I have been with my doctor for 16 years. Sally is an internal medicine doctor. She is the best doctor I have ever had. (And I have had my share!) All I have to do is drop her name when I am speaking to other doctors and a look a fear crosses their face. I love that look! I admit it!
Last Thursday I received a ‘Dear John’ letter from her office; from her personal nurse. My doctor is quitting! She’ll be done in two weeks. It was a very informal letter, sent to all of her patients. But I took it a bit personally. Sixteen years, Sally! Does that mean nothing?!?! We had something special! Didn’t we?
After I calmed down, no that’s a lie, I am still freaked out! I did respond to the email, thanking her for being a top doctor, wishing her well, and thanking her for saving my life, quite literally. Then I asked her for a damn referral! Where am I even to start searching for a new doctor??? What about me?!?!
I can’t quit my disease. I can’t quit my medical care, my meds, my flares. I have to keep going! She’s about my age, why is she quitting? IS she quitting? Did she get – gulp – fired?!?! I need more information. I need more than a ‘Dear John’ letter.
She will be back in the office tomorrow, I hope to hear something from her this week…
I will need to find a new doctor soon. Very soon, damn it!
~Kim
That really sucks Kim. Finding someone who is good, empathetic, doesn’t have an ego the size of Texas and actually listens is so hard to find these days. Good luck!
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It does suck! I’m scared. Thanks for the luck! I’ll take it.
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I so hope you find a new doctor as good as or better than Sally.
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Thank you, Brigid! I will search until I do! 💜
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What a bummer. Hope you get a good one.
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I know! So bummed. Thanks, Sadje.
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All the best.
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I know the feeling, because for years my daughter tried to, and finally did, find a good doctor who is empathetic and ‘human’, and she would be devastated to lose him.
As do others, I wish you good luck. 🙂
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You’ve obviously been through it with your daughter. So glad she finally found a good one. I’m sure it will take me time as well. But I’ll find one! Thanks for the well wishes.
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Just a thought, but my neurologist gave me the new clinic she would be working at. I traveled hours to see her, but if was worth it. Ask some questions Kim! Tell her you would like to follow her and ask when no other staff is around. Give her permission to call your personal cell number and ask her to do so. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best honey!
~ Tamara
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Thanks, Tamara! I will ask to follow her if that’s an option. I will drive to any state to continue care with her. I hope that will be an option.💜
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Kim, this sucks. I am so sorry. Hopefully she will be able to find you someone who she knows and who will be a good fit for you. I once had to leave my specialist because of stupid insurance crap, but thankfully he referred me to another really wonderful doctor. I want to know more about this sudden departure of your doctor…please keep us updated.
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Thanks, Susan. Yes, I need more answers so will keep you posted. I’m hoping for some kind of contact this week. Otherwise I’ll call her cell. I have her number and she has mine. I don’t like to do that except for real emergencies so I need to see if she responds to my email, first. It’s so hard to find doctors who can handle complicated cases anymore! Frustrating.💜
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Oh man Kim that sucks, that really sucks.
I hope you get more answers and it’s that she is changing practices and you can follow.
It’s hard to find doctors who can jump into a case and continue to treat it, they want to start over and that means decreasing our care until they decide it needs to be increased. or in my case, send me to every specialist under the sun because she doesn’t understand anything and doesn’t seem to trust past doctors or something. Most of that has been fine, but sending me to a GI doctor because I take Prevacid every day because my old GI doctor said I should is crazy. Get my records. I had a scope last April. sorry I’m venting on your post. I’m just tired. so tired of doctors. I don’t want you to get in the boat with me. If you end up having to get a new doctor, may it be the best doctor ever!
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Vent away! I agree with everything you said. Well… “maybe you need a stress test…” That was the latest suggestion by a doctor who saw me for a follow up visit after I had pneumonia. Seriously? Your stress test will put me right back in the damn hospital. I am stressed! I admit it! I take medicine for it, read the dang file! I hear you Wen and I know exactly what you are talking about. God forbid we mention OUR reasons as to why we need or don’t need medical attention… let alone uneccessary testing! Awe. Damn. It’s gonna be a long road for me as I try to find a new doc. Hopefully she will refer me to a doc she can discuss my background with. If she is just changing practices, I will follow her… Drive time is of no importance!
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It just shouldn’t be so damn hard to find a good doctor. Wishing you all the best in your search Kim, but hoping you dont have to have one.
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Just do an outline and then start writing. Don’t worry about anything but that. Editing, spelling, sentence structure all comes later. Just begin, enjoy the writing time… 😊
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Darlin’ was this meant for me?
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oopppsss… nope. Alyssa. It was meant for Alyssa. Good lord!
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I do love it when you call me Darlin’ … 😉
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Oh dear Kim, I am so sorry your doctor is leaving. I do know just how hard this is as my favorite doctor when I was first diagnosed with MS retired. It was heartbreaking, but I know you will find another doctor that will treat you right. I think after 16 years with this doctor, she will be happy to refer you to one that she trusts and you can still drop her name when needed!!!
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I think so too. Thanks Alyssa. xo
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I am always sending you much love and many positive vibes! Just a little secret to share. I am currently working on another Fellow Blogger Recognition and it will be about how incredible you are!!!
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Really? Wow, thank you. I really like the bloggers you have recognized this far! Such a great idea! And really sweet of you. 💜
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Absolutely! Kim, I do sincerely appreciate you and what you do with your amazing blog. You really are a remarkable person and I know anyone that isn’t aware of your site, will be beyond happy to read what you share.
On a slight side note, I am thinking more and more about writing the book I have dreamed to write for SO long! I figured now is as good of a time as ever considering I am not working yet. Do you by chance have any advice?
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I replied to your comment on Wendy’s comments! Oh man. My advice is to do an outline, any kind of rough outline and start writing. Don’t worry about spelling or sentence structure… just start writing. All the rest will come later.
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Thank you Kim! I have actually had an outline for a while now, but never acted on it. I guess there is no time like the present!
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What a shame! Hopefully your next doctor will be as special as this one obviously was to you… ❤
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Thank you! I am hoping the hunt will be short and fruitful!
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I hope so 🙏
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That’s so hard! Like I’ve said before, my doctor may be a bit of a dick, but he’s a really good doctor and the thought of him retiring fills me with dread. Best of luck finding a new doc!
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Thank you. I know I’ll find a new doc. I know it’ll take a few visits to find the right one… sucks pond water. Right now I’m refusing to pay a few hospital bills in protest… not the right approach!😂🤣😂
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Oh my gosh, I would be in such a panic. It’s not easy for anyone to have to find a new doctor, but when you have fibro and it’s lovely accomplices, it’s scary to find someone new. Do they believe fibro is real? Do they understand it? Are they empathetic and so many more variables. Wishing you the best of luck in finding a new physician! Big hugs to you!
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Thank you so much! I really am scared, I had her for 16 years. I know I’ll have to deal with a new doc, probably a few. But I will find another good one! At least an ok one… I’m so bummed.
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