Search
Blogabetes

dLife Daily Tips

Do you have hypoglycemic unawareness?

Read More View All Tips

dLife Weekly Poll

Has diabetes made it difficult to get/renew a driver's license?

February 10th, 2012
Category:
Type 1Type 2Oral MedsInsulin & Pumps
ChildrenFoodHighs & LowsRelationships
ComplicationsEmotionsIn the NewsFitness
Women's IssuesMen's IssuesReal Life


I scoured my insurance company's database for an endocrinologist that was neither too far away, whose primary language wasn't something other than English and who got their medical degree from a school I actually recognized.

 

Like I said, I scoured. I got frustrated. Extremely frustrated. I'm in the fifth-largest city in the nation whose population consists of the elderly, Hispanics and a number of Indian groups -- all of whom are especially prone to diabetes. Why isn't there an endo on every stinking corner?!

 

I finally gave up on finding a doctor in network and decided to fork over whatever out-of-network charges my insurance company won't cover for a doctor I'll actually enjoy visiting with.

 

And then Mom told me there's a Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. It's practically in the backyard of my new, amazing job. I poo-pooed the idea of even considering trying to make an appointment. The Mayo Clinic isn't for someone like me, I thought. It's for people who are really, really sick. Appointments are probably six months out anyway.

 

But wait a minute. Why shouldn't I seek out the best possible care for myself? Why shouldn't I seek the expert expert? I shouldn't have to be stuck with a doctor and a treatment method that's mediocre. Sure, there are people who need more attention than I do, but shouldn't we all put ourselves out there to get the best for us? Why shouldn't I at least try to take advantage of the premium care that's available to me?

 

So I called to make an appointment. I was, frankly, a little nervous because I still had that "But I'm not that bad" mentality. I was "pre-screened," given a patient ID number and told that there were no guarantees that the doctors would accept me.

 

I sit and wait now for three to five business days. Just enough time for me to question my decision repeatedly.




Login to rate
Rating (0):
0
Email this Comments (0):: Add a comment

Would you like to comment?

Join dlife for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Sign up for FREE dLife Newsletters

dLife Membership is FREE! Get exclusive access, free recipes, newsletters, savings, and much more! FPO

FPO

Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!

Brenda Bell
Brenda BellBrenda was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes in July 2002. After a rocky start, her diabetes has been diet-controlled since January 2004 and she hopes to keep it that way for as long as possible. (Read More)
Julia
JuliaJulia lives behind the Tofu Curtain, in the Pioneer Valley, in Western Massachusetts. It's a nice place. She likes it there. Her eldest daughter, Olivia, has type 1 diabetes. She's also 13. It's a real toss-up as to which is more difficult -- the diabetes or the teen-age drama. (Read More)
Our Other Bloggers: Nicole Purcell, Carey Potash, Lindsey Guerin, Michelle Kowalski, Megan, MikeDurbin, Robert Hudson, George Simmons, Scott Marvel, Kim Doty, Kerri Sparling,