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Over 2 weeks ago I sent Dr. East one final inquiry email. (asking for referrals) A week went by, so I called his office to let them know I had not heard from him. (He has always answered my emails almost immediately and mostly by phone.)
He called me right back saying he never got the email. So I resent it. Today I heard back from him... via Email.
"unfortunately your requests are not possible, due to privacy reasons and that your case is not common. I would be happy to answer any questions and proceed when you are ready."
I had already addressed the privacy issue in my request so I don't really accept that answer. (I told him, "I have no problem with privacy of your patients, if necessary my contact information can be given to them so they can call me. Thank you. I really appreciate it.")
And not for nothing, but I'd be happy to be a referral for any of my doctors if I were happy with them. (Especially when relieved from a deformity.) His patients shouldn't feel any different. And his address to my case being 'uncommon' would help anyone assume that is his way of stating that he has never done Brachymetatarsia and Bunion surgery on the same foot. (In his office he verbally told me he had.)
With this I also noticed that he nearly always called me back when I emailed him. That of course impresses patients. It's a good thing, but it also means none of his answers can be proven because he never wrote them in an email in black and white either. (Yet, he did not call me today to tell me he would not provide referrals... he emailed instead. Interesting.)
For the record, I like Dr. East. He's spunky and positive. But this is feet we are talking about here. While one can appreciate a nonchalant, easygoing demeanor, it can also lend itself to diverting some important things. Expectations and limitations can be misunderstood and then there are disappointments and anger later. The old, "But you never asked that?" or "But I didn't think you meant such and such."
I do know that I am over cautious at times. I'm learning to let some things go and take some risk here and there. But feet are really important, it's your mobility. I am a mobile person and have no one to take care of me, so I have to dot my I's and cross my T's when I can in this process without being overbearing.
The recovery of these surgeries are challenging enough without a botch-job by an inexperienced doctor who wants to practice on you, or increase his numbers on a rare surgery. I don't want to have CORRECTIVE surgery for my surgery!
So that's the deal on Dr. East. Till next time, tootles! ;-)
