Thursday, October 24, 2013

Someone Out There


So...I owe ya'll the story of just how I got in to see a decent doctor....Now, if you've been reading this blog for a bit, you know I've written of some fairly, umm, serendipitous events in my life and I know that some of them might have seemed a bit far fetched.  However, I assure you that they are all true, as with this story.  I honestly don't think I could make this stuff up if I tried. 

A few days after I had announced that I would be suspending my blog, I sat here in this chair one morning with a Birmingham phone book in my lap.  My tunnel vision had opened up enough that I could see that my kidneys probably were not the issue after all.  And I know that laypersons should never try to diagnose themselves, but I had to try something.  I mean, the doctors I had seen weren't battin' any higher.  Might as well do a little research and in the course of that I thought maybe I should try a neurologist.  What the hell?  It seemed the only thing left.  I know many of you have had your own wranglings with our wonderful health system and know you don't just waltz in to see a specialist though.  A few phone calls that morning proved that once again.  I sat at the kitchen table on the verge of tears trying to think of which doctor to beg for a referral and hoping I could get in before November.  I decided to take a shower, because that always makes you feel better, and on my way past my desk I saw I had received a new e-mail.  Half-heartedly I sat down.  It looked like spam because it started with "Edifice Rex..."  Spam usually does.  I opened it anyway and read the short email. .  This is part of what it said:
" I am the head of Neuro-oncology at UAB and a neurologist.  Don't worry, I don't think you have a brain tumor but I would be happy to see you or review your records to help get direction on solving your health problems."  I guess you never can tell who might be reading your blog.  He suggested I Google him to check his background, which I did, but are you kidding me?  I would have been tickled to get in to a doctor at Brookwood or somewhere but the head of the department at UAB!!... Yeah, I'll take that.  After I was able to pick my jaw up off the floor, I replied with the requested info and within the hour a very nice assistant called me to verify an appointment 2 days later at the Kirklin Clinic no less.  Now, for those of you who don't live in Alabama, being asked to come down to Kirklin is, in the medical world, like being asked to come to Carnegie Hall.  It was a totally different experience to me.  I was treated like a person and the doctor listened to me!  For a long time!  I know it doesn't take much but my mind was boggled.  I have hope again.

So now.  Another round of blood work done, 15 minutes or so of funny exercises to see if I could touch my nose, touch my toes and Friday morning I go let them shoot dye into my veins and take pictures of my brain.  So... we'll see.  Will these new tests reveal anything? .  Either way, I know that every once in a while we encounter an individual that teaches us not to despair.  There are good people everywhere.

13 comments:

Maggie said...

Godincidents! That's what they are called. And I also prayed for an earlier appt. for you.

To be listened to is a very great thing. Now we hope for answers and resolutions.

Maggie from Plano

Pablo said...

There really are good people everywhere, and most people are still good even when they're not perfect.

I hope you continue to share with us as much of your journey as you feel comfortable with.

ErinFromIowa said...

I will keep thinking positive thoughts for you. Keep us posted. You never know who will be helped with the information.

Anonymous said...

What Pablo said…

MamaHen said...

Hey Maggie! thanks! I appreciate that!

Hey Pablo! you are very right of course. I just seem to have had more than my fair share of ones that just don't give a crap. No referrals, no help, just take these pills or get out.

Hey Erin! True! that's why I keep writing.

Hey Woody! yep!

Rita said...

Thank God for this miracle. I am always watching for more info about your health. So thankful for this. I believe this wonderful doctor will find out what is wrong and be able to help you.

JO said...

I am keeping you in my thoughts for some answers and even a cure for you. Best wishes on your tests today. will be looking for your results.

Unknown said...

Ah, sweet mystery of life ... Love it!

Ed said...

Having a doctor for a spouse, I can honestly say that some of the stories she tells me of things other doctors do to patients makes it hard for me to have faith in the medical profession. But like you said, not everyone is a bad doctor. On their behalf though, you should hear of the stories my wife tells me of people coming into her office lying left and right about their prescriptions (she can call the pharmacy and check) trying to get more powerful and addictive drugs prescribed to meet their addiction. It really wears on a doctor dealing with that and I think like anyone, they eventually burn out and just adopt a 'don't give a crap' attitude towards their patients. I've told my wife to retire before that happens to her.

Anyway, hopefully this new guy is a good one and you get some long awaited answers.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Wow that is some great story and the best part is that it's all true and sounds like you got one who will listen and not prescribe aimlessly. Hope the new tests will be helpful in finding a solution that will work out for you.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful and hope he can come up with some answers for you. I wish I could get my sister to come up and see him. Will be waiting for posts. It is very frustrating. Medicine is horribly broken. The Good, the Bad and the UGLY reside there.
Hang in there.
Tammy in LA

MamaHen said...

Hey Rita! I believe so too and I will post about all the info I learn.

Hey Jo! thank you!

Hey Ken! I thought it was pretty cool too!

Hey Ed! Oh, I agree. I am one of the few people in my family that is NOT in the medical field, so I have heard all kinds from both sides too.

Hey Bea! thanks! I'm hopeful too.

Hey Tammy! yes, it is badly frustrating and broken is a good way to describe what I see.

pamit said...

Such good news there! Hey, my best friend is a retired doc and he also thinks that most doctors are incompetent. But if this one reached out to you, I bet you will get some great results, information, and hope!