My first week back from Florida was extremely stressful and hectic. I was little more than a spectator, but it still left me exhausted. This second week was needed. I spent time with family and relaxed. I got to a couple of yoga classes, a poetry discussion, and a group meditation. I caught my breath.
The week coming up is all about appointments. I will go to the dentist on Monday, the eye doctor on Wednesday, and my primary care physician on Thursday.
My PCP is retiring at the end of this month and moving out of state to be closer to her grandchildren. I am happy for her but not at all excited about having to find a new doctor. One of the minor annoyances of aging -- doctors retire. So now do I look for someone young and starting out or someone who is very experienced and might retire in what remains of my life time? Perhaps I am just overthinking things? (Ha! Not that I ever do that.)
My eye doctor is annoying: Your eyes are very healthy; see you in two years. Your eyes are very healthy but you have that little wrinkle in your retina; see you in one year. Your eyes are very healthy but we're getting close to talking about cataracts and your pressure is up; see you in six months. I focus on the healthy part but the six month thing does bother me.
My doctor's appointment is because my fingernails are turning white. It's disconcerting, one, and Dr. W.W. Web has nothing good to say about it, two. Of course I can also hear my mother's voice telling me I need to eat more protein. I felt foolish calling the office to say I might be in liver failure because my fingernails are turning white (it could be a vitamin thing) but the intake worker didn't laugh or tell me to stay off the internet. He just gave me an appointment. At least I will get to say good-bye to my doctor. She will be missed.
The week coming up is all about appointments. I will go to the dentist on Monday, the eye doctor on Wednesday, and my primary care physician on Thursday.
My PCP is retiring at the end of this month and moving out of state to be closer to her grandchildren. I am happy for her but not at all excited about having to find a new doctor. One of the minor annoyances of aging -- doctors retire. So now do I look for someone young and starting out or someone who is very experienced and might retire in what remains of my life time? Perhaps I am just overthinking things? (Ha! Not that I ever do that.)
My eye doctor is annoying: Your eyes are very healthy; see you in two years. Your eyes are very healthy but you have that little wrinkle in your retina; see you in one year. Your eyes are very healthy but we're getting close to talking about cataracts and your pressure is up; see you in six months. I focus on the healthy part but the six month thing does bother me.
My doctor's appointment is because my fingernails are turning white. It's disconcerting, one, and Dr. W.W. Web has nothing good to say about it, two. Of course I can also hear my mother's voice telling me I need to eat more protein. I felt foolish calling the office to say I might be in liver failure because my fingernails are turning white (it could be a vitamin thing) but the intake worker didn't laugh or tell me to stay off the internet. He just gave me an appointment. At least I will get to say good-bye to my doctor. She will be missed.
I do like my older doctor but she is still younger than me. When she retires I'll be dead so there's that. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck next week with the appointments. Try to stay off webmd :-)
I have had to change doctors twice since we moved here. One seem to have aspergers and while he was good a diagnosis he was bad at communicating. My second doctor which I REALLY liked moved because the county and the practice were not to her liking. My current doctor is likable and young, but unless I am bleeding out she seems to be in a rush always.
ReplyDeleteFinding a doctor anywhere seems to be a real pain. I found after my original do retired but I don't particular care for him. His exams are rushed and he's not much of a communicator.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your appointments this week.
Yes, its tough. But good to have a trusted one.
ReplyDeleteThat meme is so funny. Yes. Finding a new doctor is quite a pain. I did end up finding one I really liked. I'm not sure how old she is but since she is going on maternity leave, that gives you an idea. That is also why I went to the foot doctor before I desperately needed one. Since diabetic are such a known problem, I wanted to be sure I found one before I needed to be wheeled into surgery. The foot doctor is also female and slightly older than the DO, I think. I feel silly having my feet looked at every 3 months but since my BIL has had two diabetic foot surgeries because he didn't know or refused to believe, I err on the side of caution now. I'd suggest making it a game - finding a new doctor - if that is at all possible. Maybe suggestions from friends or internet research. I've used doctors associated with a certain hospital as a starting point. Worked for me but you're a smart chick. You'll find your way. And I did specifically decide to find doctors I thought would still be working for at least 20 years. I don't want to find to find anyone else unless it is by choice.
ReplyDeleteI have changed doctors a lot because the medical cooperative/non-profit tended to have some frequently changing positions, but I just get assigned to the new one who moves in and so far all has been well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't written about this, but my trip to the cardiologist last month, that I thought was a routine echo cardiogram for a slight heart Aortic valve stenosis turned out to be "see you in six months" instead of two years. Apparently I have one to two years before I need a valve job. Yikes! I hope your situation is not serious.
I got my hearing tested recently b/c I've been noticing a few problems. They go through the dinging and the buzzing and the finger raising. Then the doctor comes in. "Your hearing is perfectly normal," he tells me, smiling. I breathe a sigh of relief. Then he continues ... "for a man your age." Aargh!
ReplyDeleteI got that same response recently, Tom, when I had my hearing checked. In some ways, it's comforting, but it's also annoying.
DeleteConcerning the doctor problem, two of my doctors recently retired. Now I'm waiting on both my OB/GYN and our family physician to do the same. They haven't said anything, but are of retirement age.
ReplyDeleteAnd I too check the Internet for symptoms... but don't usually mention that to doctors.
I read that of your bowel stool looks yellowish, you might have liver disease. I never read anything about white fingernails. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteAs far as doctors go... I find that older doctors are kinder-- they use words like over weight. Younger doctors use words like obese!!! But... younger doctors may be more up to date on things! Good luck with the fingernails.
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