Enjoy a Threesome
My sister Karla has suffered with a knee problem for over a
year. She’s had surgery. Been on crutches. Walked with a cane. More surgery—the
doctor scraped the bone. No relief from swelling or pain.
She’s seen a family practice doctor, a surgeon, an orthopedic
surgeon, an infectious disease doctor. She’s spent time in the hospital with
IV’s and at home with home health and more IV’s. I can’t remember how many
doctors have tried to drain the fluid from her knee. Several put the icky fluid
in a Petri dish to grow—trying to find the cause of the problem.
Nothing grows.
When Karla’s knee swelled to horrific proportions, the
orthopedic doctor said, “Probably more surgery, but I’m sending you to a
rheumatologist first.”
My sister Karen and Lil, Karla’s friend, accompanied Karla to the new doctor appointment. All three ladies fell in love with the
doctor.
“He’s just wonderful. He said he has absolutely no idea what
my problem is, but he didn’t recommend surgery again.” No wonder Karla liked
him.
Lil and Karen are still Karla’s advocates. Between the two
they remember everything Karla complains about between appointments and then
share the details with the doctor.
At the last appointment the doctor asked Karla why she
didn’t call him when she had a problem. She shrugged. The doctor turned to Lil
and Karen. “Here’s my card. If she says anything about the pain, swelling or
whatever….call me. We are going to figure this out—together.”
My two-cents: Never be ashamed to ask someone to attend a
doctor visit with you.
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