Those of us who have reached retirement age are aware that many of the doctors that we've had for the last 30 + years are also at retirement age. So far my Oncologist and my Breast Specialist from my BC days have both retired. Our PCP and my OB/GYN are certainly at retirement age... but will hopefully stay around for a few more years.
I know that new young doctors are well versed in the latest treatments, etc. but it's nice to have doctors that have known you for years. And although my PCP is a man (as is my Cardiologist), most of my doctors are women. And I won't make this a generality, but speaking from my own experience, women 'listen'.
I did/do have a man doctor (Spinal Specialist) that I've only been to see once several years ago that did 'listen well'. In fact he met me in the exam room and greeted me with words something like, "I want you to tell me in your own words what is going on and what you think the problem is..." And then he sat there and listened. I really liked him.
Do you like your doctors? Is there one that you especially trust? Is there one that always calls you back or checks up on you?
***********************************************
DH made stuffed peppers yesterday. They were really good. He stuffs red and green bell peppers with ground meat, Italian sausage, rice, toasted pecans, and seasonings.
And lastly, I planted my trug for the Spring. There's Kale, Romaine lettuce, and Collard Greens. Last year it got so hot so fast here in Texas that not very much grew. I did get a few tomatoes and green peppers, but very little. Hoping to do better this year.
 |
| March 2024 plantings |
My goodness, stuffed peppers are my favorite and those looked awesome! 😋 I like that pic of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, that's positively serene. Rian, I can sure understand your frustration with retiring doctors. Since I go to a clinic full of new doctors I don't have that problem; but my dentist of 27 years retired the year after I did, haha. But I very much miss him still and it's been 8 years. Why can't we all just live forever?
ReplyDeleteDH's stuffed peppers are really good. He only makes them when the bell peppers in the grocery look too beautiful to pass up. As for doctors retiring, dying, or moving away... we had our long time Eye doctor (our age) recently have a heart attack. He survived and retired, but luckily for us his son-in-law took over his practice (and us).
DeleteBTW, Dug, I did leave a comment on your 'guilty' post... but not sure it showed up?
DeleteYou are so right about the best doctors having the listening gene! My OB/GYN is male but he is the best doctor I have ever had and the reason he became a doctor is because of the way his mom was treated when he was a child. She was an immigrant and he often had to go to her appointments to help translate for her. He said she was treated badly by many doctors who were very dismissive of her because of the language barrier. He decided he would become a doctor and always treat his patients with respect and kindness. He is a fantastic listener and a wonderful doctor.
ReplyDeleteBobi, I'm so glad your doctor is a good listener. It really does help.
DeleteWhat an uplifting post! So glad to hear your little kitty is doing so well. I have not been able to keep a doctor longer than a year or two, since they leave the profession or move away. I do like my current doctor, though. I've only had her for a less than a year but she seems quite good.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like your doctor, DJan. It's always been one of the things that keep us here... not losing the doctors we've had for so long.
DeleteOh yes Doctors retiring! It's hard when you have been with one and feel you know them and suddenly they aren't around to deal with you anymore. A number of years ago our GP retired. Not only was he a really nice guy but he saw all of our family from the time my son was 6 or 8 up to adult. So he knew how the family dynamics worked and also had knowledge of our health over numerous years. After 20 or 25 years he retired and we found another GP (somewhere in his 40's) who we liked and after 2 years he died suddenly. So we now have another GP who we are beginning to feel we know but it is just a hard transition. You as the patient need to feel you know them and vice versa. This latest one spends lots of time typing into his computer and so there isn't a lot of eye contact and it's hard to feel that he is really getting all of the little nuances of what is being said and sometimes not being said. It's just hard. There's listening and then there is LISTENING .
ReplyDeleteYes, it's important to me to like and trust them. And that typing on the computer is something they (or an Assistant) are required to do these days. But hopefully, he is still listening while he types.
DeleteMany of my doctors are retired or just plain quit, and I'm looking for replacements.
ReplyDeleteYou, Joanne, with all your falls, etc. need to have good doctors looking after you.
DeleteThe deli at our grocery store had stuffed peppers in the case yesterday. I checked the price - $9.99 EACH. Can you imagine? And you still have to cook them. (I was thinking that would be a reasonable price for 2 on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans, with a dinner roll - cooked and served to me at a diner.
ReplyDeleteMy friend and I were just talking about retiring doctors. She had to find a new PCP and finally got on the "rolls" of one and had her records forwarded. She has had a healthy 2 years and just visited the nurse practitioner for some minor things and prescription renewals. Now she needs a referral to a specialist. And her insurance said she has to get it from her PCP. She called and since she has never seen him, she had to make an appointment as a first time patient and the earliest opening is in JULY. She is on a waiting list for a cancellation.
Yes, I can imagine, Miss Merry. At our store, they were charging $8.99 EACH for crabcakes. I love their Creole Crabcakes, but not for that price... and as you said, you still had to cook them. They do go on sale for 6.99 occasionally and I do sometimes submit to that.
DeleteI'm sorry for your friend having to find a new PCP. Luckily our PCP has another doctor, a doctor's assistant, and a nurse practitioner working with him. If he does retire, hopefully they will simply take over his patients.
Your point about doctors retiring is what happened to me this week; I got a letter saying my GP of 25 years is retiring and they set me up to have a new doctor. I don't need to do anything, it is automatic. I will test him out and see if he will do, I hope so. So that is a good aspect of my health insurance here in the USA.
ReplyDeleteYes, Terra, I think most of the time this is what happens. It happened to me once, but I didn't care for the doctor they set me up with... but was able to go with another in the practice.
DeleteThe stuffed peppers and mini muffins both look delicious. I've had my current GP about 10 years. He's pretty good, probably in his late 40's so may outlast me (she says hopefully).
ReplyDeleteIf he's in his late 40's, you shouldn't have a problem... unless he moves away.
DeleteI've had so many doctors retire during my time here in Hawaii and I hated to see them go. When we got our new doctor whose name is Dr. Payne, I had to chuckle at his name. I told him at the onset that I hope he wasn't planning to retire soon too. He 'sort of' promised that he wouldn't and I really like him.
ReplyDeleteI love your two pictures with very wise words of wisdom too.
I hope you get to keep your Dr. Payne (and yes, I would have chuckled at his name too).
Deletethat second meme is one i always remember when i am engaged in conversation, it's so important. my neurologist just retired, that's a big loss for me. there are 2 new neurologists taking over, both female, so i am optimistic!!
ReplyDeleteI do try to remember that also, Debbie. And good luck with your new neurologist!
Delete