Weekly Check In July 19 thru July 25
Description - A stethascope circles a geometric heart
Source Pexels
*Note - the linked article does get a bit graphic regarding a skin condition, hidradenitis suppurativa.
I came across an article where a doctor pushed a patient to try treatment to control their condition more than it was, and came to regret it.
The article concludes with:
My patient’s care is likely to remain challenging for years to come. I hope he knows I’ll stick with him, and advocate on his behalf. But I also hope I can remember to check myself when I can’t help but want to get him to 90% and to respect his autonomy. I must wield his confidence in me carefully, and only recommend what truly fits his goals.
I want him to live the life he wants and respect his judgment. If 80% better is good enough for him, it should be good enough for me.
I think there's also a great take away from this which can easily be applied to many situations!
We all know about the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But perhaps I should be following the Platinum Rule - “Treat others the way they want to be treated.”
Do you feel enabled by your doctor(s) or care team?
Is there something you wish they would change to respect your autonomy better?
How are things going this week?
If you would like to add/remove yourself from our automatic taglist, please click HERE
@adequatelyInadequate @adventurousBranch3786 @AffyAvo @Arsalanahmed @Ashleylovescats @Averayne93 @Azalea98 @azuladragon34 @BeyondTheInvisible @BlindGrapefruit @bouncyVoice4149 @Breezy2013 @CaringBrit @CheeryPotato @CheerySandi @ChildGoddessFlute @Colorfulcatsofhope @considerateParadise6717 @Disneywoman @DoISayIt @DylanMark @Edobre399 @Emiliako @enthusiasticTortoise6681 @Fireskye13 @friendlyEars8792 @goldenSpruce1512 @InfiniteThoughts2k19 @Jamesjones10123 @jovialButterfly6752 @JoyfulUnicorn @JoyIntoDarkness @K87 @killaj0ule @lightTriangle7748 @LikeABirdWithoutWings @lovelySun2900 @LoveMyRotty @magnifiedfaith @MikuoniandBlueCheese @MistyMagic @mnhtx3 @moosprbrk @MyNameIsNicole @NaomiR @NevaehRose @OneErased @pinkbunnywabbit @Pixiechu @PotFullOfSky2020 @Raysofsunshineandrainbow2005 @redGrapes1822 @Redheadmadeofglitter94 @repen13 @sabeyesofblue3535 @SmolBurrahobbit12 @specialPurple1582 @StarsOrchidsOwls @sunshinegiraffe123 @TimidBear @u2canwin @wahmbrenda @WeedyGarden @wonderfulRainbow817
I feel more like a meal ticket being passed around. So many tests and procedures later and then another referral to more tests and procedures.
I'm suffering. I would like some answers.
@WeedyGarden I hope all of those tests lead to more answers soon and that your doctors will start working with you better!
I have been seeing a new doctor since May. . . I feel very rushed and like he pushing weight lost surgery and pushing my issues off to other doctors. I really don't feel it's like a team.
Do you feel enabled by your doctor(s) or care team? I feel like my doctor feels my "fatness" is causing all of my problems. However my sleep doctor and my OBGYN all say that losing weight for me may be hardier that most. . . CPAP helps when it doesn't leak. My hormones are off balance, but now I have gout in my ankles, arthitis in my knees, and carpel tunnel in my wrists. And yet my doctors keep rescheduling me, and I feel like nothing gets done.
Is there something you wish they would change to respect your autonomy better? I wish my hormones would be more balanced.
How are things going this week? I'm a bit stressed one of my doctor had to reschedule for the third time for my ganglion cyst.
@Rebekahwriter13 That sounds really frustrating and I think there's such a double standard with weight - when underweight doctors think of it as a symptom of other things and when overwieght they tend to think of it as a cause of other things!
Hopefully the cyst appointments go smoothly now and your doctors will be able to sort things out!
@AffyAvo All of my appointments got rescheduled this week. Ride and over schedule issues.
@Rebekahwriter13, I am sorry things are stressful for you right now. It is understandable as to why you'd feel that way. Your care is very important and should be a team effort. While weight can be a cause of problems I also feel that doctors contribute that to too many things. I can understand wishing things to be balanced. I have electrolyte imbalance constantly no matter what I do so I am aware of how when things are off balanced all the problems it can cause. Maybe not the specific things you are going through but definitely the fact that it makes life harder when imbalanced.I hope your appoiintments will go well!
@AffyAvo
Do you feel enabled by your doctor(s) or care team? I feel like my care team and doctors understand that I have Autism. But recently they have been doing nothing for me.
Is there something you wish they would change to respect your autonomy better? If there was something I would like them to change is for them to let me express myself.
How are things going this week? During this week I have had up and Downs. I recently just got off the mental health hospital
on Tuesday.
Hi @incrediblescarlet198! I can relate to what you are going through unfortunately. It is important that people let us express ourselves as it is a form of communicating whether it is displeasure, happiness, anger, embarassment, etc. As a person you have every right to express yourself. Often times we have weeks that are roller coasters and while the downs are rough there is only one direction to go - up! Keep hanging in there and stay positive! Being our own advocates is a great way to communicate our needs! If you need to ever talk please reach out to any of our listeners (including me) as we'd be so happy to help you and be a support for you! 
Happy Thursday!
@AffyAvo
Do you feel enabled by your doctor(s) or care team?
I guess this means supported? I don't really feel supported or cared for. I very rarely come across health professionals who are empathetic to what I'm dealing with.
Is there something you wish they would change to respect your autonomy better?
Just listen to patients. Put themselves in my shoes and believe me.
How are things going this week?
Not a good week this week. Very tired and had nerve and joint pain yesterday which kind of affected my work.
So sorry to hear you aren't supported. It seems as if that is a common thing nowadays. I feel like if doctors took a chance and believed us things would go much smoother for all involved. Plus as patients we would feel more supported. I can totally understand how nerve and joint pain can affect your work. It is a lot of pain and sometimes makes doing work very difficult to nearly impossible to do.
