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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Land O' Pleasant Livin'
Posts: 1,660
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Land O' Pleasant Livin'
Posts: 1,660
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I Almost Had to Go Searching, Again !
MY DOCTOR (PCP), IS MOVING HER PRACTICE -
AND TAKING ONLY A FEW PATIENTS WITH HER ! 
I came close to losing her, but
I am one! 
I went for a follow up visit this week and my doc said that
she no longer would be treating patients at the present
johns Hopkins Family Practice.
Patients would be assigned to other doctors. 
She asked me if I would be OK with that, I said that it would be a
great blow to my health care, given the relationship we had
and the understanding that both of us have developed over the years.
Breaking in a new doc would be difficult at best. 
I also asked he what she thought about it, and she agreed. 
She wanted to continue to follow thru with my treatment,
if I wouldn't mind -at times- being seen by a resident
(but still under her care & available when necessary).
She is cutting back her practice and devoting more time to her professorship,
teaching, and some research.
Would I mind traveling a bit farther to her other JHH practice,
on the other side of town -
(currently, she is 5 mins. from me) -about 25-30 mins thru traffic.
I said I'd follow her into the next county, if she'd let me. 
She said I'd be getting a letter soon, & to call the phone # immediately
to set up a first appt. This is to be sure that I get on the sect'y's patient list,
and be assigned to her.
Whew !!!!!
It almost became 7 (or more) docs in 10 years !
(6 in the 1st 4 years since my Dx)
Having a doc that empathizes (a close friend of hers, an MD - has PN)
and is like a friend that you can talk to, discuss things, give print-outs (liza jane's worksheets) and articles to.....that accepts you as an equal, and wishes to alleviate your pain and help with your general overall health...that doesn't have an overbearing god-like complex.......... is hard to find.
She's a 'keeper' and I'd follow her anywhere I could.
I'm fortunate she feels she wants me to continue as a patient.
How many docs would be willing and even eager,
to get rid of those of us with PN ?
Most, I think.
This would be a good way cross us off their patient lists.
She's not that kind of person, fortunately.
I have often said, repeatedly- that it is imperative that those of us with PN,
find docs that have experience with PN. Docs that LISTEN to us,
and not disclaim our thoughts, feelings & symptoms.
That is so important to the way we can hope to try to
live normally with this affliction.
With help. With those who will help us, & want to help us.
It'll be well worth the trip,
even with the cost of gas going up ! 
__________________
Bob B
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