DOCTOR SHOPPING 101 - by Sally Kalksma
Original source: https://www.sallykalksma.com/post/doctor-shopping
People will test drive several cars, sample multiple paint colors on their living room wall, even try different hairstylists in a 10-mile radius before finding their perfect match, but people just won’t go through all that research and time to find the right doctor! I just can't understand why some people will take the time to research what type of weed wacker to buy, but then just listen to the first doctor they talk to when they find out they have a serious illness. How does this make any sense? The first vacuum we see could have the worst suction power or shortest cord. We've got to shop around, yes, even for doctors.
The first thing I did when a general oncologist diagnosed me with Multiple Myeloma 12 years ago was research. Research on the type of cancer I had, the different treatment plans available, and who the best Multiple Myeloma specialists in the world were. There is a reason why there is some saying that goes “reading is power”. As a good rule of thumb, it is ideal to get at least three opinions before settling on a doctor and treatment plan.
Having a good rapport with your physician is one of the most important things you can do for your well being. You must trust your doctor, feel comfortable with your doctor and be able to discuss ANYTHING & EVERYTHING with your doctor. You need to choose a doctor that is the right fit for you. This goes for a treatment plan as well as your comfort level too!
I am fortunate enough to live in a metropolitan area and have access to great hospitals. My health is worth driving 1-3 hours to see a good doctor. I made appointments with 2 other oncologists, both Multiple Myeloma specialists and world-renowned in their field. They both worked at different university hospitals but had a very different approach to treating me.
The first specialist wanted to immediately start me on chemotherapy. I know several other fellow warriors who see this doctor. They love and trust him, but I needed another opinion. The second specialist said he was not going to treat me until my levels hit a magic number. He explained I was still in the smoldering stage and he wanted to wait till I hit stage one. He told me I looked beautiful and to continue running & drinking. Bingo, that was the doctor for me! He watched me every 3-6 months. I did not hit that special number and start treatment until 2016. Eight healthy, fun-filled, eventful years later!
Choosing this doctor was one of the most important and smartest decisions I have ever made. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if I started treatment in 2008 since my husband was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer 6 months after my diagnosis. He underwent a lot of treatment before passing away 8 months later.
I look forward to seeing my doctor. And like all of his patients in the waiting room, we don’t mind the wait to see him. No one complains. He’s that good! Even my friends and family members who occasionally accompany me also enjoy his bedside manner.
Your doctor is not the only person you should bond with. It’s important to get to know everyone on your healthcare team. Everyone has an important roll in your life. Learn what their job is, and do everything to help make it easier for them. You’re not their only patient.
You have a job too: you are your own advocate. Do not rely on someone else to schedule that appointment or forward the referral. You do it. And keep good notes because your insurance company needs that very important number you were told for that MRI scheduled at that facility on that date by that doctor! Remember what I just wrote earlier, “you’re not their only patient”.
Here’s one more bit of advice when getting opinions and follow up appointments..... Plan accordingly. Plan time for traffic, parking, then sitting around in a waiting room. Why do you think they call it a waiting room? Duh! Bring a book, tablet, pillow. Or play “I spy with my little eyes”, a favorite game of mine on long car rides.
Speaking of cars again, If you are ever faced with a serious illness, which I hope you’re not, then get in the driver’s seat and take control! Read, research and try your best to enjoy the ride!
................................................................................................................................................................
ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
SALLY KALKSMA was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2008. A year later, her husband passed from cancer. She took her stress out on the stairs at work during lunch. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation heard about this and invited her to participate in the Empire State Building Run Up to raise awareness and funds for the MMRF. Within 5 years of competitive stair climbing, Sally became ranked 20th overall in the world and 5th overall in the nation by the World Tower Running Association. In 2016, she started treatment for Multiple Myeloma, and underwent an autologous stem cell transplant in 2017. Four months after her transplant, she ran a 5 mile race, and then competed in a stair climb. Today, Sally enjoys encouraging others going through adversity as a cancer patient advocate, a motivational speaker and an educational writer. She was recently awarded a membership to the NY Cancer Resource Alliance and is now a content contributor for NYCRA NEWS. For more information on Sally, visit: https://www.sallykalksma.com/
...............................................................................................................................................................
Copyright Notice: The materials provided on this website are copyrighted and the intellectual property of awarenessforacure.com and the authors of each article. All articles, videos and educational content in this website are provided publicly for your own personal, non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, public display or performance, or any other uses by you in any form or manner whatsoever. Unless otherwise indicated on this Internet web site, you may display, download, archive, and print a single copy of any information on this Internet web site, or otherwise distributed from us for such personal, non-commercial use.
Disclaimer: The producers and publishers of this website/blog nor its principals, or any individual associated with this website are not responsible for the misuse of the information provided or of the content of any sites accessed through links on this website. Reliance on any information provided herein or its staff is solely at your own risk. This website and any of the links it contains are solely for public awareness, educational and informational description purposes only. No information posted or provided on this site is intended to provide any medical or other health care service. You should not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information through this website. Always seek the face-to-face advice of a physician or other qualified health professional before making any change in treatment or discontinuing any medications. The purpose of this site or any initial e-mail or telephone inquiries that arise from potential patients are intended solely to advise about potential services and are not medical or other health consultations.
