- Share This Post
- Pin It
- 0
- 1
-
Sparkle (0)
We all want a doctor that we can trust. Someone with a good beside manner who sees you as a person rather than just a patient.
That's why, seven years after moving to San Diego, I still drove to Los Angeles to see my gynecologist. Dr. Sigall was always kind, caring and understanding. He never rushed or pushed. And he never did anything besides his specialty of delivering babies and making women feel comfortable in his office.
Eventually, however, the drive to L.A. became unbearable, and Dr. Sigall suggested I find someone in San Diego. I agreed, and after trying a few doctors that I didn't really care for, I settled on Dr. Karen Lee.
Dr. Lee came highly recommended. She had three kids of her own, was only few years older than me, and could relate to the changes I was going through. She didn't come across as very warm or personable, but she seemed like a good doctor. So every year I dutifully went to Dr. Lee for my annual exam, and every year I felt that she really didn't know who I was.
As my daughters got older, they also became Dr. Lee's patients. A few years back she diagnosed one of them with PCOS, and the nurse called me to say that my 16-year old daughter (who was not sexually active) needed to go on the pill. When I asked to speak to the doctor, the nurse politely informed me that I needed to make an appointment if I wanted to discuss it further. Determined not to put my daughter on the pill, I opted for alternative medicine, and was able to resolve her issues without unnecessary hormones.
Fast-forward to last month, when I once again scheduled my annual appointment with Dr. Lee. Only this time I had to see Dr. Lee's nurse practitioner if I wanted to come in this month. Since it was just a routine checkup, I really didn't mind. What I did mind was that every visit was becoming more about cosmetic procedures and less about "women's issues." The office was filled with glycolic creams and slick brochures on peels, facials, laser hair removal, and all kinds of cosmetic procedures. Everywhere you turned someone asked if you had booked your cosmetic appointment. Not the least bit interested, I got my exam, received my prescription for a mammogram, and went on my way.
Imagine my shock when a few days later I received a call from the imaging center saying they had found some abnormalities and wanted me to come back for more testing. Can you say freaky? Scary? Trying to keep my cool, I decided not to tell my husband
