Pushing

Since last fall I have had more medical tests than I can count. Countless blood draws, x-rays, ultrasound, urine tests, fecal tests and scopes to name a few. The lab staff at my primary care doctor's office know me by sight. One caring woman even remembers which arm has a better vein and remembers that I am a vet tech. I have visited urgent care and emergency rooms. I have spent hours waiting for a ultrasound till almost 10pm. Then got up and went to work at 8am the next day. I have seen my share of doctors so far and am sure I will continue to meet more through this journey. Every doctor is different and challenging in their own way.

I started off with a primary care doctor when I first became ill. While he was caring and took my symptoms seriously he was very quick to try to just give me a prescription. I am not sure of the motivation behind this or if it is just how he practices medicine. He did acknowledge that I am in the (animal) medical field and respected my opinion. I had to push him a lot at first to do more testing. I can't count the number of pregnancy tests he gave me but I should because it will probably make me laugh.

After he referred me to my gastrointestinal doctor I finally began to get answers. Before I was diagnosed with gastroparesis he suspected I had it. During my next round of testing he made it seem like if I had it then medication would fix it. As I began medication and he talked to me more about gastroparesis I quickly learned that medication does not always help. He is still testing me and pushing for answers to why I have gastroparesis. I am extremely grateful for this. Other times he is frustrating with how long it takes to get back with test results and answers to questions.

Since I have been sick I have visited urgent care and the ER a few times which has been a frustrating, maddening experience. One doctor told me he was sorry to keep me waiting he had spent 15 minutes reading through my chart. Then he asked me what was wrong with me and why I was there. He then asked what I was at urgent care for since I was seeing a specialist. My GI doctor was concerned about some symptoms I was having and I had to tell the urgent care doctor what my GI doctor recommended. He seemed relieved that I just needed a few blood tests and a blood pressure. He even said he had never met anyone with gastroparesis and would be lost in how to treat me.
Another doctor asked me what he was supposed to do with me since I was seeing a GI doctor. At this visit on Mother's Day I was dehydrated to the point I was not urinating and had a horrible headache. When I told him I thought I was dehydrated he repeated he didn't know what to do with me since he couldn't treat the gastroparesis. I had to explain my GI doctor recommended if I became dehydrated that I needed to go in and get fluids & supportive care. I almost had to start arguing with him about it because he acted like I was wasting his time.

I do not know where I would be if I did not have a medical background. If I did not push and argue with some of the doctors to take my symptoms seriously. If I did not be a advocate for my own health. It sounds cheesy but as a patient you have to be. I have learned to be that annoying client who calls & continues to come in till I get what I wanted. And all I want is to be healthy again.

At work I joke that if I was a dog I would get better health care but the sad truth is that sometimes it is true. My turn around time on tests would have been cut in half. It would not have taken 6 months to diagnose me. I know that 6 months is not that long compared to the years other people have spent pushing for answers.

So in 2 days I am going in for another test. Waiting weeks to get in to have the tests is maddening. The anxiety I feel for what the doctor will find is tiring. But I still have to push. If I did not have a loving husband and two adorable kids I do not know if at times I would have the strength or energy to push this much. But I want to be healthy again for them.