Why Hello Doctor
This morning, instead of blogging, I went to the doctor. My old doctor is near work (and my old apartment) and isn’t very convenient for when I’m actually sick. Conversely there is a doctor that is 2 doors down from me that I thought I’d try.
In this picture, I’m standing at my door. That man in the blue jacket? He is walking right past the doctor’s office.
Dr. H is an OLD SCHOOL doctor. I went in and sat at his desk and HE asked me about my medical history and my family’s medical history. We talked for a good 15 minutes before he led me into his exam room which was right out of 1970 or so. Everything was is perfect working order and extremely clean but OLD. He did a full scale, banging on my knees, examination. He’s sending me to a GI doctor for all the stomach issues I’ve been having. He mentioned IBS as well. He also gently told me to go on a diet and to walk during my lunch time. It was kind of sweet and kind of not. I talked to him about my eating and exercise habits and he thinks that the GI doctor will be able to help. We shall see. Part of me REALLY liked this homey experience and the other part of me wonders if he’s up to date? I don’t know. As of right now, I think I’ll use him as my PCP and see how it goes.
Before the doctor, I woke up at 5:30 to go to spin. I had half a Larabar before and half after.
Disappointingly the normal teacher wasn’t there and it was the teacher who can’t shut up. I tried to not let it affect me but it totally did. Oh well. I think I may start bringing my running shoes just in case this happens. I can duck out of spin and get on the treadmill.
After the doctor, I got a “tall” soy vanilla roobios tea latte. Different Starbucks, same phenomena-they filled my 16 oz cup to the brim.
When I got to work I was really hungry. I had been up for 4.5 hours at that point and had had about 300 calories-it made sense that I was hungry. I decided to eat one of my pieces of pizza. I had 5 pieces left last night so one package got 3 and one got 2. I grabbed the 3-er today and it worked out perfectly.
While in the kitchen at work, I saw this gem on the espresso machine:
This follows numerous emails that have been sent out over the last week. I work with such engineers.
For lunch?
Not as pretty the next day.
Question: What do you like about your doctor?
Category: Uncategorized 12 comments »
i actually haven’t gone to a doctor since we moved to colorado…but i’m looking for a good one! we need physicals just to check ourselves overall.
Random lawyer comment (from stuff PB tells me): Did you know that small town doctors are not expected to have the same standard of care as big city doctors? So they are not expected to know as much or be as up to date. Interesting no?
I don’t have a doctor here yet. I found a general doctor and an ob/gyn, but neither have room in their schedules yet. I LOVED my ob/gyn in Rhode Island. I could call at any time with any question and the doctor herself (or her one assistant) would call me back immediately. The same assistant always checked me in and asked me the routine questions, and the doctor never rushed me out when I had an appointment. This is especially important to me since my mom died of breast cancer and I always have lots of questions. I am slightly over cautious in that department.
What I hate about the doctor situation in Philly? The fact that they are SO BOOKED all the time. Any decent doctor can’t get me in for months. I called back in November and my first appointments will be in February or March- not sure yet since they have yet to call me for my appointments.
I had an ol’ school Doc in Canada, but I also had a killer naturopath. It was covered too$$. I didn’t mind the ‘ol school Doc for things like prescriptions etc. Also, because I was a nurse for a few years I felt like I could just tell the doctor what I wanted. Did not need him for up to date info.
Here I just have the OB/GYN for now.
Also here in the U.S, at our gym (through my hubbies work) we have access to a doctor for free physicals and blood draws. That is sweet!
I had a similar experience the first time I met with my OB/Gyn. That was before I was married but he took me into his office to talk about medical history and whether I planned to have children. Once Kevin and I conceived and Kevin went to my first OB appt with me, he took us into his office and sat down with both of us, I thought it was nice that he took the time to talk to my husband and talk through the early stages of pregnancy with us (even though Kevin had been through all that before). Needless to say, Kevin is very fond of him (and he hates most doctors!). My PCP is ok, nothing like my OB/Gyn though.
oh and btw I think you will find that most PCPs are not that up-to-snuff on nutrition and the like so it is probably a good thing he is referring you to a GI specialist!
Such thoughtful comments 🙂
Cyn-my OB did that too. I LOVE my OB and wish he could just be my PCP but he said “no”. I asked!
That pizza looks so good!
What about a naturopath, Chelsea? We see one for the whole family–a ped naturo for Kaitlyn regular one for us. For Kaitlyn’s well baby visits, we sit down with the doctor for at least an hour and go over everything. If J and I go in, we go over history, eating habits, exercise…the full gamut. Might be a nice alternative, especially with your stomach issues. My naturopath is what finally cured my IBS and I feel like I had it pretty bad.
I have tried the “tall” trick at the starbucks I go to most often on my way to work and they still charge me for the Grande…..your starbucks rocks!
My favorite thing about my doctor is that I don’t have one. 😉
Seriously, the only PCP in my area, who has been my entire extended family’s doctor for years and years, has cancer and is very sick. Nurse practioners are running his office, but the idea of that just makes me a little nervous. And I NEVER NEVER get sick, sooooo I just don’t go to the doctor. I’m sure this is a terrible thing, but it breaks my heart to dedicate myself to someone new.
i went to an old-school doctor once because i was getting severe edema in my knees whenever i worked more than 40 hours (standing, walking, etc) in a week.
he told me that at 150 pounds on a 5’7″ frame, i had gained too much weight since high school and should concentrate on portion reduction.
he then charged me $67.
so i stopped going to him. i got a desk job and my knees are much better 🙂
(not that this will be your experience, but i had to share!)
I like that she’s an osteopathic doctor, asks me questions about myself and tries to find alternative meds instead of prescribing antibiotics first. As per the starbucks cup fill, I had the same problem. I ended up searching (it took a few months) for a 12 oz travel mug, which starbucks ended up providing in the end. Love your blog!