Marcy,
I actually went and saw Dr. Malanga last month (first week of August) and am in the process of getting it to see him again - I am noticing a gunkier cough and thinking an infection may be coming on - so I am trying to get in soon (my next appointment is set up for the first week of Oct.
He seemed great. He was very nice and answered EVERY question I had - which was alot - everything from how long have you been working with CF patients, what was your experience in NY, to how he thinks he may go about treating me with the bacteria I culture and so on. He was very open and ready to listen and answer questions - which is HUGE for me. I ask a bunch of questions and hate when I feel I am putting the doctor out by asking them. He seemed to be very flexible - meaning if you like to know EVERYTHING about your care like why things are being done and what is being done he will tell you - but if you prefer to just get the meds and be told what to do without going real in depth he is fine with that too. Initially he started off by brushing the surface with alot of things, and then I asked him if he would be honest with me (i the future when I switch my care to his office) and make me aware of his reasoning for recommending and prescribing certain things. I just like to know and understand is all I told him - with that he changed on a dime and started really opening up about everything he was talking about - it was great. I didn't expect it at all I thought he was nice and that he would be willing to keep me informed, but the fact that he became an immediate source of info was really great.
The staff at the office seemed excited to get to work when I went. Like great another CFer .. lets get you taken care of - not great that you have CF but genuinely ready and wanting to get started in your care.
I have only had 1 issue so far with the office - which is because I have called complaining of shortness of breath and everything and left a message and never received a call back. I have called since then and have gotten a response though - so I am assuming I got mixed up in the shuffle of the newness of the office.
I am glad I wasn't the only one that didn't care for Shands that much. I went there last year (after one heck of a time trying to get an appointment), and I just wasn't impressed. I decided I would stay here and go to a pulmo. at Baptist. Then heard about this new office and about jumped out of my skin I was so excited.
As for Claudia, she is great. I do some stuff for them on occasion - Liza, Stacy, Dana, Kris and Andrea. They are great ladies. Claudia is actually who told me about the new office and I had to track down the number to call and make an appointment because she didn't have it. It took a few weeks to pinpoint the number, but I did find it.
PM me if you want the number or need the number and I will gladly send it to you. It will save you from tracking it down the long way lol. Did you go to Nemours - how old are you if you don't mind me asking? When were you diagnosed? If you want to PM me with that you can or if you want me to PM you just say so. We can definitely chat some more.
To add there are several parents of CFers on this site that are from Jacksonville or have ties to Jacksonville through family. I can think of 2 off the top of my head (and then me so that makes 3).
Lindsey