Wednesday, 26 August 2009

Business as usual

Existing diagnosis is intact. I will admit to a flash of disappointment about this. Although the new idea seemed a tad unlikely due to the rarity of the condition, it was a reasonable hypothesis. And all in all, despite the general unpleasantness of the process, I’m grateful when anyone puts their mind to looking at things afresh – treating the patient, not the diagnostic label.

I still have a bit more testing to organise, but it’s in the realm of making absolutely positively sure there’s not something else, rather than a potential new lead.

It’s amazing what a difference a husband makes – he came with me to the most recent appointment and Mr Hostile Doctor had a personality transplant on the spot. In fact, afterwards my husband described the doctor’s demeanour as sobered and confused. I started to feel compassion for him, the poor man has a list of very strange test results to try to make sense of.

Welcome to my world, Mr Doctor. It’s a parallel universe, the weird medical version of Alice in Wonderland.

Next post: happy news, and nary a mention of health matters.
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9 comments:

  1. I sometimes go to doctor appointments with someone who has ME. He tells me that doctors are much less rude to him when I'm there.

    What's up with that? Does the presence of a healthy person lend credibility to the sick person? Do the doctors not want witnesses to their rudeness? What?
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  3. Am so glad Dr Hostile had a change of tune, but I wish he had treated you with courtesy in the first place. Thinking of you, honey, glad you don't have the horrid rare thing, but then, as you say, at least it was treatable. x
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  4. I was pleased to here that your husband accompanied you and gave you the great support. Good on ya, Mr Greenwords!

    I would be disappointed, too. Having a different diagnosis could give you effective treatment and/or shortcut to recovery.

    Let's hope that there will be something to make us better one day.
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  5. I've been known to hope for a different diagnosis, still do, something treatable would be nice. :)

    On doctor's behavior, I've had one that was an utter prick even with my wife there - it seems the extra person only gives some of them manners.
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  6. Can't remember if I've commented on your blog before (brain fog...), but I just wanted to know that I enjoy reading your posts. It's sadly amazing how thick-skulled health care professionals can be.
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  7. Hi all, thanks for your comments. It's an interesting dynamic, isn't it? I've had various experiences: some medicos become defensive if someone comes in with you, I guess possibly they feel scrutinised; but then others enjoy interacting with the people who help you on a daily basis, discussing things as a team in a holistic way. And then some can't behave themselves unless you DO bring someone with you. I try to assess the best approach on a case-by-case basis, though I do need someone with me when the brainfog is dense because I won't remember enough of the consultation afterwards, especially if there are lots of results to discuss. My one rule is to never take a parent in with me when seeing a new practitioner for the first time, I feel it sends the wrong message. None of this applies to my usual doctors who know my family well, and the atmosphere during appointments is jovial. I guess I'm so used to my doctors who know my case in detail, with whom I share a good rapport, that it took me by surprise to be greeted with unconcealed scepticism and open hostility. I got that constantly in the early years, but have had the pleasure of smooth sailing in recent times. Just makes me more grateful though for the many kind doctors that are out there - and they are out there.

    cinderkeys - It's good of you to attend appointments with your friend, and I'm glad your presence has such a positive effect.

    Jennie - :)

    nmj - It was a relief when he was civil, I was nervous in the waiting-room beforehand.

    Rachel - Yes, let's hope!

    Ash - Oh I know, something treatable would be fabulous. Your experience sounds dreadful, I don't know what gets into some people. Medicine is a challenging profession indeed, but being rude doesn't help anybody.

    Alyson - Thanks for coming by and for your kind words, lovely to see you here.

    Amy - If you see this comment, is it cheeky of me to ask to be one of your blog readers? I meant to leave a comment when you first set it up, but forgot. (No pressure though, I understand if it's closed for a reason.)
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  8. Hi Greenwords, I'm flattered that you'd like to read my blog - thanks! The only reason it's private at the moment is that I haven't finished setting it up due to ill health (snore). But when it's up and running it'll be open to everybody and I'd be delighted to have you as a reader.
    I'm sorry you've been going through it with all this medical stuff. Severe ME is a labyrinth! I just hope this doctor has been made to think a little and maybe had his eyes opened.
    Best wishes to you, and very good news about the house!
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  9. Hi again Amy, I totally understand how hard it is setting up a blog when you're unwell. Mine's never quite how I want it, but if you need a hand with anything, do give me a shout. x
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