I have written many times about the aging process and how I believe that we should be rewarded for getting this far instead of penalized. Case in point, I am on the chase for a diagnosis. I am not sharing anything that you all aren’t aware of, but our healthcare system is not just broken, it is almost non-existent.
In April, I had some wonky blood work that indicated I might have procured an issue with my parathyroid. Awesome. I was having some symptoms, but nothing was alarming. My PCP referred me to an endocrinologist. They set the date for my visit two months later. Nice. I didn’t think much about it until my body started a riot. Keep in mind this is all occurring as my father-in-law was dying. It was a lot.
My initial visit with the endocrinologist was not a delight. This individual didn’t put on his listening ears when he got up that morning. He was a “mansplainer” and was not interested in how I was feeling. My blood work was still wonky and I had an enlarged thyroid gland, but none of those items were alarming to him. He just told me to add more calcium to my diet. My PCP was flabbergasted at the dismissal and the wrong suggestion for me.
In the meantime, my symptoms are at rave, so I opted for a second opinion. I found an ENT who specializes in thyroid issues. I was able to get an immediate appointment and relief flooded through me. Prior to the visit, I had typed up the timeline for this escalation. I was anxious to have someone finally listen to me. Maybe I should adjust my expectations.
When the doctor walked in, he had my timeline in his hand and had already reviewed my test results. Instead of a greeting, I got “I am not sure why you are here”. Give this man an award for his bedside manner. After I explained my situation, he then told me that “doctors are like private investigators and that my log was not detailed enough”. Hey, asshole, I am a writer by trade and I am so detailed that sometimes I need to edit myself. Anyway, I was dismissed. He said that he thinks that I am headed toward parathyroidism , but there isn’t anything that he can do right now. I wrote a lovely review on Yelp and joined the many that gave him a one star review.
Most medical professionals that I have encountered are diligent listeners and bask in really helping their patients, but wow, these two need a refresher course on how to provide quality patient care. Anyway, I am now waiting for my appointment with a GI as my digestive situation has become uncomfortable. I wasn’t able to get into him until September. Surprise! Meanwhile, I went to my PCP yesterday, and she agreed that we would repeat the blood work in a couple of months to see where I reside with this thyroid issue and she gave me some medication to help with my digestive issue aka the C word. I am literally full of shit. Oh, happy day!
Why am I sharing this with you? Well, I like transparency and sometimes, when an experience is shared, it helps others. Also, this is just a reminder that you need to be an advocate for your own health. You know your body best. Keep in mind, some of my closest friends are in the medical profession and would be ideal in giving instruction to their fellow doctors on how to be compassionate and kind.
Here is what I know……experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with that experience that helps you evolve and grow. For me, it is all about being in the solution which means not being full of shit both figuratively and literally. It also means following your instincts and not being timid in a medical situation.
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