One person "we" lupies put our trust into is our rheumy's. I am so lucky! I think I have the very best rheumy on this side of the state of Illinois! My appointments always run well over an hour long. Not because of the actual exams or lab work, but because after all of that, my rheumy and I will sit and talk about what's going on in the world of events.
This is my second rheumatologist. My first rheumy, well, let's just say, I had to fire her. This rheumy happened to be her partner in their practice and he was covering for her while she was on maternity leave and my next visit was with him. He ended up leaving that practice and I had no idea where he went. Long story, I basically stalked down my other doctors and begged them to tell me where he went. Doctors have a code of conduct that their adhere to themselves. Kind of like having an unlisted phone number. Luckily I broke my (yes former; another story) neurologist and he told me where he was. SCORE!
I have been with him ever since and I adore him to pieces!
My doctor started to tell me during my last visit), "I had this one patient who I saw for various reasons and she wasn't [really] all there". One day after her exam, I asked her, "do you have any further questions"? She said, "you have nice cuff links". He and I both laughed at this. He said the point is, "it's the things a person notices about the other"...
During my last visit he said to me, "You know, I'm really proud of the work you do". I was kind of taken aback and asked, "what do you mean"? He replied with, "Your advocacy work". "You know, you can make really good money being an advocate at hospitals and other organizations". I kind of laughed at him and said, "I know, but that's not why I do what I do." "I do this work because I like to and it really makes me feel good to help other people and it actually takes focus off how sick I am". He shook my hand and said, "that's why I'm a doctor, to help other people and make them better, but the money is good too".
This is what my doctor noticed about me, my advocate work. I love my doctor!
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ReplyDeleteello. its wonderful to know you in this portal of friendship. i am discovering my Lupus. i have a wonderful Rheumy. She is a wonderful Rheumy and my immunologist,too.
ReplyDeletein The Philippines, people gets to associate Lupus with our late president Marcos(country).he died with Lupus associated in the skin and had kidney dialysis.
i have met few Lupus patients here in our city (Cebu)..it breaks my heart to see them because they aren't able to continue the care.. and meds are very expensive. likewise the blood test,too. how much more if it complicates other organs.
i had learn to educate my self about Lupus through your post, the supports groups where i enjoin myself in. i have a wonderful family support,unwavering and learning from your post,too.
i will be seeing my doctors on May 15....
thank you for the gift of friendship. gentle hugs,too.
I'm so glad to hear that you're able to learn from our support groups and from the research. I'm saddened to learn that in your country it's so costly for others to purchase medication and to get lab work done for lupus. This is a very costly disease to have.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware that President Marcos had kidney dialysis and passed away from that.
Thank you for being part of our support group Eva!