains everything. I am happy for him but I am also mad a hell that I am losing him. Oh. from the letter it looks like it looks like he's taking the whole crew with him.

Dave

[journeyman]

To all those USF/Tampa Bay Neuro patients.

Was seeking a referral from you guys for another good MS neuro here in the area. Your rec. Dr. Cascione.

Just talked to Cascione's office. They are getting bombarded. They have just lost one of their Neuros. Dr. Cascione is only able to see ~"...nine patients per day."

So...I guess it will be a big scramble here in the Bay area for new neuro's.
Dave
"Journeyman"

[rdmc]

Was seeking a referral from you guys for another good MS neuro here in the area. Your rec. Dr. Cascione.

Just talked to Cascione's office. They are getting bombarded. They have just lost one of their Neuros. Dr. Cascione is only able to see ~"...nine patients per day."

So...I guess it will be a big scramble here in the Bay area for new neuro's.
Dave
"Journeyman"

I'm going to see one in about 3 months (which would be my next appt. at USF), on my side of the Bay. It's a large neuro practice, with a good reputation, no MS specialist per se, but I'm (my MS that is) is pretty figured out...although I have lots of issues, we know where the offending lesion is that's causing them. And now I've been run through all the specialists to rule out the problems might be from something else. Dr. Krolczyk was so helpful in nailing all the varied problems to that lesion...so with his validation, I don't think I'll have any problem transitioning to a "regular" neuro.

I sought a recommendation from a couple other physicians who I see and respect.

Dave, if you're set on an MS Specialist and can't see Cascione , there's one in Sarasota (you could visit the Ringling museum...which is one of my faves, and have an appt. all in the same day, just kidding of course.) Donald Negroski is the specialist in Sarasota, and there might be one in New Port Richey...none in St. Pete or Clearwater that I'm aware of.

[journeyman]

RDMC

My next appt. with USF was not until Jan. All my records are there. So I think I will just hang out and see what happens there. Maybe by then they will have their new person.

I hate to start all over again and maybe it's best that I just stay and play this out since they were questioning my MS anyway. I'd hate to think that I wasted four years of treatment and testing for nothing.

I told Gomer that unless something happens I am just about out of this game. I told my wife that she knows my history and if I "conk" just call 911 and take me to my favorite ED and let them deal with it.

Just for grins. When I called Cascioni's office (to show how important first impressions are), I gave a brief history about how Dr. K. had me on increasing doses of vit. D an so far seemed to be working for me. Her comment was, "YEAH ! Well, good luck with that!" That really un-sold me on Cascioni.

Oh, well...hanging in there and still in remission. Thanks everybody for all your interest, comments and compassion.
Dave
"Journeyman"

[rdmc]

My next appt. with USF was not until Jan. All my records are there. So I think I will just hang out and see what happens there. Maybe by then they will have their new person.

I hate to start all over again and maybe it's best that I just stay and play this out since they were questioning my MS anyway. I'd hate to think that I wasted four years of treatment and testing for nothing.

I told Gomer that unless something happens I am just about out of this game. I told my wife that she knows my history and if I "conk" just call 911 and take me to my favorite ED and let them deal with it.

Just for grins. When I called Cascioni's office (to show how important first impressions are), I gave a brief history about how Dr. K. had me on increasing doses of vit. D an so far seemed to be working for me. Her comment was, "YEAH ! Well, good luck with that!" That really un-sold me on Cascioni.

Oh, well...hanging in there and still in remission. Thanks everybody for all your interest, comments and compassion.
Dave
"Journeyman"

I'm sure that's a wise decision, especially considering your recent "which is it" game you had to play.

The letter says that USF was being solicited by some big names in MS, so they may end up with someone you'll like as well. But I think Dr. K's easy going manner and listening skills may be rare, who knows, maybe not. He was a D.O. and a pain management guy as well as an MS speciliast, so I think the combination was a good fit.

As far as the staff at Cascione's, don't know what she was thinking, or should I say, "If she was thinking." But I have met my share of office staff who although the doc might be great, the office staff just isn't up to par. That's a shame and I often wonder if the docs are aware of it.

Well good luck with the new guy.

[journeyman]

RMDC

Thanks for your advice and support in this crazy matter. I really appreciate you.
Dave