Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Peacemaker

Yesterday I went to the doctor to complain about my knee because money grows on insurance co-pay trees in California. I sat down with the doctor, talking about my suffering, whining, elaborating on my pain. 

I told the doctor I felt like Goliath. After living with lymphedema, then getting uterine cancer, I was now going to be brought down by this insidious knee pain!? I can't let this knee b.s. get the best of me (more than it has already). (And today I woke up with much less pain - go figure.)

My doctor is a woman, beautiful, thin, active. She's at least ten years younger than me. She listened to my complaining, my pathetic little Davy and Goliath story. She is very compassionate with me. Then she told me that she had to have a pacemaker put in since my last appointment with her in January. I decided to quit whining (at least temporarily).

I received some much needed inspiration from a woman who is (at least) ten years younger than me, who just had surgery to make her heart beat like a normal person.

9 comments:

Lee said...

Your doc sounds terrific. Maybe her health challenges are a factor in her compassion...

About your knee, any treatment suggestions? Glad your pain has subsided a bit.

Dr. J said...

With all the complaining I read about doctors on the Internet, it's great to hear something about one of the many good ones!

When I first became a member of the Physicians Black Belt Assoc., the president, a judo black belt from Hawaii, had just had a heart attack, and all he could talk about was getting back to work after 2 weeks!! His patients needed him and he was going to be there for them! He's still doing fine :-)

PS I do hope your knee starts feeling better. Your problem is important to both your doctor and me :-)

Malonie Blue said...

Hi POD
We do need these humbling moments sometimes, although you've probably had your fair share....I have a bung knee too, my excuse not to do much.
P.S my word verification today is
mentomb....a bit giggle-worthy.

Dr. J said...

POD, if you feel like it, email me with a "diagnosis," or description of what your knee pain is.

Tom Rooney said...

I commend you for showing that you have compassion and tolerance. You could have blow off this physician and demanded she get to your problem. It’s good to be humbled once in a while. :)

Dr. J said...

I don't have a problem with you eating eggs. It's a personal choice.

Animal/mineral/vegetable...you tell me which they are? To me they are a fetus.

At this point, I feel fish is a good food for me. I may eventually evolve to "eat nothing with a face," but I'm not there yet.

Mark said...

Have a nice weekend! Dr.J, the complainers haven't met you! :)

Chellie has Issues said...

I hope though that even though you felt "guilty" for complaing that she gave you some ideas for what to do to make it better? Just because you think it's just a little knee doesn't mean you don't feel it's pain. Take care of your pains little or not girl.

And I want one of those copay money trees. We paid $100 in one week on copays so I could use that!

Natalia said...

I'm glad there are some good ones left. I'm going to a new one tomorrow....fingers crossed!