Internal Medicine Physician: I Hit the Jackpot!

For those of you that know me, you know that I am a stickler when it comes to my health, and the health of others. You know that I insist upon finding the correct fit when searching for a physician, and that I strongly believe in self education and advocacy.

I believe that the doctor/patient relationship is just that; a relationship. I believe that it is in the best interest of both parties to listen to each other, evaluate the situation and to then make medical decisions accordingly. 

This being said, I cannot believe that I “hit the jackpot” on my first try; I have found an internal medicine physician that I LOVE: shocking but true. I can count on one hand, probably two fingers, how many times that this has happened. I am still in utter and complete awe, as is my husband. He has NEVER heard my sing a doctor’s praises; especially right out of the gate.

What makes this internal medicine physician so awesome is her knowledge, her demeanor, her compassion, her willingness to listen and her responses. She was the most thorough physician that I have ever had the pleasure to meet, and get this; her office staff was awesome, too! Friendly, competent and on time!

I do not think that I have ever “seen” my doctor, at my scheduled appointment time; I always go to my doctor appointments fully prepared: something to eat and drink, a knitting project, a book and my iPad to play games; prepared for the long haul. Typically I have time to finish up my project, read my book and play a few games before I am ever called back to the second waiting area.

 Yesterday, I barely sat down; they called my name, took my vitals and put me in an examination room. I never even had the time to open my book; within seconds, the doctor appeared. She introduced herself and asked how she could help; an hour and a half later, I left her office completely satisfied, and grateful to have found a doctor that I can relate to; for once, I felt as though every aspect of my health had been addressed and thoroughly evaluated.

I told her about CML, the side effects and my growing concerns over long term drug use for CML. We decided that monitoring and treating current side effects would help with my daily life and that baselines for everything else would be a good idea. She ran blood work, including thyroid, ordered a chest x-ray for any fluid around my heart or lungs, did an EKG and ordered an echocardiogram. I will meet her again in two weeks to devise a medical health plan.

It has only been a day and she has already called with results from the tests that have been performed; I did not have to call and nag the office, even once; shocking. The other tests have been scheduled and my prescriptions are available for pick-up.

See, they ARE out there; we just need to find them.

 Competency at its best; I LOVE that!