I took a Christmas gift to my doctor today. I had a follow-up appointment. The last time I went, she watched me as I fidgeted, listened as I cried, told me I wasn't comfortable in my own skin, and she was absolutely right. She could tell just by watching, listening to me. She knows me, she gets me. I walk in and she's totally there for me, ready to hear what I feel like telling her, what I need to tell her, what's on my mind. She's sympathetic, proactive, caring, considerate.
She'll give me any test I ask for. She's open to trying new medications to help me feel better, to help me with weight issues, thyroid issues, headaches, depression. I walk in the door and she'll shove a Xanax prescription at me (not really, but I do joke with my mom about this). She calls to check in on me, is available for appointments practically immediately, knows my history, smiles when she walks into the room while I'm sitting there, waiting never more than a couple of minutes for her to arrive.
I haven't had a migraine in over a month because she put me on topamax. And strangely, this medication has given me an adversion to STARBUCKS, can you believe it?! I have not had a latte since the day after Thanksgiving, and even then I didn't finish it. Think of all the money I am saving! I'm back on Effexor and feeling the need to pummel the kids less and less every day. Kidding! I've never wanted to pummel my beautiful angels! I'm really feeling I can face the holidays cheerfully and readily. That's got to say something. I'm back on WW, and enjoying the choices I'm making in food, although it's going to be a challenge the next couple of weeks. So, all in all, good feelings abound.
I've never given a gift to a doctor before. Never felt like I should, or never wanted to. But I wanted my doctor to know how much I appreciated the time she spends helping me to get well, the time she spends caring for me. I know she's busy; she's a mother of three young boys, AND she's a doctor! She's got her own problems! I just wanted to let her know how important she is to me.
It was just a little gift-a candle, a notepad, a beanbag paperweight with one side imprinted BAD DAY, the other side printed GOOD DAY, a monogrammed post-it note holder and some chocolates.
I'm hoping the card is the most meaningful gift though. In it I wrote: "I'm hoping the season brings you all the peace, health and happiness your care has brought to me."
Because she really has made me better!
Is there an unexpected person in your life you have considered giving a gift to? Someone who would totally be surprised by it? These are my most favorite gifts to share!
Kids Keep Reminding Me: Five Days Till Santa Comes!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
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32 comments:
I'm jealous, you know... I've never had a doctor 'get' me before. Which is why I stay away from them as often as I can.
I would love to get a gift for the lady who owns the coffee shop that I frequent. She is so sweet and remembers what kind of coffee I like to drink. I know it's her job to do it because she owns the place, but still... She's my cheery beacon of light in a sea of hostile coworkers.
Ironically, my doctor. I just had to cancel my appointment tomorrow so it will be a New Year gift.
I'm glad you've found a keeper. I know what a big deal that is and how hard it is to find!!
And what a beautiful way to show her how she has affected your life!!
I LOVE my family practice doctor. She is my age and she does "get" me. She also acts like she has nothing better to do on the day of my appointment than sit there and listen to what ails me that particular day.
I love that I don't feel stupid about telling her I think I am beginning my potential "10 years of pre-menopause symptoms". She just nods in understanding and even adds a stroke on my arm to make sure I know she gets it.
Great gesture, you bringing a gift. I'm sure she totally loved it.
Melisa
Suburban Scrawl
and
Remembering Ruby
I'm so glad you are feeling better.
Son of a nutcracker! I had a long word verification...
cgoegkmd
That is one amazing doctor! She TOTALLY deserves a gift!
Hey, I just heard sugar substitutes can counter act antidepressants. Put that in your "for what it's worth" file.
love.
I can tell you right now you made that docs year. I work in health care and when it goes bad you hear- and when it goes well usually you hear nothing.
I'm so glad you feel well- you deserve it.
Melisa--quite possibly we may have the same Doc??? We do live in the same town practically!!!
Can I just give more prezzies to my husbie? He has had to put up with all my crazies this year and that is not easy!
Oh yeah, I am thinking about moving to Chicago just for your Doctor. You realize that with your awesome 'hood and fab doc - you are going to single handedly double the population!
HUGS!!!!!!!! I so feel you! Four of the last six months have been HELL and if it wasn't for having such a great doctor I might have given up.
I hardly know my doctor. I've been to the doctor's office twice this year. Once for poison ivy (to get steroid pills) and once for a flu shot.
I don't think I went at all in 2006.
Manic..glad things are working out for you! Its great to read.
Little March and I are going to Hannah Montana tonight...the countdown is on..details on my blog tomorrow! hahahaw
Kevin--here's to your great health. Quit rolling around in poison ivy and you'll have a great track record!
March--I never blogged about it, but Diva did Hannah Montana a couple weeks ago. I am emailing you photos after I post this comment...She went with a friend, who got the tix from Santa early. Have a great time!
Sugar substitutes ounter anti drepressents??
NO SHIT SHERLOCK!!
