ANOTHER GRIPE

Every once in a while I have to gripe about something.  And while this is not a current gripe, it is still something I think about from time to time and it relates directly to aging.

One of the things I really dislike about aging is as we get older it is not unusual to have to find new doctors.  In my case its because I’ve seen the same docs for so many years that they are either retiring or dying, or a boatload of other factors. 

The first time this ever happened to me had nothing to do with aging, in fact I guess you could chalk it up to being quite young.  Shortly after I moved from Florida to Ohio I found myself in need of birth control.  This was in the late 60’s early 70’s when birth control for unmarried women was definitely frowned on by a large portion of the population.  The first time I sought this service; the doc knew I wasn’t married and flat out refused.  He was quite rude and really embarrassed me.  I shared this experience with a dear friend and she referred me to her doc, who was an incredible guy and had no problem issuing the prescription.  He was older, so very much outside the main stream of medical care.  He retired within a few years and I was forced to find a new Gyn doc. 

Next was my dentist.  Dr. Black was an incredible guy and I dearly loved him.  I didn’t get much dental care in my youth and by the time I found Dr. Black I required a bunch of work, so much so that I needed to take out a loan to pay him.  Again, late 60’s early 70’s getting a bank loan on my own as an unmarried, young woman with not much work history, could be really tough.  But somehow, I managed, got the care I needed and stayed with Dr. Black for years.  Even when I lived in Alaska and Guam, I made trips back to Cincinnati during which I always booked dental appointments.  Later on, in that practice Dr. Black hired a young, new dentist who took over the practice when he retired, so that was an easy transition.  However, now having been at the same practice for over 60 years, Dr. Jackson is reaching retirement age and he may well retire before I no longer need his services….sure hope he handles the transition as Dr. Black did!!

Then there was my primary care doc, I had been with her over 20 years when one day I got a letter in the mail letting me know she was switching her practice to a ‘boutique’ practice, you know, that trend where docs require you to pay an annual fee to be a ‘member’ of that practice.  As much as I loved her, I said ‘Hell No!’  I wasn’t going to pay an additional $1600/year where she already announced that annual fee would rise each year for the next 3 years.  That in addition to paying for my J&J retiree medical benefit and Medicare, nope, wasn’t going to do that.  Time for a new doc.  I found one, but not sure yet that I’m happy.

There is also my cardio doc.  There was a time when we weren’t sure about the health of my heart.  After several tests my cardio doc decided there wasn’t actually anything physically wrong with my heart, but I was super sensitive to caffine….he recommended that I cut back on diet Cokes.  Yeah, I know, but I am definitely addicted.  I’ve been seeing him one time per year for a few years now.  Recently got a letter letting me know he has left the practice.  Not sure of the reason, but he is gone.  So now my primary care will look after my heart unless something substantial turns up, then I’ll find a new cardio.

From 1989-1992 I was practice manager for a medical group of female docs one of which was my boss and also my Gyn doc.  I was with her for several years after I left that practice and not to long ago she retired.  During my last visit we made the decision I no longer needed annual visits with a GYN doc, so, I haven’t replaced her.

Finally, there is/was my hematology doc.  I have a rare blood disorder where my platelets need to be monitored.  I originally started off with a fantastic hematologist who I dearly loved.  She was so cool.  Very ‘earth mother’ type, listened extremely well.  Then, like before, I got a letter saying she had left the practice.  In her case I learned that she had moved to North Carolina for family reasons.  

The practice is a very large practice with many docs.  The first one assigned to me to replace her, was a woman, who the minute she walked in the door, I went, hell no.  After the first visit I requested a new doc.   Next visit, met with the new doc and he was something special (not).  He didn’t understand why he was seeing me, said I wasn’t sick, blah, blah, blah.  Yes, my condition is mild compared to how it could be, (there are people who die from it) but I learned early on that I do have a genetic marker for it, so I definitely have the problem.  

What was weird was, I hung in there, and the next time I saw him, he was a completely different dude, had me laughing, took time with me, answered my questions, etc.  Next time I saw him, he was back to the first time I saw him. Fourth time I saw him we got to talking about diet Coke and he cracked that he loves diet Coke and wants to be embalmed with it.  The last time I saw him, just a few weeks ago, he left me in the exam room for over an hour, did not check in with me, and at the 1 hour, 20-minute mark, I got up, went out to the front desk, asked for the practice manager’s business card and raised a great big fuss.  At this time I don’t plan to go back.  That was the second time he pulled that stunt for what should be a 20-minute visit.  My primary care can do the lab work and if my platelets get out of control, I’ll find a new hematologist.

I’m guessing everyone has this problem, especially as we get older.  But having been raised by a nurse, and having very conventional views toward science and medical care, I just wish docs lived longer and would always be around when I need them. 

That makes sense…..right???!!!