Can you encourage your doctor?

By Erika Rizkallah

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. Isaiah 52:7

Yesterday, I was able to bring good news to my doctor. Our conversation went something like this:

Him:   Well, hello.

Me:    Hello. How are you?

Him:   I'm doing ok, pretty good I guess.

Me:     Me too.

Him:   What? (huge smile) Really?!

Watching his reaction was fun and far different from the last time I saw him. At my last appointment, he was discouraged by difficult patients and vented a bit. He told me that earlier in the day, he almost quit. Pain management is a tough business and patients can often be depressed and angry. Quite often, anger and blame is directed toward him.

I don't know what I'd do if he quit; he's a fantastic doctor doing a wonderful job helping me manage my pain.

Yesterday was filled with good news for him. It felt awesome for me too - to be able to say, "I feel good."

Of course I still have pain, but when I review the last four weeks I'm more encouraged than discouraged. I spent time in my garden and took great care of my children. I prepared for Hurricane Arthur, maintained my home (with help) and managed to host several families who were vacationing at my house. One night, I even stayed out late at our local carnival and watched the fireworks. It was so different from last July, thank God!

I'd like to pray for us: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating science and medicine. Thank you for placing the call of healing on our doctors. We lift them up to you lord: the surgeons, physicians, P.A.s, nurses and technicians that work together with you for our good. Bless and encourage them as they care for us and deal with the stress of their profession. Amen.

As you go to your appointments this month, is there a doctor, nurse or health care professional you can encourage?
                                                                               I'll be praying for you! ~ Erika

Dumping Your Doctor or Vice Versa

Last Friday my mail carrier delivered a certified mail envelope to my door. Surprised, I opened it, wondering what could possibly be so important...

It was a letter from my doctor terminating our doctor-patient relationship.

                          Huh?!

I was stunned. I didn't even know we were engaged! I mean, I didn't know we were exclusive or that we were even in a "relationship". My other man (aka my husband) was furious; he wanted to punch my doctor for dumping me.

                                                                So sweet.

But I held him back because: I don't want a doctor like this anyway.

I guess I should fill you in and explain the source of the conflict, because it was my fault:

I had the audacity to seek a second opinion. Yes, that's right. I shamelessly called another doctor's office (one I'd used before) on the advice of a friend. I didn't think anything of it; after all, isn't that what we Americans have been counseled to do for years?  Get a second opinion?

Apparently, this is now a no-no. Since the letter emphatically said they never wanted to see me again except in the event of an emergency (only within the next 30 days), I saw the new guy. He's a pain specialist.
                                                                  And guess what?

I like him better. He thought my old boyfriend doctor wasn't aggressive enough, and changed most of my meds. He also offered to play nicely with my neurologist once I see him. And if that appointment hasn't been cancelled, at least I've got someone who'll be faithful, because I signed a contract this time and I know where I stand.

                                         This is a patient-doctor relationship now.

The point of my story is for you. You are the patient. You are the one seeking care and paying the doctor; the control is in your hands. If you don't like the way you're treated, keep searching and don't give up until you find someone who'll treat you like you deserve.

God is in control and he loves you.