Dr. William Stewart, MD

I had the first stage of a neurostimulator implant for my bladder done at Riverside Same Day Surgery Center on October 3, 2023. Dr Stewart was my anesthesiologist. First of all, he asked me pointedly WHY I use a wheelchair if I can (technically) walk. As though there weren't different levels of disability that might still require the use of a mobility device, other than like paraplegia. In my case, my mobility abilities almost hardly even constitute walking, more like a really slow, unsteady hobble (with at least a cane). I have extremely unstable, wobbly feet and ankles, in addition to joint hypermobilty, very heavy feeling legs, and episodes of extreme dizziness, not to mention severe chronic pain, due to multiple different conditions, and am a fall risk. It wasn't just that he asked me that, he did so in the most arrogant way. Perhaps an education in dealing with disability should be mandatory?? Then, in the OR (under "sedation"), apparently he couldn't hear me saying the entire time that I was IN PAIN. To be fair, I have extreme neck hypermobilty and Occipital Neuralgia, so we had propped up my head and neck with blankets and pillows all around- lying face down for the procedure, so I'm sure that muffled my sounds of pain somewhat. Here's a thought though: perhaps he should have done a TEST before the procedure began to make sure he could hear me?! I wasn't allowed to lift my head or move during the procedure, so I was stuck there for the entire 65 minute process of putting in the neurostimulator implant, feeling every needle, every incision, and the cord placement/threading through my body, (loudly) groaning in pain and clawing at the table with my hand- somehow everyone missed that last part?! When they were done, Dr. Stewart told me that I had slept for part of the procedure- apparently I had done such a good job of holding still through the pain. If only he had been half as good at HIS job.