Are YOU worth it?

As many of you know, I am a big fan of social media. On twitter the conversations in the RA world often center around the poor doctor care many have received during the course of their illness. There are some days when, if I only based my opinions by what I read on twitter, I would think there are honestly no good doctors out there! I, of course, know this is not the case.  I am fortunate to have an excellent Rheumatologist, but I also come from a large family of doctors of numerous specialties. I see, personally, how the doctors in my family go off in to a room during a family function to make a call about a patient they are concerned about. I experience personally, the complete and thorough care I get from my rheumatologist. Am I worth it, YES!

Finding a good doctor can be frustrating, but I feel it is the best gift a person can give oneself, especially those of us dealing with a chronic illness. Most of my care is done through the University of Miami healthcare system. The trip to Miami from my house is 172 miles round trip. Factor in the traffic, and it can be a healthy 2 hour trip (one way). Fortunately, there are several other closer options, one of which is the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center which is 92 miles round trip. This week, I have made the trip to Deerfield two times. During the next couple of weeks, I will be making the trip two to three times a week. Am I worth it? YES!

At the Pharmacy this past week, I met a man, who had undergone hip replacement with a lot of complications. He was wanting to see a new doctor, but just didn't want to drive more then 20 miles to do so. His complications had, so far, taken a year from his life, with 2 more surgeries in his future, all because he did not want to drive more then 20 miles! Is he worth the mileage to find a new doctor? YES! He will never recover that year of his life!

Finding a doctor that you "click" with can take work, serious work, networking, and time. Are YOU worth it? YES! But, you have to commit yourself to doing the work and finding the doctor that works with you and treats you as a team player. I truly believe the best way to find a doctor is by asking patients, asking other doctors, and doing a lot of research. That first visit to the "new" doctor is a job interview for that doctor to take on your care. If you don't "click", time for more research to find another doctor. All of the responsibility to finding that doctor, that will work with you, falls on your shoulders as the patient, it is a heavy burden. Are you worth it? YES! Are you worth the effort? YES! Is it exhausting? You betcha! The patient must take the responsibility of finding the doctor that works for them. We can not expect the "perfect" doctor to call us up and ask to be our doctor!

I see a lot of energy put in to complaining about doctors and how they do not listen, or they give "misinformation". While it is good to vent, and get the negative feelings out, why not spend some of that energy in finding another doctor? Start posting what you are looking for in a doctor, this will not only help you to narrow down and refine your search, but may also help others in determining what they are looking for in a doctor.  I actually posted a tweet a few weeks ago, something to the effect of... "I love my Rheum Dr because _____ and _____. There was not a single reply to that tweet, nor a single re-tweet. Let's help each other in learning to advocate by posting what we "want" in a doctor, instead of negative comments that are re-tweeted over and over again. Are YOU worth it? YES!

Pale Meadow Beauty photo by Kimberly S Byrne

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  Ephesians 1:3

Blessings ~ Kim