Here We Go Again

Since I moved to Kansas City 5 years ago I have seen 3 different endocrinologists. Tomorrow I will see my 4th. None of this has been of my own doing.

I started out rotating between Dr. R and a nurse practitioner T. Names changed because I don’t call people out on the internet. I would go every three months and see one of them. Ultimately seeing each of them once every 6 months. I liked them both especially T. After every visit and portal message she would say something positive and encouraging and thank ME for allowing her to participate in my care. She once called me after 6PM on on a Friday to make sure I treated a low before I drove home after seeing my BG was low on lab work I’d had done after my appointment. Needless to say, I am a T fan.

Dr. R is older and has been doing this for years. He always called me a boring patient. Which I took as complement. I adored his RN who checked me in. I still miss her to this day. She was the absolute BEST! Dr. R always reminded me of a disheveled professor with his crazy hair and funny socks. I loved the rotation of seeing both of them. Unfortunately T left in 2019.

I continued seeing Dr. R until I could set up with another NP/PA. Dr. R still found me boring and didn’t think I needed to be seen every three months. Also he doesn’t have clinic on my day off. Enter M who is a PA and was my 3rd endocrinologist.

At first I was nervous to see her because after some snooping I realized we are the same age. Yes. I have reached the age where providers are the same age as me. That’s a whole other dilemma. M ended up being super sweet and I liked her. She also was the first endocrinologist to look at my entire endocrine history. Once I was diagnosed with diabetes none of my endocrinologists payed attention to my tuner syndrome. If hadn’t brought it up M would have missed it in my medical history. After getting her up to speed she made sure I had all the monitoring I needed for Turners and took care of my diabetes. She recommended I be seen in the multidisciplinary Turner Syndrome Clinic and be seen by yet another endocrinologist, Dr. E, who did the endocrine part of the clinic. I am so thankful for her attention to detail and getting me to all the right providers. I will miss seeing her.

I was hoping to see Dr. E in July during Turner Syndrome clinic, but I wasn’t able to. I had an appointment scheduled with her for November, but had to reschedule it to February. Doctor’s are busy. Don’t put off scheduling to see them. My appointment with her is tomorrow. I have heard to great things about her, but I am still nervous. Seeing a new provider is always a little nerve wracking. I have retell my story and worry about what kind of comments they will make about my weight. I’m well aware of my potato shape and I am trying to work on it. Also that is not why I’m usually seeing a provider. I’m hoping this appointment goes well and Dr. E will be the final piece of my provider puzzle. Trying to get a care team together who is willing to work WITH you is so important when chronically ill. We are the ones who live with the disease so we deserve to actively make decisions about our care not just be talked at about what we should be doing.

Side note… If you are happy with the care your provider gives you please fill out those surveys you get about your visit. It’s usually only done when there is something negative to say. Those little comments go a long way.