Doctors (long)

[Guest guest]

I have been reading these posts with some interest. I am sure

most of us could tell horror stories and stories of excellent doctors as

well. Having worked at a chiropractic college, I was totally amazed at

how these students could take a 30 hour a semester load of predominantly

science classes, do internships, work, have families, and still have time

to sleep. Most of the students I worked with never got more then 3 hours

of sleep a night during the semester. Most were borrowing a minimum of

$10,000 a trimester ($30,000 a year.) The thing that amazed me the most

was seeing the ones who really cared versus the ones who were in it for

the money. And there definitely was a difference. Everyone choices

their career for different reasons, some of which are financial. It is,

however, unfair to judge all people based on those few.

The other thought I had was that I have had some really lousy

medical care and some really wonderful medical care. I saw a Physician's

Assistant for 5 years. In that 5 years, I never saw his supervising

physician. The care for the first 4 years was okay - not excellent but

not bad either. In August of 2000, I started retaining water. It was

nothing unusual since it was 113 degrees here in Texas. But I also had

diabetic sore starting behind my knees. By October, I was still

retaining water and expressed the fact that I was concerned about the

amount I was retaining. Unfortunately I was to heavy for their scales so

we didn't really know how much I was retaining. Finally in November he

decided to do something about the diabetic sores behind the knees. He

referred me to a specialist a month later. I had a cardialogist and a

pulmonologist both tell me I was retaining to much water. Since they

were not my PCP, it was hard to admit me to the hospital because I had

been referred to them for sleep apnea. I kept telling my PA something

was wrong. Long story short, I went from 367 lbs in May of 2000 to 479

lbs in May of 2001. I had to have an attorney friend of mine show up at

the last office visit to get checked into the hospital. I had Congestive

Heart Failure and COPD. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and would

eventually be put on an anti-depressant that helped with weight loss.

I was in the hospital or in rehab for the next 2 1/2 months.

Never once did this PA come to see me. Never once did his supervising

physician come to see me (his partner did.) Their only saving grace was

that they had referred me to the angel of a physician I see now (the

pulmonologist/internal medicine.) This physician realizes I won't have

insurance until September when Medicare kicks in and only charges me

about $30 a visit. He gives me samples when he can and has helped me get

medication benefits. His time is definitely worth more then $30 a visit.

The things I have to keep in mind is that all doctors have spent

a small fortune on their education. It is truly expensive to pay it

back. Then you add malpractice insurance, office staff, taxes, etc and

it can be overwhelming. But it is amazing that any doctor would put that

aside to care enough about his/her patience. The good ones always do.

The mediocer (?) ones sometimes do. The bad ones don't bother. It is in

finding the good ones that is our challenge. And they are out there. I

have one. My bariatric surgeons also did and do care. They have

consistently said that they don't do wls for the money, they do it

because they care.

Lori Owen - Denton, Texas

CHF 4/14/01 479 lbs.

SRVG 7/16/01 401 lbs.

Current Weight 339.5 lbs. and loosing again

Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce