They forget that we live 365 days or 8,760 hours a year with our illness…
We see them for four 30 minute visits or 2 hours in that year while we’re struggling…
We spend time planning in anticipation of this precious, important moment…
We invest hope and sometimes fear into the event…
We have often orchestrated endless tests and other doctors’ assessments in order that instruments will be tuned to perfection…that they might render us an orchestral visit…
The doctor will listen to us as we have observed our condition relentlessly and respond with the respect due, to the information we offer and know what is needed…
That is what we ask.
By Sally Komar
To subscribe to Epilepsy Talk and get the latest articles, simply go to the bottom box of the right column, enter your email address and click on “Follow.”
Reblogged this on Disablities & Mental Health Issues.
LikeLike
Comment by Kenneth — January 10, 2022 @ 11:41 AM
Nicely said, Susan. Medicare and Covid sadly has changed a lot of rules that even doctors are frustrated with. The visits I get are 15 minutes and maybe 2x a year. I have moved out of state and even finding a Dr is incredibly hard due to Covid. So far, 2 I have not heard back from and I’m on a waiting list for another. Many are not accepting new patients either, all due to Covid. This latest outbreak to the ongoing pandemic is heartbreaking. I have to ask myself sometimes this question…
When did we as Americans become so arrogant that we stopped protecting each other and thought only of ourselves? It’s a ME, ME, ME world instead of an US, US, US one. We are a mess and healthcare is definitely fragile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Janet R. — January 10, 2022 @ 12:07 PM
I have a continuing medical condition which has been going on since August 17th.
I go to one doc and he pushes me on the next.
I wait three months for an appointment, see the next doc and he sends me on to another doc.
And on and on and on it goes.
My issues continue as does the pain.
Who knows, maybe this week’s doc will take ownership of the problem and offer a course of action?
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 10, 2022 @ 12:24 PM
Sorry Sally your typed out as Susan. My apologies😔
LikeLike
Comment by Janet R. — January 10, 2022 @ 12:10 PM
My last visit I chose to do in-person rather that virtual. Little did know that this was an odd/exceptional request. How could I assume that it might be better to share a neurological oddity like epilepsy in-person once-a-year instead of on a computer screen. Oh well–at least I might not share a virus that I do not have to the people in my doctor’s office. In fact, this entire event did provide me with another good chuckle about the current practice of medicine. Let us all not forget to smile about that which seems so silly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by William — January 10, 2022 @ 5:26 PM
My last visit gave me a laugh. (This doesn’t have to do with epilepsy.)
I also have Muscular Dystrophy and have been having new pain and weakness in my hips. I wanted to find out if it was actually from my MD or sciatica. I have had MD my whole life and its very debilitating, unless I find ways to work with it.
I had been sitting in the exam room after being weighed. I was feeling a bit proud of myself, because I had lost five pounds. YAY for me!!
Then the substitute doctor came in, and after I talked to him for about 3/4 of a minute he said to me “we see a lot of this around this time of year due to holiday baked goods”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Nancy — January 11, 2022 @ 9:31 AM
How’s that for a compliment? 😁
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — January 11, 2022 @ 9:35 AM