Ode to California Pacific Medical Center Hepatology Center

Today was my bi-weekly blood test. It was a quick and dirty one-tube wonder that measured the standard blood chemistry, hemogloblin, neutrophils, white and red cell counts, etc. It was a screening day for folks who were applying to be in one of the upcoming drug trials, so there was a bit of a wait at the Hepatology Center lab. They have a TV in the waiting room playing nature DVDs on a continuous loop with the sound turned way down. Anyone who has read much of this blog knows how much I like watching concentration free video, so it was not a burden to sit in a comfortable chair and wait my turn.

While waiting my managing nurse from the Roche drug trial (RO5024048 or RG7128 depending on which company you favor) AVB saw me and stopped by to chat me up. Actually she just sat down to ask how I was doing but we older guys can always dream. We talked for a bit and she asked if I was still on treatment, how much longer it was to last, if I was negative, whether I was still working and how I was coping in general. (I asked about her mother and she told me that she was fine, but probably needed to have somebody to talk to outside her family).

I gave her the lowdown on how I was doing – still on treatment, 54 weeks in 24 to go, I have been negative for 12 weeks now, I am still working 4 days a week and aside from feeling very tired all the time and stupid some of the time I felt I was doing okay. Like many people with experience in either undergoing or administering Hepatitis C treatment, she was surprised I am still working. She urged me to make sure that working was not taking too much out of me. She emphasized that if work wore me out too much, it could inhibit my ability to succeed at treatment and that I have to remember to think of my own health first. She reiterated something that she told me several times when I was in the experimental trial, that they would write the papers for a disability claim for me whenever I felt it was necessary. We talked briefly about our holiday plans; she patted my knee (see what I meant about chatting me up…) and went about her business.

I mention that meeting because it is characteristic of the vast majority of interactions I have had with the staff of the CPMC Hepatology Center. From the folks at the front desk to the people who draw blood, to the nurses, technicians and the doctors themselves, they all exhibit genuine concern and care for their patients. I am a relatively relaxed patient in most circumstances, but I have seen them show tremendous patience with difficult, disturbed, confused and unresponsive patients. They are gentle with the physically challenged, explain in great detail the nature of diseases and care, are helpful with the people for whom English is not a first language and generally kind and concerned with those under their treatment.

When they are dealing with me personally, I never feel that they are rushing me through our appointments. They answer my questions (and in fact are more than willing to grill me about how I am reacting and whether previously reported symptoms are still present) and explain medications and procedures until they are sure I understand what is going on. My nurse Alex (who, sadly, is leaving for a better paying job with another health organization) goes so far as to leave messages on all my various phones and then insists I call him back to make sure that his information has gotten to me. Dr. Bzowej has first-rate knowledge of the field and has a warm manner that is a great comfort during a trying time.

There are folks I know (a few in the local Hep C support group) who have not had experiences as positive as mine at CPMC. My wife claims that some of my experience is because I am a good person and that difficult people tend to have difficult experiences but she is not exactly unbiased in her analysis. Nonetheless, I have to say that the CPMC Hepatology Center and the people who staff it have been great to me and a huge reservoir of support for the past year. Let’s hope they only have to play that role for me until next May and that they never have to treat me again after that.