They, along with MSG and other so called food chemicals are excitotoxins and kill your brain cells. They also make you inhibit the "happy hormaones" - that's why you never lose weight drinking diet drinks, you comfort eat your way over the sweetner induced depression
I have a great GP but I also have great friends who listen to me rant on about things - it's probabaly down to them I 've never needed to take medication.
I gave a present to my "regular customers" at Bob Evans. I've waitressed there for several years and grown attached to several of our regulars, but these people always come in and ask to sit in my section. It makes me feel special that they request me, so I take extra good care of them. I baked them some homemade Cranberry Walnut bread.
:)
Awww, Tanya, that is sooo sweet! Do they do anything nice for you then too? How great that you have regulars! Says a lot about how you must treat them! : )
I'm jealous, too. I had a doctor that "got" me, but she decided to only work hospital rounds... I'm searching again for a good doctor.
I'm really glad you have a doctor that gets you, though. :)
I need a new doctor, but Chicago is very, very far away from me. Does you doc, perhaps, have a sister?
In terms of giving a surprise gift to someone--yes, I'm giving a mother I know from the elementary school playground a gift. A hot water bottle. It makes sense, if you know the whole story. :)
Totally intrigued me with the hot water bottle?
Manic~ I was actually thinking "Hmm, maybe we have the same doctor!" as I was reading your post, but then I got to the part about your doctor having 3 kids. Mine only has a hubby, no kids. That would have been hilarious, though!
Melisa
Suburban Scrawl
and
Remembering Ruby
That's awesome that you're giving her such a tangible token of your gratitude. I bet it will mean a lot. Well done!
My doctor gave me a present. The specialist I've been seeing for my shoulder wrote to tell me he wasn't going to charge for the last appointment I had with him. I think he felt bad when I had to tell him my insurance wasn't paying for any of my out patients stuff and I had been picking up the tab for the last 3 months. Still, I was very surprised when I read the letter.
The hot water bottle story: I woman I know was going thru menopauses and always having hot flashes. Fine. At least she wasn't chilly in bed. Now, she's done with the hot flashes and her feet are like ice cubes. I mentioned the joys of a hot water bottle and was surprised to hear she'd never tried one! Voila! A Christmas idea is born! Thanks for visiting m blog!
That's a really nice gesture, and I'm sure it was appreciated. I avoid doctors like the plague, although it has been over two years since I've done the "woman" thing, and I totally need to make that appointment.
Talking with a friend of mine who totally gets me and relates to me, I am considering speaking to the doctor, if I ever can drag my ass there, about why I feel so pissed off 85% of the time. I do steal hubby's Xanax, and while it takes the edge off (not to mention I now can't sleep without it, grrrr), I still am quite easily angered and have serious anxiety issues. I've wanted to talk to someone about this for a long time, but I've just been...I don't know, like I don't want to ask for help.
Notice how I just totally hijacked your comments to whine about my own issues? I want your doctor. Chicago's a little far, unfortunately.
you never know when a thank you will make a difference in someone's life.
thanks for sharing the story, sounds like you have a great doctor.
You're so sweet! That is why you're my BBFF!
hey Manic..my hannah concert review is up..hahah..it was a blast..would have been better if I was an 8.5 year old girl..but little march had a blast..so that is what counts!
That is great news Manic. I am very happy that you have a friend and such a relationship with your Doctor.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
I miss my doctor in California for that reason.
That is so sweet that you did that for her. You made her day, I'd imagine.
That is great that you have someone who you can trust like that who will take care of you!
Wish I could find a Dr. like this!
You are so lucky!
Merry Christmas!!!
She sounds amazing! You're very lucky to have her.
I'm guessing your gift meant an awful lot to her.
That sounds lovely. We were actually going to invite our PCP to our wedding (heh heh, "PCP"), but she got weeded out as we were slashing the list to get it down to 100 people. She's treated both hubs and I for years and she may have seen both of us and charged only one and given us bags of samples when she knew we couldn't afford anything more. She does just get us. She's also the one who finally send hubs in to the specialist to get his nose (and sinuses) fixed. we love her. She also has a partner who's younger than we are and we love her also.
Glad you're doing so well on the meds. I liked your diabetes analogy. Sometimes the chemicals in your body are out of whack and there's no one to blame, least of all you. Taking meds forever isn't worst thing. I know I tell myself I'm glad I have more than my predecessors did. I've been taking 1/2 a 0.5mg Klonopin at night and had to take a whole one during the day last week. BAD day. I was going to hurt something, someone, or myself. But the drying out period from the patch is over tomorrow and for Christmas I get to start Cymbalta. Here's hoping it works and doesn't have weird side effects.
Hmm, now who else would I give a gift to? My colleague who did all of this work for me after my grandma died, probably. She emailed me and then hunted all over the building to find me to give me things and make sure I had everything I needed for the last few weeks of school. I wrote her a really nice card and told her how much it meant to me.
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