Adding to My Collection

Some people collect baseball cards, for others it's frogs, I dated one guy who collected everything related to Coke (the beverage in case you were unsure). I seem to collect specialists and medical disorders. I have more medical people and disorders than I have close friends. Now I am not sure what that says about my health or my friendships but I find it positively scary.

A few months ago, my somewhat fatherly physiatrist had a friendly discussion about my unexplained weight loss. No doubt it needed to go, but an explanation was needed. He said I know you have a lot to deal with, but just because you already have a lot of medical issues doesn't make you immune from getting more. We had that discussion in December. Since then I have been diagnosed with medication induced type 2 diabetes and yesterday we added meibomianitis (eye lid margin disease in English). An apparent complication from the RA.

The slippery slope to collecting specialists started gradually. It began with the gastroenterologist who diagnosed my IBS in the mid 90s. It was followed by a rheumatologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a dermatologist, a physiatrist, a pain specialist and yesterday I added an eye surgeon/specialist.

If having all those specialist wasn't enough, I also see a massage therapist and physiotherapist every 2 weeks. I also see an occupational therapist for braces. Then there are the regular medicos like my dentist, optometrist and my GP (who treats my mundane illnesses like asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic sinusitis and migraines and such).

What I haven't mentioned is that I am also experiencing what is known as foot drop with my left foot and my physio has recommended that I be seen by a neurologist. I think I can safely leave it off this list for this month. Until the specialist is assigned and the diagnosis is confirmed they don't count.

So if you have lost track there are 7 specialists, 3 therapists, a dentist, an optometrist and a GP. As for illnesses I have picked up 4 in the last 8 months, and for the total I honestly stopped counting when I got to 10. How's your collection?

Stevi

Join us at AIM-UP Don't go through this Alone!Tess, Maria, Stevi and Laura