Thursday, June 17, 2010

First Face-to-Face

Image by owaisk_4u

Yesterday I met my new rheumatologist, Dr. J.

First impressions are tricky, aren't they? Because even though a physician gives you a thorough examination, discusses the intricacies of your medical history and reviews your current medications and symptoms.........well, no matter what Dr. J. says or does, she's still not Dr. S. I miss walking into the exam room confident in the Dr./patient relationship that Dr. S. and I have developed over the last seven years.

However.

Dr. J. is a very thorough and qualified practitioner. She is the department chair for the rheumatology unit, and even though I'm sure that she's an uber-busy woman, she pulled up a chair and spent a great deal of time getting to know me. She had obviously done her homework - she knew that I am a nurse and her discussion with me reflected that knowledge in her choice of words in our discussion. I can tell that Dr. J. has a matter-of-fact disposition and her treatment mode is very goal-oriented, which I appreciate. Both she and her staff gave me contact telephone numbers and expressed a desire for me to call or email them if I had any questions or concerns.

I think we'll get along just fine.

4 comments:

annie said...

Welcome back. You are lucky to have found a good doctor in a reasonable period of time. They seem to be a great team, and hopefully your transition from one doctor to another will be an easy one.

Jenny P said...

A good start, I agree:) I always feel the second big test comes when I have a problem between appointments and need it addressed...and sometimes that doesn't happen until I've already been a patient a while! But the attitude of the staff is very reassuring. Congrats!

Vicky said...

Hey Julia! Nice to see your doing well. Glad you found Dr. J.

Julia Oleinik said...

Thanks, everyone.

Vicky! So glad to see you again - I look forward to reading more on Sjogren's and Me.....sounds like it's difficult for you right now. Hugs.

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