Faith Through the Journey

Recently I had a routine appointment with my gastroenterologist. Because of my very long history of Crohn’s Disease, my relationship with gastroenterologists has been more than a formal, once-a-year checkup. Over the past 25 years, I’ve had 4 different GI doctors. I never wanted to leave my first one, but he left the gastro-world for a less demanding branch of medicine. I can understand that–he was ready to enjoy life a little more and his wife wanted to see more of him! The next 2 doctors I had were very knowledgeable and for awhile we did fine together, but when they stopped listening to me seriously I headed for the door. Going back to the days when I was first diagnosed by our family doctor, I’ve had a problem with doctors who don’t think I’m being honest with them about the severity of my symptoms and the need for them to try to HELP ME! I’ve understood completely when they don’t have an immediate answer or feel the need to have me try something to see if it will help. However, when they’ve taken the position that “Well, you shouldn’t be in THAT much pain, based on your X-rays”, they’re not as concerned about making me FEEL better as getting me off the phone or out of their waiting room!

My first GI doctor here in San Antonio was the kind that wouldn’t rest until he found a way to make me FEEL better, and that was the main criteria I used when looking for my current doctor. I’ve been her patient for about 7 years, and I think my case has frustrated her more than once. She has wanted SO BADLY to help me feel better, and she’s felt that she failed me. We’ve tried a number of different medications, been through some interesting  procedures, weathered 2 surgeries and she’s called me her “complicated” patient. She’s been very worried about my weight loss (a side effect most people would find beneficial!), and has kept checking my blood to make sure I wasn’t dying.

When I saw her last week, I’ve never seen her smile that much! I think she’s happier than I am that I’m feeling so well! Over the years, I’ve never blamed her for my flare-ups, and I’ve tried to reassure her that I’ve never held against her the fact that my Crohn’s has been stubbornly persistent. She looked at me, saw my weight on the chart, and I thought she was going to shout! She did bring me down a little by saying that I have to have a colonoscopy in a month, but I think we can make it through just that one day. She even said I don’t have to drink barium if the test comes out clear! Finally! A happy doctor! And a happy patient too!