a doctor's visit

i know a few doctors. i'm not trying to be funny. what i mean is that i have a few friends that are doctors. and since my diagnosis i often wonder what it's like for them as i sit in the room awaiting life changing news or for a check up. i have to say that i think i have some pretty great doctors. i don't doubt any of their knowledge or skill when it comes to caring for me. what i do have to say is that some are just more socially...uh, i can't think of the right word. let's say that some are just more socially appropriate, maybe? or just more social or personable. i can't imagine what it's like for a doctor when they have to tell a young woman that she has cancer. not once but twice. my cancer doctor has a great reputation. we heard recently that he may be one of the best in charlotte and even the state. wow. i don't doubt that. i just have had some interesting conversations with him in the past year. and i just had to share this most recent one.

Door opens

Dr.: “So, are you ready to get this taken care of?”

Me: “yes”

Dr..: “ you know, in all my years of doing this no one has ever said ‘no.’”

Crickets

Doctor proceeds to roll down right shirt sleeve

Dr.: “well it’s a good thing I’m wearing long sleeves….”

Patient sits waiting and wondering where he is going with this

Dr. continues: “…because I might have some things up my sleeve.”

Crickets

Doctor then begins to talk about some legit things coming “down the pipeline” that may be helpful in treatment.

Doctor begins examination. Do not talk to him with his sthesascope in b/c apparently they are noise cancelling.

Note: this doctor rarely leaves time for questions, much less asks if there is anything else. Yet he talked of being “paranoid” which is why he’d like to see me 10 days post chemo.

Doctor wraps up to leave

Patient: “oh wait, I wanted to let you know that I’m going to go see a doctor at Duke named Kimberly Blackwell. I called Helen and told her Monday.”

Patient was ready to give her many reasons why this is necessary but was surprised that she didn’t need to.

Dr. L: “yeah, I know her. I haven’t seen her in a while. Maybe 3 weeks. But I know her. She’s tall. She’s probably about my height.”

Doctor exits

Conversation between patient and husband goes something like this:
“seriously?! He has nothing to say about her specialty or work or anything. What he chooses to leave us with is, ‘she’s tall.’” “of course he had to say he knew her twice.”

so, there you go. it's as if you went with me. i still laugh at this exchange b/c i can't believe all he told me about this particular doctor (who is a specialist in MY type of breast cancer and works primarily with young women) is that she is tall. my appointment with her is the 29th and i'll be sure to report on her height.