Vince and I had switched to a new doctor last week. What we did last week was have an in person visit with him just to talk about some of the questions we had about how he handles things – basically his style of treatment; what we expect, etc.
When we were in Texas, we would drive two hours to Abilene . . even for Rita’s vet visits, so we were hopeful that when we got here, medical care would be more what we liked but we’ve been disappointed. Most doctors are affiliated with the hospitals. We felt rushed in and rushed out. I think I’ve already mentioned the colonoscopy that the hospital has called me FOUR times to schedule and each time, I’ve told them I can’t do it til 2023. Every time I go to the doctor, even when I went for my covid test, the first thing they say is “You’re past due for a colonoscopy. Can we schedule that?” NO!!!
I think I mentioned last week that we found a doctor who thinks more like we think. We were happy with our visit with him last week so we switched to him and today was our “initial visit”. We both went. We both went in together. He talked to me first because he said I was the “easy one”. Vince has heart issues, digestive issues, attitude issues and I really don’t have any issues . . unless you ask Vince! 🙂
I was apprehensive about Vince and I being in there together but it ended up being great because what one of us didn’t remember, the other one did.
We talked to the doctor for 2-1/2 hours. We did our bloodwork last week so he had all that to review with us. We left feeling really good about the doctor, the way he treats and interacts with patients. We love his assistant! She’s so friendly. We have the doctor and the assistant’s cell phone numbers, can text them any time and get almost instant responses (not that we do but we could).
He talked to us about our diet, about trying to do better than the “Standard American Diet”. It was funny because when we were first just chit chatting, we were talking about eating out and how we don’t do it very often. I asked him where his favorite place to eat in Joplin is and his answer was “At our home!” That makes me so happy to hear other people say they’d rather eat at home than anywhere else.
The worst news he had for me is that he thinks everyone should have regular (normal) bed times – go to bed at 10 or 11 and get 8 or 9 hours sleep. Hmmm . . that may be impossible but I’ll try. My parents said even when I was a baby I didn’t sleep. I don’t ever remember a time when I’ve gone to bed at a decent hour.
Vince didn’t help by telling him I drink 6 Dr. Peppers per day . . which I don’t. I mostly drink two cans and every now and then I’ll have a third one but I think it’s been months since I had three in one day.
I do have to start taking an Rx Vitamin D, which has happened before. For three weeks I have to check my blood sugar two hours after lunch, at 3 a.m. (so much for getting a good night’s sleep) and before eating anything in the morning. Honestly, if I’m in bed by 10 p.m., I’ll probably be up for good at 3 a.m. The minute cross stitching thoughts enter my head . . sleeping is done for the night.
Anyway, we’re very pleased with the new doctor.
Elle says
I worked with a Nursing Supervisor in the 80s who slept 90 minutes a day. She did sleep study after sleep study but they would kick her out for skewing data. They all found that this was all the sleep she truly required. Some people just really don’t need it!
Rebecca says
Two and a half hours! *gasp* I’m always aware of how little time doctors in a big practice have per patient, but at least we have easy access to specialists (grasping at straws here).
Couldn’t you use an in-home test (like Cologuard) to see if a colonoscopy is indicated?
I wish I didn’t need as much sleep as I do, but I just do better with at least 8 hours. I should get off the computer and wind down right now! Goodnight!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I wouldn’t use Cologuard after having already had polyps. Insurance pays for the colonoscopy every 5 years and I prefer to have that done the old fashioned way . . just when it’s time and not be reminded that it’s “due” every time I go to the clinic – especially when it isn’t due for several years.
Rebecca says
I didn’t remembeer polyps. Yes, that would be annoying! I didn’t care for when my practice started reminding me of mammograms months before I was eligible (for coverage), and they don’t have a problem with scheduling.
Carolyn Sullivan says
doing this at the end of the month. My GP who was a Nurse Practitioner left the practice I like where it is located so I’m going to stay someone else in that practice. But I want to know how they function. What kind of questions do you ask when you go in for a meet and greet Dr visit?
judy.blog@gmail.com says
For us we wanted to know which doctors/hospitals he used when referring to specialists; we wanted to know how he would handle/treat certain situations/illnesses. We wanted to ask enough questions to feel confident that the latest Rx wasn’t what he was pushing. We wanted conservative medicine, not the newest drugs and diagnosis for every illness/condition that’s seen on tv.
Mainly we were looking for a doctor not tied to Medicare and their rules but we already knew before going in that he was not part of Medicare so we didn’t even have to ask about that.
montanaclarks says
I have a new internist and really, really like him. I’ve seen him twice and the first time he spent an entire hour with me, the second time a good 45 minutes. I couldn’t believe it. Now, finding an orthopedic surgeon in AZ to inject my knee has been a whole other ball of wax!! GRRRR!!
Diana G says
Its nice to have a Doctor that listens to you . When we found this current Doctor; I was the first one to meet him and he so reminded me of our doc from many years ago and we were with him for 25 years. Just tell us the truth in layman’s language. I told my hubs you will like him and he does … Doc is a young spitfire and tells it like it is, which is what we like. After years of fighting with Doctors who told me I am prediabetic and put me on all these pills (which the side effects were horrible on me). He finally said at my last yearly checkup he doesn’t want to see me for another year!! ALL my numbers are great. Sounds good Doc .. Cya in a Year.
His assistant is very special as well. Except when she pricks me for diabetes! LOL
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I never realized the importance of having a good doctor that you can talk to and that you trust til we got older and the potential for greater problems existed. Glad you two have found a good one!
danielle says
Since I retired. I am getting less sleep than when I worked night shift! But then the newest study just came out saying for people our age 6.5 – 7 hours of sleep is adequate – and on a good night I get that! But getting up at 3 AM to do a BS check – nope. That would not be done. I would do it in the AM before I ate anything and nothing in between. Why do you have to wait till 2023 to get your colonoscopy? They are now recommending them to start in the 40’s (45 I believe) – oh wait, is it an insurance thing?
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I’ve had plenty of colonoscopies. I get them every 5 years and since I had one in 2018, I don’t have another one til 2023.
The 3 a.m. blood check only has to happen three times so I have two of them done. It’s something about the way some hormone is released in the middle of the night and how my insulin is reacting to it. For three times during the course of a week or so, I do one fasting – when I get up before I eat; one two hours after my main meal and one between 2 and 3 a.m.