Dr. Stupid-Head

Well, I had hoped to get all up to date on the history of my medical journey before my next doctor appointment, but that has not happened. But I don't want skip sharing today's events. So you will have to forgive me as I will have to go Back to the Future in later posts.

THE LIVER DOCTOR APPOINTMENT
This morning I had my 3-month check up with the liver doctor. My previous appointment had me meet with a different (new) doctor - Dr. Stupid-Head - that I was not very happy with. I told my regular liver doc, Dr. K, about my frustrations with Dr. Stupid-Head and he told me how I could make sure to see him (Dr. K). So when I called to confirm this appointment, they told me it would be with Dr. K. I was extremely disappointed when Dr. Stupid-Head walked in this morning.

He said my liver scores are basically holding steady. I would share the numbers, except I accidently left my copy with my second appointment of the day (which we'll get into shortly). I had questions to ask the liver doc and this is where the frustrations ignite. Since I was really sick last month with a low fever that came and went for five days I wondered if/when I should get concerned in those cases. I've never been sick like that before, so what should my mind set be? His response was "That's not related to anything [meaning treatment] we are doing." But, uhm, that wasn't my question.

Let's try another question: "I am meeting with an endocrinologist later this morning. I will obviously tell her about what's going on here, but would you recommend any key points I should make sure she knows?" The response..."Endocrinologist...that's bones, right?" He then proceeds to tell me how PSC affects bone density (information I already know).

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? How did this guy graduate medical school without knowing what the endocrine system is?!?!? I said, "Never mind, if you don't know, just forget it." And I shut down and just wanted to get out of there. How could I ask any other questions when I don't trust that he knows anything he's talking about and he seems overly anxious to schedule my next colonoscopy. When the nurse was scheduling my next appointment she asked if I wanted to see Stupid-Head or Dr. K. I let her know very clearly that I only wanted to see Dr. K. So she worked hard to figure out the schedule and she said she would call me if it changes.

THE ENDOCRINOLOGIST APPOINTMENT
I killed some time at Jamba Juice and updated a couple friends on the first appointment before heading to the second appointment. I love being able to vent to them about Stupid-Head. Jim met me for this one. I don't really understand what an endocrinologist is for, so didn't know what to expect from this appointment. I was just hoping to leap another hurdle forward. I figured she would either be able to 1) look at my hormones and thyroid and whatever else and determine if she could help me OR 2) she would determine she couldn't help me and be able to make the case to insurance that I need to see a specialist. The biggest question Jim and I need answered right now is Am I Ovulating?

We met with Dr. T and she was very nice. I told my story and told her we were looking for direction. Because our goal is pregnancy, she didn't feel she was the one we needed to get help from. She says we need to see a fertility specialist. She will write a letter to help make the case. YAY! We got one desired result. Dr. T will also do a blood work-up on me to check all my hormones and everything so that we at least have that information. If she sees anything that she feels she can address, then we will tackle that as needed.

So, no huge successes, but at least we can still feel forward momentum. I could use prayers for emotional stamina as it has been pretty hard lately. I'm feeling pretty buried by the business of it all and need to remember the joy I am truly seeking.