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My New ENT: Dr. Mark Tabor

March 5, 2011

Dr. Mark TaborYesterday was my 6th visit to Dr. Tabor, and he’s really growing on me. For those who are new to the “show,” I had the same ENT for nearly a decade before he retired, and he passed me on to his other CF-knowledgeable doctor in the same office. After my first surgery in 6 years followed by a continuation of my headaches and a bad CT scan, my CF doctors referred me to Dr. Tabor for a second opinion and treatment at the same hospital as clinic: Tampa General Hospital in the USF Health building.

He’s got a really high-tech endoscope system that puts the scope images onto a 17″ HD monitor and has the ability and willingness to record office cleanings and surgery in full HD for his geeky patients with a strong stomach. We had a mis-communication as I was about to go under for my 10th sinus surgery of my long and storied CF career so I will have to wait until my next time to get my hands on what happens when I’m asleep. I missed my septoplasty, but my next surgery will include drilling, which I think will be much more compelling footage… at least for me. Here is some fascinating, graphic video of the last cleaning I had before my January surgery. Thanks to my dad for editing it with my new iMovie ’11 when he was here in December. (Please do not hit play if you don’t want to see nose hairs, slimy mucous membranes, or boogers. Please do hit play if you are awesome.)

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Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at Tampa General Hospital – Part 1

August 21, 2010

Little FatboyI’ve never really talked about going to the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at Tampa General Hospital, so here is Part 1 of my clinic visits.

Growing up in Northwest Ohio, my home clinic was in Toledo, which was a 40 minute drive for us up I-75. I remember that we always had two to four CF doctors in the program, we would often wait for 2-3 hours to get seen by a doctor, and by the time we got out, I was passing out and needed my Taco Bell lunch treat or I’d die. They liked to put me in the hospital a lot and I never, ever had a private room.

Times have changed, my friends. The doctors have gotten smarter and I’ve gotten way, way smarter now that I’m in control of my heathcare with Beautiful as the executor of my dosages. After I start my tale about yesterday’s clinic visit, I’ve got some tips about clinic that you should have to pay me for, so keep reading.

We pulled up to the valet service right at 6:50 for my 7:00 appointment (7:20, really) and informed “the new guy” that we were going up to Harborside 300, which is code for “I get to park for free, so give me the blue ticket.” CFers and transplant patients get free valet service because the parking garage really takes a toll on you – I know, because I was using the garage and getting a voucher when I was in my 20%s and should have been using the valet. Now I know.

Clinic Lobby: EmptyThe waiting room was barren, as normal at that time. I rarely see any other patients before I’m all the way back to wait for the doctors and Sue to arrive, so I don’t even bother with a mask unless someone freaks out, which has only happened once. That early in the morning, it’s a quick stop at the scale, off to the CF waiting room for about 2 minutes (I don’t even bother sitting down) and then across the hall to vitals where I tell them my blood sugar, they take my blood pressure, temperature, and O2 sats.

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