The first thing I did when a general oncologist diagnosed me with Multiple Myeloma 12 years ago was research. Research on the type of cancer I had, the different treatment plans available, and who the best Multiple Myeloma specialists in the world were. There is a reason why there is some saying that goes “reading is power”. As a good rule of thumb, it is ideal to get at least three opinions before settling on a doctor and treatment plan.
Having a good rapport with your physician is one of the most important things you can do for your well being. You must trust your doctor, feel comfortable with your doctor and be able to discuss ANYTHING & EVERYTHING with your doctor. You need to choose a doctor that is the right fit for you. This goes for a treatment plan as well as your comfort level too!
I am fortunate enough to live in a metropolitan area and have access to great hospitals. My health is worth driving 1-3 hours to see a good doctor. I made appointments with 2 other oncologists, both Multiple Myeloma specialists and world-renowned in their field. They both worked at different university hospitals but had a very different approach to treating me.
The first specialist wanted to immediately start me on chemotherapy. I know several other fellow warriors who see this doctor. They love and trust him, but I needed another opinion. The second specialist said he was not going to treat me until my levels hit a magic number. He explained I was still in the smoldering stage and he wanted to wait till I hit stage one. He told me I looked beautiful and to continue running & drinking. Bingo, that was the doctor for me! He watched me every 3-6 months. I did not hit that special number and start treatment until 2016. Eight healthy, fun-filled, eventful years later!
Choosing this doctor was one of the most important and smartest decisions I have ever made. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if I started treatment in 2008 since my husband was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer 6 months after my diagnosis. He underwent a lot of treatment before passing away 8 months later.
I look forward to seeing my doctor. And like all of his patients in the waiting room, we don’t mind the wait to see him. No one complains. He’s that good! Even my friends and family members who occasionally accompany me also enjoy his bedside manner.Your doctor is not the only person you should bond with. It’s important to get to know everyone on your healthcare team. Everyone has an important roll in your life. Learn what their job is, and do everything to help make it easier for them. You’re not their only patient.
You have a job too: you are your own advocate. Do not rely on someone else to schedule that appointment or forward the referral. You do it. And keep good notes because your insurance company needs that very important number you were told for that MRI scheduled at that facility on that date by that doctor! Remember what I just wrote earlier, “you’re not their only patient”.
Here’s one more bit of advice when getting opinions and follow up appointments..... Plan accordingly. Plan time for traffic, parking, then sitting around in a waiting room. Why do you think they call it a waiting room? Duh! Bring a book, tablet, pillow. Or play “I spy with my little eyes”, a favorite game of mine on long car rides.
Speaking of cars again, If you are ever faced with a serious illness, which I hope you’re not, then get in the driver’s seat and take control! Read, research and try your best to enjoy the ride!
................................................................................................................................................................
ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
...............................................................................................................................................................
Disclaimer: The producers and publishers of this website/blog nor its principals, or any individual associated with this website are not responsible for the misuse of the information provided or of the content of any sites accessed through links on this website. Reliance on any information provided herein or its staff is solely at your own risk. This website and any of the links it contains are solely for public awareness, educational and informational description purposes only. No information posted or provided on this site is intended to provide any medical or other health care service. You should not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information through this website. Always seek the face-to-face advice of a physician or other qualified health professional before making any change in treatment or discontinuing any medications. The purpose of this site or any initial e-mail or telephone inquiries that arise from potential patients are intended solely to advise about potential services and are not medical or other health consultations.
WHAT A GREAT MIRACLE THAT I HAVE EVER SEE IN MY LIFE. My names are Clara David I’m a citizen of USA, My younger sister was sicking of breast cancer and her name is Sandra David I and my family have taking her to all kind of hospital in USA still yet no good result. I decided to search for cancer cure so that was how I found a lady called Peter Lizzy. She was testifying to the world about the goodness of a herbal man who has the roots and herbs to cure all kinds of disease and the herbal man's email was there. So I decided to contact the herbal man @herbalist_sakura for my younger sister's help to cure her breast cancer. I contacted him and told him my problem he told me that I should not worry that my sister cancer will be cure, he told me that there is a medicine that he is going to give me that I will cook it and give it to my sister to drink for one week, so I ask how can I receive the cure that I am in USA, he told me That I will pay for the delivery service. The courier service can transport it to me so he told me the amount I will pay, so my dad paid for the delivery fee. two days later I receive the cure from the courier service so I used it as the herbal man instructed me to, before the week complete my sister cancer was healed and it was like a dream to me not knowing that it was physical I and my family were very happy about the miracle of Doctor so my dad wanted to pay him 5 million us dollars the herbal man did not accept the offer from my dad, but I don't know why he didn't accept the offer, he only say that I should tell the world about him and his miracle he perform so am now here to tell the world about him if you or your relative is having any kind of disease that you can't get from the hospital please contact dr.sakuraspellalter@gmail.com or whats app him +2348110114739 you can follow him up on Instagram @herbalist_sakura for the cure, he will help you out with the problem. And if you need more information about the doctor you can mail me davidclara223@gmail.com
ReplyDelete