New Endocrinologist- Again

I did see the new endocrinologist in May and she seems much better than the one I saw when we first moved here. She even has another MEN2a patient! It was exciting to hear (in that morbid sort of way) that the kids and I aren't the only MENnies in this area.

She had me do a blood draw for calcitonin, TSH, intact PTH, Vitamin D, B-12, calcium, and something else I can't remember. I just had all this done in February but I can understand her wanting fresh results for her own records. Besides, I'm so use to blood draws at this point that it doesn't bother me at all anymore.

The calcitonin came back pretty much the same as before which is good, my TSH levels are good as usual, my intact PTH was actually close to normal for once so that was exciting, calcium was really good, and the only problems were with B-12 and magnesium. Dr TE just told me to try taking a daily vitamin and see if that helps.

I'm very glad I listened to Dr. M and made an appointment with this endocrinologist because she seems like the kind that cares and will listen but also knows what she's doing and can take control of your care if need be. I like knowing that she knows about MEN2a and will know what's going on with me.

Now all I have to do is find a new rheumatologist (because of Dr Jerk I've been weary of going to another one) and maybe look into an oncologist again.

Insurance Companies Suck Too

I filed a formal complaint with our insurance company (Lovelace Health) on Dr. Jerk Rheumatologist in hopes that they would actually look into it. Of course, I was wrong. All they did was have one of their people go to Dr. Jerk, ask him if he "fired" me, he told them "no", and that was it. They believed him and basically told me too get bent. :(

He of course didn't write down in his notes what he said to me so he was able to lie his way out of the whole thing even though Dr. M said the notes that were sent to him basically stated Dr. Jerk was finished with me! They didn't bother to ask Dr. M any questions. Of course, why would they because then it would mean they were actually doing something.

That creep sat there, looked me in the eye and said... and I quote-

Jerk- "Well we won't need to see you again unless something new comes up"
Me- "So what does that mean? So I don't make anymore follow up appointments?"
Jerk- "No, there's nothing more I can do for you. Okay, so you don't even need to go by the window on your way out. Good-bye"

That is exactly how the conversation went and that jerk lied his ass off when questioned! I know he's ignorant but it's upsetting to know that Lovelace Health doesn't care about their customers either.

I sat in my van and cried for TWO HOURS because of that asshole and when I file a complaint I pretty much get told just to shove it! Nice, I'm very happy to know that each month money is being taken out of my husband's paycheck to pay for insurance through this company!

Until some of these doctors pull their heads out of their pompous asses we as patients are damned if we do and damned if we don't.

I had an appointment with a new oncologist that I cancelled when I received the insurance company's stupid letter. I'm just not going to do it anymore. I'm finished. They win. I'm through being a good girl and going to all these doctors just to get treated like dirt because they think they know it all.

Unless you are a doctor that specializes in MEN2a and/or medullary thyroid cancer then you don't know even a quarter as much as I or most other MENnies I know do. WE study more than just a chapter on it. WE live it every day of our lives. WE are the ones who do the research while you sit back in your chair with that smug look on your face bluffing your way through our appointment. WE educate ourselves to understand this because doctors like YOU could care less.

It's because of YOU that most of us have been through botched surgeries, problems with medications, scary trips to the ER, and left in pain. It's because YOU think you are the be all end all. Here's a little truth to shove down your cocky self-righteous throats... you don't know squat! You know nothing and your manners with patients suck even worse than your attitude! But hey, what do you care? No matter what you get your money and isn't that all it's really about for you? It surely isn't because you want to help people. Every single one of you doctors with your heads up your asses make me sick!

To the doctors who truly care, who actually listen, and who give us even just a little respect and credit for knowing what we're talking about as well... Thank you. Thank you from me and my children. You are too few and far between which is a shame. Knowing you are there though helps people like me not just give up hope. Thank you for that.

Thank you to Dr. Jennifer Lawrence for crying when she gave me the MEN2a results on my children. Thank you for caring for them during our search for a ped endo. Thank you for trying to talk me out of going to Tampa for my surgeries. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.

Thank you to Dr. Samuel Wells for all the phone calls two years ago when we were trying to figure out if I was eligible for the study. You always cared first and foremost about how the kids and I were doing and even when we knew that I couldn't be in the study you still cared. That meant alot.

Thank you to Brad Ridge the PA at Valdosta Family Medicine Associates PC. If it wasn't for you who knows when the MEN2a and cancer would have been found. You literally saved mine and my childrens' lives and for that I am forever thankful. Being upset over a pregnancy test seems so silly now. ;)

Thank you to Dr. Christian Meuli for always listening to my ideas, thoughts, and suggestions. Thank you for letting me be a part of my healthcare. It's because of you that I stand up for myself and my kids with other doctors. It's because of you I know we deserve great care. Thank you for that.

I know that anytime someone Googles any of those names they will be led to this blog and hopefully they will read about the great care providers I listed. If only there were more doctors like these in the world it would make things so much better for us and them both. Of course, if all doctors were like them then I couldn't say how special they are now could I? ;)

Okay, Scratch That

I was in love with the blog title "Life's A Faught" until the teenager came up to me, read it, and then turned to me and said "Mom, you DO know that it sounds like someone saying Life's A Fart in a New England accent right?"

And ever since all I can think is "life's a faught...life's a fart". UGH.

So I'm just going to go with what I had planned on calling it which is Cancer Is The "Easy" Part... It's Everything Else That Is Killing Me!!

Enjoy and I promise, no more yo-yo blog titling. ;)