Doctor visits and that hand on the doorknob. I can say with certainty that none of us like going to the doctor. Annual visits for gynecology exams are not “fun” for us women, but most of us go to them because we know they are necessary. Plus getting that yearly mammogram could save our life. We know better, so we go.
I have found a wonderful primary doctor. She listens and acts like I’m the only patient she has on her schedule when she sees me. I see her once a year, I get my questions answered, she sets up any tests she wants and then I’m out of there!
As I have written about before, I have a rare heart defect. My right ventricle is on the left side of my heart. It pumps to my whole body instead of my lungs. Weird. I had a valve replacement 5 years ago and have been feeling great since then. Ship shape!
Have you ever went to the doctor and saw him stand at the door with his hand on the doorknob? Like he was trying to get out of your room as quick as he could. I’d like to say not much has changed with me in 5 years. My meds are exactly the same. I know why I’m on them. I’m knowledgeable about my health, so visiting a cardiologist once a year is more of a check in that I’m doing ok. My labs are good. So why was this guy trying to get out of my room?
I need to back up a little. The cardiologist I started with 5 years ago left to go to another hospital in town. I was disappointed she was leaving, I thought I should follow her, but wasn’t sure. The Mayo doctors came to the hospital I was at. Should I stay or should I go? I decided to stay. Another cardiologist was highly recommended. It was a year before I’d see him.
So fast forward a year. I have my yearly cardiology appointment, and he listens to my heart, lungs, checks my ankles for swelling then walks over and puts his hand on the doorknob. This is our first meeting! He doesn’t know me! At least that’s what I’m thinking. Why doesn’t he ask a question or two? Then he proceeds to tell me that I can follow up with the Mayo doctors instead of him if I want to. No need to do both. Wait… what?
He left the room. His FNP was there. She could tell I was confused. I said something like “ I get seen once a year, if that’s too much for him…”. She said he doesn’t think there’s a reason for you to see both, “it’s overkill”. I see the Congenital heart doctors from Mayo that come to Bismarck once a year also. I think they like to make sure I’m doing fine and have their fellows do an assessment. I have no idea what their names even are. It’s been a different one every year. It’s not like I have a relationship with them. But I have had one cardiologist in Bismarck until now. He pretty much said he doesn’t want to see me.
Now I feel alone. Abandoned. C’mon..I just need someone to look at me once a year. And care for me for like 1 hour. AND you’ll get paid to do it! Ugh. This sucks.
I understand why people give up and quit going to doctors. Believe me, I’ve thought about it. But I know that’s not a good idea either. So, with time I’ll figure this out even with a hand on the doorknob.
