The Doctors

Through the sniffles and the worries, I feel there are some doctor visit stories worth sharing - some humorous, others that you can likely relate to or expect...

The Caring, though Ignorant General Practitioner
This is my favorite story, because of the humor that resulted from my doctor's genuine support. Wednesday, I received diagnosis from my gynecologist. The next day, I had to follow up with my general for another reason that is most likely unrelated. Since returning from China about two months ago, I have had blood in my urine. I had recently finished prescription #2 (nitrofurantoin) and was awaiting my doctor's finding - still blood. As he began to talk to me about scheduling an appointment with a urologist, I started crying. He immediately grabbed the nearby box of tissues, carefully threw away the top one, handed me the next two, and asked, "Is it the ovary thing?" a concerned look in his eyes. He then encouragingly and hopefully stated, "You know, maybe they can figure this out, what's causing it and fix it." I had done enough research at this point to know that most doctors don't know much about POF and therefore, guided the discussion back to why I should continue to take antibiotics when my recent lab work indicated no bacterial growth. I intend to provide his office with information about POF during my next visit. Though, thankfully, it was his due diligence that discovered the problem, in the first place.

The "Dude" Gynecologist
Until meeting my new gynecologist, I had yet to see a doctor with semi-large gauged ear plugs. I'm not judging, it was just new to me. During my follow up to discuss treatment options, he began to tell me the clinical applications of my high FSH levels and then quickly jumped into, "Were you planning on having children?" which is when I broke down. He obviously felt uncomfortable with my emotions, apologized and told me my condition was rare and he thought that I should talk with an endocrinologist. What I love about him is that he knows his limitations and how to manage them. However, he was quick to leave the room and hadn't given me any prescriptions. When I consulted the nearby nurse about hormone replacement, she asked me what type of hormones I was speaking of. Unfortunately, I hadn't brought any of my research and said, "I'm familiar with the term 'hormone replacement therapy,' but I don't know which hormones the therapy consists of." After which, I heard her consult the doctor and his answer was, "What does she want? Birth control?" After following up with the endocrinologist, I plan on following up with this office as well.

The Political Gastroenterologist
Fairly older, my gastroenterologist began the exam by asking me several questions about my background, which considering the speed at which most doctor visits occur, I welcomed. However, the conversation took a turn when he found out I had been working for a wind turbine manufacturing company in China this last summer. Apparently, he's not a fan of wind power, for whatever reason. Anyway, he said that due to my age, he wasn't going to do more than check for parasites (I'm playing down the implications of this comment for reasons you understand if you've ever had to dug in your own poo in the name of a parasite test). However, given the fact that menopause, or something similar to it, isn't supposed to occur until the lower 50's, I asked him a few questions and now have a colonoscopy scheduled for 11 days from now. As much as I don't like tests and medical procedures, I'd rather suffer for about 6 days (I can't have fiber in my diet for 5 days prior to the test!) and know that I'm healthy than be left unsure.

The Business Savvy Urologist
Is technically a "classmate" it turns out, except that his work is paying him to take Corporate Learning classes at Thunderbird, while I am paying for a Traditional MBA. He really wants to stick a camera up my urethra. His rationale - you should never see blood in your urine. He says things like, "If it takes longer than 30 seconds, you can do it to me," and "Let me put it to you in business terms, if it was painful and you told people I hurt you, I'd be out of business." I don't want to get this done because I don't see the need. However, my appointment is scheduled for 11/16.


The (Reproductive?) Endocrinologist
The gynecologist is checking into which (reproductive or general) my insurance will cover and will be sending me his recommendation tomorrow. No idea how quickly I'll be able to schedule an appointment with this specialist. I'm guess the appointment will involve blood work. Scheduled appointment for 11/9.


The Chinese Herbalist
I found a way to get acupuncture and Chinese herbs at a discount - go to the School that teaches the stuff and be seen by students (Southwest College for Naturopathic Medicine). Dr. Deng is the head of the group and sees me for all of 1-2 minutes/visit. I lived in Beijing this summer and find comfort in his broken English and culturally different way of communicating. The two students who administer the acupuncture are phenomenal - very comforting (one with humor, the other with empathy). However, the acupuncture is painful and frightening as all get out, which I am told, means it is working.

Innovative Primary Care
So far, I've been seen by a GP named Dr. Parr - amazing. Though, new doctor, new tests. I now have an MRI (with and without contrast) scheduled of my brain (focusing on the pituitary gland) next Tuesday. I will be meeting with one of the staff Naturopaths who wants to delve deeper into my hormone levels - of primary concern will be my "unbundled T4." I'll be learning what the significance is in a few weeks. Also, Parr tells me I have TMJ, though after reading about the disease, it sounds as though many other diseases are diagnosed as TMJ, which probably means more tests...eventually. However, as the condition is not curable and currently not life-inhibiting - this is at the bottom of my list. Unfortunately, Dr. Parr put things in perspective for me when she said she hoped it was a brain tumor that could be removed so that my ovaries could recover. Without the POF/POI being related to something curable, I have a very low likelihood of ovulating ever again.

National Institute for Health
I received word that my paperwork was received today, however, I need one more FSH blood test before I can schedule my appointment. If I hurry, I may be seen as early as late January 2011.