."Responses..." 4 (of 27) LISA CARLSON Jan. 5, 1989 at 20:55 (176 characters) This is really fascinating, Slim! I had never thought about the difference in ages of patients and how it might effect the communication patterns with medical professionals. 5 (of 27) PJ Jan. 5, 1989 at 22:48 (946 characters) Your stories about the age difference reminds me of a college friend of mine with CF. She, in her 30's at the time, was also one who beat the average ages of CF patients. Her doctors and treatments were all at Boston's Childrens Hospital and she spent a great deal of time explaining her treatments and course of her disease to interns and various new doctors. I was with her several times when she walked out on those who didn't . Jeanne Walsh. Not a person to be messed with . But she was blessed with a series of good, understanding doctors who did pay her the courtesy of listening and *hearing* what she said. I hope that some people in your current stay will do the same for you! As one with a prolapsed heart valve myself, I've had my share of Colter counters and ultrasounds....it took a great GP with a terrific respect for her patients to first hear me....so any physicians out there, the listening part is SO important! 6 (of 27) SLIM D Jan. 6, 1989 at 18:19 (1685 characters) PJ (5) - What, if you don't mind my asking, is CF? Boston Children's Hospital... Wow, what memories. When I lived in Mass, that's were *I* was followed. Before that it was Chicago Children's Hospital. I *was* a child back then, but I suspect even today, those would be real good places for someone like me to go. A resident was just telling me he has a 1-year-old niece born with transposition. I have never worked long with a Cardiologist who didn't listen to me. I've not been so lucky with the doctor's team members or interns, but usually when you've got the Big Guy's ear, the lesser doctors don't give you too hard a time. And actually, now that I consider it, the head doctors--the actual chief surgeon in the procedure or the head of cardiology at this hospital (who is privately my Cardiologist)--are generally pretty good at listening. It's the assistants, secure in their MD-hood, or the interns, convinced they're on the Road To Truth who don't believe the patients can provide any assistance. Maybe the really successful doctors have learned better, or (cynically) maybe they're just better politicians and make me feel like I'm part of it. It's also possible that I'm an odd enough case to be treated with special attention, and when I express interest and appropriate observations they respond to it in ways they wouldn't necessarily do with everyone. I hope that before becoming head of cardiology, one learns to listen to all the information available, and to treat the patient as important and as an ally. But maybe I've just been lucky. 13 (of 27) PJ Jan. 9, 1989 at 20:05 (230 characters) Slim , CF is Cystic Fibrosis, a pulmonary disease. Problems are numerous but center around the lungs, lots of internal hemorrhaging and such. And I'm with Lisa, your so attuned to your body, it's a lesson to us all! .