Happy almost-Friday everyone! Today is actually my Friday so woo hip! I am only working one Friday this month actually. Go me.
I thought I'd close out the week with a '3 things Thursday' post to share what is on my mind.
1. I had my appointment with a GP yesterday. She agreed that the symptoms I am having combined with the stress fractures is very abnormal for my age. She ordered a bone density scan, which I probably won't have until next week as I need to go to a hospital, and a bunch of labs. We will see what answers the results provide. My younger sister is a nurse and my mom was a nurse, so I sent them the list of tests being done and they seemed to think the doctor was being thorough, so I feel good about that.
2. I'm not doing very well with living in Charlotte right now - actually, not doing well is an understatement. For instance, dealing with medical stuff in a new city is frustrating because I don't have a PCP here (yet) and some doctors offices won't accept new patients. When the doctor I tried to see yesterday (which was recommended by a friend) cancelled on me, I about lost it. Luckily I was able to get in at a different practice, but it was just frustrating. I'm tired and I don't feel great and I just have no patience for the challenges of living here right now.
3. On a positive note, I am escaping Charlotte for the weekend and heading to NYC today to spend a long weekend with Alli. I am so excited to spend the weekend with her! We are going to have THE BEST time.
What are your 3 things Thursday? Do you have a PCP (primary care physician)? If so, how did you find your PCP? I think finding new doctors is one of the many challenging aspects of moving to a new city. I just randomly found the person who is seeing me now but I think I got lucky as she seems great. And very kind.
I am so glad you lucked out and found a good PCP. She sounds thorough. I was so worried, as you never know what you're going to get!
ReplyDeleteI have given up on finding a PCP. And I work in the medical field. Pathetic, right? I don't have one. If I feel like I have a sinus infection, I have a friend write me scripts. (I was able to get an appointment with a podiatrist last January, but strings had to be pulled)
TriCare has a select amount of MD's you can see. Tucson is ridiculous (that's the only word I will use to describe it). Try to get an appointment to see a PCP, maybe in 2 months an appt will be available. Okay, rant complete.
I didn't know you were going to NYC this weekend! Have fun!!!! This will be good to keep your min off things. :)
I found my PCP by asking around at work, figuring that since we all have the same insurance that was a good place to start. I like my PCP but in prior cities that hasn't always been the case. I'm glad you found someone good!
ReplyDeleteGod, I hate the whole doctor process! For my insurance I have to have a PCP, and I have to waste time and money going to them for every stupid issue to get a referral to someone else. It's the stupidest process ever. I just called up Mass General to get a PCP, it was actually easier than you would think, but it's still a really dumb hassle to deal with each issue.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in NYC! I'm so jealous of all the friends who get to see you when I did not. Insert toddler temper tantrum :) haha. I hope NYC is a good burst of happiness like last weekend was!
I am so glad you feel confident in your new doctor! That is so important! I am excited for your trip to NYC! Just what the doctor ordered! Have a splendid weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad you are getting another getaway. These may be the thing that keeps you going till you can leave.
ReplyDeleteI have the best PCP anywhere! I love him to bits and I appreciate his office staff as well. He listens. I never feel rushed. I usually don't have to wait long and if I do, I never mind because I know he will hear me out, cope with my crazies, and make sure I am doing all the right things.
You are lucky your mom and sister can advise. I have "Dr. Lin" who is my friend in Ohio and I always run everything by her that is significant -- just to get another set of ears.
Take care of your foot in NYC, but have a fabulous time! (My 3 Thursday: Anticipating a weekend at the lake, a haircut/color tonight and dinner with a good friend after! Works for me!)
Have a blast in NYC this weekend. You are going to have a wonderful time. Wish I could teleport myself to hang with you girls :)
ReplyDeleteIf I'm sick I go to the walk-in clicnic that is at the practice where my PCP is and see an RN or a PRN. If I waited for him it would be like a two month wait. Although I do need to schedule a physical so I guess i should do that...
I do not have a PCP and I've been here for 13 years. Oops!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy NYC!
I don't even know what to say, just sending big virtual hugs your way. :(
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend and try not to let all this get you down.
I have what we call a "family doctor", although he doesn't know me very well because I go to the doctor once every few years and if I just need a physical or something I go to a walk-in and see whoever they have.
ReplyDeleteMy siblings and I were actually delivered by the brother of my current doctor (in a different city). It worked out well!
My other Thursday thing is that I don't want this week to end ... it is my last week of holidays.
Have fun in NYC!
ReplyDeleteWe deal with doctors all the time since I change jobs so much and each one has a different insurance package. I tend to find them on the insurance web site, then on the first meeting I can decide if I like them or not.
