I have been pretty hard on doctors and all
the tests and medicines they make you take plus all the waiting in their
offices you have to do to see them. I don't know how many doctors I
have seen in the past 10 years but I figure about 43. Without the
doctor, and the nurses, not to forget the medics who took me to the
hospital, I wouldn't have survived my congestive heart failure. Two
years ago I was saved by a cardiac thoracic surgeon who replaced my
aorta valve, He was the 4th or 5th doctor I've 'fired' but that's for
later.

A year ago I met
my pulmonary doctor and he impressed from the very beginning asking
smart questions, not rushing through the exam, wanting to hear my point
of view, He was the first doctor who went by other tests that other
doctors had me take and the first doctor who said unless I had an
emergency he would see me in a year!

I've had 3 super
primary doctors over the past 14 years but have had a hard time finding a
good nose, ear and throat medic that is covered by my insurance. I have
been going to the same dentist since 1979 and he is great. My first
cardiologist was strange in the sense he was only concerned at hard I
laughed at his jokes which weren't funny. He also gave me more tests
than any other doctor. There was the vascular surgeon who didn't care if
he was 3 hours behind in his appointments. The second time he did that I
'fired' him and since have had a great vascular surgeon who does a lot
of his out patient work in his office including putting a stent in my leg last year and I
see him next week for an ultra sound, again in his office.

Going back to that first doctor I
fired--though he did an excellent job as a surgeon his follow through/up
caused me a lot of problems.  He didn't give me any warning about the
depression and anxiety I, most like heart surgery patients, would go
through for almost 6 months. He, also, did not prescribe rehabilitation
which would have hastened my recovery. I would not use him again.

Of the current 9
doctors I see each year I really like 4 of them, have no problem with 4 of them and, desperately
need to change the 9th one. I
thought I was crazy but after talking to a few people on the breezeway I
am not the only one having a hard time finding a good dermatologist!!!
We went through a batch we had all been to and agreed they all left a
lot to be desired.  I'm still looking.

I don't know many
people who enjoy, or look forward to, going to doctors but I have
learned they are, or are going to be,  an important part of your life
and you have to believe, have confidence in them so, yes, shop around
and don't hesitate to fire a doctor if you aren't comfortable with them. There are good, caring,
concerned doctors waiting/wanting to take care of you so don't settle
for second best.

A quote from today's paper; "The average
person starts to have cardiovascular, skeletal and associated
neurological disorders by the age of 58." Doesn't that make you feel
better?

Last, but not least, remember it
is the practice of sex and they are practicing on you!!!