Kathi Sigona came to UCSF with a tall stack of medical records and a lot of anxiety about her heart condition. Dr. Jeffrey Olgin他是该组织的联合主任 UCSF心脏和血管中心, helped Sigona get her arrhythmia under control and return to her two loves: work and travel.
你为什么选择UCSF?
After my cardiologist in Modesto told me I had 心房纤颤, I began to research where I could get the best possible care. I was ready to go anywhere in the United States, but before long I learned that one of the best medical centers in the country was in my own backyard, 加州大学旧金山分校.
你是如何选择博士的. Olgin?
I was scared witless when I went in to meet him. I was newly diagnosed and I didn't fully understand what was happening to me. That's why it was such a relief to meet him. From the very first minute, I knew I could trust him.
我丈夫和我在一起. Olgin spent an incredible amount of time answering our questions. He explained every last detail of my condition and my treatment options. He didn't flinch when I pulled out my 4-inch-thick folder of medical records, test results and internet research. He reviewed the entire thing with us.
He also really listened to what I had to say. Instead of fixating on the numbers, he looked me in the eye and asked, "How do you really feel?" It sounds so simple but it made me feel more like a person and less like a diagnosis. He was genuinely concerned about how my 心房纤颤 was affecting my quality of life. He heard me when I expressed how important it was for me to be able to continue living life to its fullest. Right off the bat, I felt like we were a team.
How was the condition affecting your life?
As a middle school principal, I was always on my feet. All day long, I strode from one end of the 15-acre campus to the other. I was in and out of classrooms, the library, the playground and the cafeteria. But 心房纤颤 zapped my energy. I actually had to sit at my desk! I'm not the type of person to spend my time sitting down.
My highest priority was getting back to work. I loved my job and I missed being at full capacity. 我也喜欢旅行, and the unpredictability of my condition made me nervous about straying too far away from home. Even when I did go on trips, I was too tired to enjoy the sights.
How was your 心房纤颤 treated?
Dr. Olgin changed my medications to see if a different drug therapy might help. When it didn't, he performed an 消融, a surgical procedure to restore the heart's natural rhythm. I've since had three more 消融s. Dr. Olgin has watched my progress very closely. I also had a pacemaker implanted to keep my heart on track. I visit UCSF twice a year for routine follow-up. 感谢博士. Olgin and UCSF, my 心房纤颤 is in check.
How was your care 加州大学旧金山分校 overall?
I was impressed by the level of care. For example, I got a 24-hour number to call when an arrhythmia came on. The first time I called it, a doctor answered and told me what to do. I was flabbergasted that I got a real doctor on the phone that quickly!
I had the same great experience every time I used the emergency number, even when I called from Canada. Knowing I had my team on call gave me peace of mind.
How are you doing after your treatment?
我很好. 我回到教室了, this time working at Brandon University, where I supervise student teachers, 这是一种乐趣. I like to say I've graduated from middle school to the university level!
I'm also back to traveling whenever I get the chance. Some of my favorite destinations are Prague, Budapest and London. I grew up overseas, so traveling is in my blood.
What advice would you give other patients?
把健康放在首位. Realize that no one is going to be more invested in your care than you.