Have soo much fun in NYC! Looks like you're going to get perfect weather :)
ReplyDeleteI don't even have a PCP. I had to sort of find a general PCP when I first moved here because that's the only way I could get an appointment with an endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) which was obviously my first priority! I saw her once after that when I thought I had hypothyroidism, but that's it. That was six years ago! I still don't have one up here in Westchester. I have a dentist, and an eye doctor, and an endocrinologist but that's it. I totally get what you mean about finding the right person though. It took me forever to find a dentist that I could tolerate.
ReplyDeleteI found my PCP by a bit of luck. I actually called my mom's doctor's office up because she LOVES her PCP and told me I needed to go to him. He, unfortunately, wasn't accepting new patients but another women in the office was so I just decided to go to her. I ended up LOVING her (she's young and I felt very comfortable talking to her). I'm just crossing my fingers she accepts the insurance my new job has! I'm glad you were able to find one by luck, too. I know SO many people don't have a PCP, but I think it's really important to find one because you never know when you'll need one.
ReplyDeleteHave the best time in NYC. I am so glad you're getting away. You sound like you need it!
Finding good doctors is a lot harder than you would think. Another way of saying that is, there are far too many doctors with TERRIBLE manners who are completely disrespectful of their patients!
ReplyDeleteFor a long time, Sweets and I had an HMO for insurance. My OBGYN and PCP had to be in the same group of doctors. I loved my OBGYN (who came to me by way of recommendation years ago) and settled for one of the PCPs in his group (I actually tried three different PCPs and pretty much found them all to be awful). Thankfully, I was relatively healthy, so only saw them once a year or so.
Now that we're no longer in an HMO, I found a new PCP (who is really great - amazing, actually) by way of recommendation. Because of my TERRIBLE experience with PCPs, I'm very quick to share the names of good doctors when I find them!
I technically have two. I never officially broke up with my last one but I got a new one 2 years ago in the same office as isla's pedi but I've never made an appt. So I hope he's still my doc! ;)
ReplyDelete1. I'm so excited to have you here. We are going to have the best time!
ReplyDelete2. I just booked my bus ticket to go up to Massachusetts to meet my new baby cousin, Annabelle!!!
3. As you know, I'm feeling quite raw from some crappy things that have happened lately which makes numbers 1 and 2 even better!
Ahhhhh! Give Alli a big fat hug for me!
ReplyDeleteI think I have a good doc, but have only seen her once so far. I switched this year because my old one was terrible IMO. Have an awesome time in NYC! I was there in the fall of 2007 and would love to go back. So many great memories.
ReplyDelete1. I'm so ready for it to be Friday.
2. We're having this weird dreary, but muggy thunderstorm type weather in Eugene
3. I've been feeling really tired this week and only feel like eating junk food. Trying not to indulge too much though. :)
There are just so few PCPs! After hurricane Katrina it was virtually impossible to get primary care (no docs, no facilities) but it's improving now. But when my PCP moved, I had to scramble. I found only one accepting new patients from the group in my building (I work in a hospital/medical clinic), and my early April phone call got me a MID AUGUST appointment. Crazy. This is one of the reasons for a big push for more NPs and PAs.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a PCP, but do go to a female-type doctor every year. I actually started going to him because it was who my SIL was using, and since then I've heard a lot of people who use that practice. And lucky for me, my MIL works at a medical lab, so the few times I've needed a quick appointment she's usually able to get me in within the next day or so.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in New York! I love that city; it's so fun to explore! There is a really great French place called Singh Verte down near Union Square. The duck there is delicious!
ReplyDeleteI just picked my PCP using eeenie, miney, moe. It's probably not the best way, but I never even see her, as most visits are with specialists.
We still do not have a PCP but Elle is all hooked up. We went off of neighbor recommendations and a basic google searches of Top Dr in austin or do top Dr in charlotte and lots of good reviews are out there. That is how I found my dermatologist and I love her.
ReplyDeleteCatching up on your blog now, I can't BELIEVE you have to get a bone density scan. I'm really anxious to hear the results of this. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend away though!
ReplyDeleteA thorough doctor is a good thing. I'm glad you have had NYC to distract you form what is clearly quite stressful and wearing for you. You know where I am if you need to vent.
ReplyDeleteI kept my PCP who is in Charlotte. In fact all my doctors are Charlotte. I like them all and I work in Pineville so it didn't make sense for me to change to Concord doctors.
ReplyDeleteI hate hate hate that you are having to deal with this and I'm very thankful that this doctor is thorough!!!
I know you are having a blast in NYC!!!
There are apparently thousands of people in our city looking for a doctor. A new doctor just came here for the first time in YEARS and she filled up with patients in less than a month. I was extremely lucky to be one of those patients (though I did have to schedule my annual lady doctor appt EIGHT months in advance because that's how busy she is). It's crazy how badly doctors are needed around here...
ReplyDeleteI already know you had a great weekend in NYC and I'm so glad!