Andy

I Return, Haggard but Alive

My appointment today with Dr. Shor was about what I expected, with perhaps a little more emphasis on tests and a little less on in-depth conversation. I now have lab work to get done of course, and have to return for a morning appointment in a few weeks, which will just trash me utterly if history is any judge.

Today's appointment raised to a head an issue I have been wrestling with for a while now. I really don't believe that doctors consider the stresses on their patients when engaging in the business of medicine. Using today as an example, had Dr. Shor's office had the foresight and put forth a little effort, I could have had this lab work already completed locally and had it shipped to the specific destinations specified by the office. I could have had the EKG anywhere, and had physical results done at Hopkins even and sent to Reston, VA without my ever showing up in Reston. Not surprisingly, Dr. Shor had little to discuss today given that he only passingly knows anything about me, so why not schedule an appointment with all of the data readily available? I do not write this with the intent to call any particular attention to Dr. Shor or his office, but rather to illustrate the pervasive attitude towards CFS and similar conditions by the health community at large. With a modicum of effort and likely no monetary cost (let's face it, they don't take insurance anyway - today was $474 I believe), most if not any office could make the entire process a great deal easier on those of us suffering from fatiguing illnesses.