All At Once
Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 9:37AM Over the last two week I missed lots of doctor's appointments.
Podiatrist.
Opthamologist.
Cardiologist.
Diabetesologist (my diabetes doctor is not an endo).
With the holiday and work being nutso, I had to cancel them all. It's tough to ask for all the time off for doctors appointments when you have to see so many.
No one else in the office has medical needs like I do and it's almost embarassing to say "I have to go to the doctors." AGAIN!?
I wish I could take a day off and see them all but there is no way to coordinate a day like this since my doctors are all over town! Ultimately I know I have to get in to see them all. And all for very important reasons.
Having neuropathy in my feet makes the Podiatrist appointment a high priority. I have my wife look at my feet every night but there are some issues with the bottoms of my feet and bone structure that we are keeping an eye on.
After the heart issue a few years back, seeing the Cardiologist is a high priority. I need to follow up and see when we need to schedule another stress test and EKG. Dad died of a heart attack at 42 and since that age is coming up for me in a few months, I am wee bit concerned. History repeats and genes and all that jazz.
Mine eyes have seen dialation only several months ago, but my optho saw a minor bleed she had not seen before, so she told to come back real soon to see if its bled more, this is high priority! (that didn't end as strong as I had hoped)
After getting an A1C at a terribly high number, and FINALLY getting a Dexcom sensor in me (thank you Sara!) I need to get in to see my doc. I also showed a high level of cortisol which my doctor is concerned about. He actually wants me to repeat he cortisol test again to be sure there is an issue. It may explain my insulin resistance. This is a high priority.
So what do you do? I have to work. I have to have a job. I cannot take a ton of time off. When these all are hitting at the same time I give up and cancel them all. It's too stressful thinking about it all.
I think today I will call one at a time and schedule them out at least a week apart. I have to have room to breathe. Diabetes and caring for it can be so exhausting.
Regrouping and coming up with a plan helps me to not get stressed out too much.
No stress is a high priority!
Reader Comments (6)
I hear my friend!
I hear you re: diabetes care being totally exhausting and I like the thought of spacing your appointments one week apart to give you some breathing room.
Speaking of breathing, have you thought about yoga or acupuncture.
I used to go to yoga twice a week and I found it to be really helpful re: stress.
I started acupuncture again after 2 shot of cortisone didn't help the tendonitis in my foot this summer.
Acupuncture is really helping with the tendonitis in my foot and I leave there feeling relaxed and stress free and I sleep like a baby for days after.
If either doesn''t sound appealing to you - That's cool. How about scheduling some time to take a walk with your wife and spend time together.
I know she makes you smile and that she's your port in a storm!
Xoxo
Kelly K
I am having the exact same issue. Stress exacerbates the health issues, but needing to take time off work to deal with the health issues exacerbates the stress!
My doctors have been pushing mindfulness (i.e., meditation). I feel silly even saying the word, but it only takes ten minutes a day to have positive benefits and there are no side effects. So I'm trying.
Sending you thoughts of peace and good health.
Man, I was so overwhelmed just reading this. I felt a bit helpless, not sure how I'd approach the same problem. But I think you're on to a solid solution spacing the appointments out like that.
Good thinking, G-Money!
what scott said! <3
So many appointments - I know how that feels. I usually take few days off just to visit them all. Luckily my boss is a great guy so he never complicates when I ask for vacation. Work can wait. Always!
Tim
I totally feel you. I have recently had my endo tell me that if I had to cancel my appt. again, she would drop me as a patient. Well Doc, do whatcha gotta do! I have to work. Her office hours are 7-3. My school hours are 8:30-3:30. Not a lot of option there without me missing work. UGHHH!