In my last post I wrote about how uncomfortable I was approaching my GI doc regarding his colleague's diagnosis, which I believed was wrong (I saw the colleague because my doc was out of the office). The problem I was experiencing wasn't critical, so this was no life-threatening matter, but I wanted to see what could be done to treat it because I was so uncomfortable.
The other doc said I needed to undergo a four-hour (and I'm sure, pretty expensive) procedure to confirm his diagnosis. But I didn't think his diagnosis was on-point and wasn't willing to spend the money on the procedure. Still, I was concerned about not following doctor's orders.
I saw my doc when he returned to the office and he concurred that I didn't need to undergo the procedure because the presumed diagnosis didn't seem exactly right. Ha! So there - I could be a doctor!
Crowing aside, I'm dismayed at my reaction - after all this time and all my experiences with healthcare professionals over the past six years, I'd like to think that I would be more comfortable and confident when asserting my opinion, even when it isn't the same as the doctor's. But I wasn't. How can I be a good self-advocate in light of this realization? It gives me much food for thought.
Photo by Sasha Dunaevski
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