Being humble

[Hamptons]

Yesterday, I saw my rheumatologist. An appointment that I had moaned about because I had found out face to face clinics were open by accident. Moaned at the inconvenience to me, then annoyed as bloods that I had done had not been processed/sent to her in time for the appointment which meant she did not have an up to date picture, which was annoying as I was in a flare when I did them. Urghhh moan moan.

I saw my doctor, who I recognise from these pages I am blessed to have. She is efficient in her care, thorough in her examination and genuinely listens. She is impactful in her actions and my appointments always lead to positive change. Something I forget.

She was as ever efficient and supportive re Long Covid, far more informative than GP. Which made me stop and pause and realise why.

This last year she has been on the wards every day for 8 months, treating patients for an illness that last January the world knew nothing about. She has treated colleagues, and supported friends and family who have had Covid. She believes she had Covid but had no antibodies to show this - as many of us don’t. For one brief moment she looked brittle, a hint of the vulnerable human under the efficient doctor. We forget the doctors have seen incredible death rates, treated patients blindly with little resources and did this every long day. She expressed her frustration at the waiting lists, her patients that she has not been able to treat and the consequences for them. She does care about her patients but had to go on the wards this year. A place I sense she hopes never to return to.

This hospital had horrific Covid rates at one time and was investigated for hygiene measures. So it has been tough. As I walked out thanking everyone as I was the last patient of the day, everyone smiled and wished me goodnight. Every member of staff I walked past smiled or nodded as masks don’t allow much for smiles.

And I left humbled.

[Cathyan]

What a beautiful post Hamptons. Thank you for posting. NHS staff are pretty well burnt out but still they do the best they can. I only hope we're not heading into another wave that takes the rheumatologists away from us again.

[KayHimm]

Thank you for offering this perspective. We have all been so affected by this pandemic. It is easy to lose sight of the scars left on the medical staff who have worked the emergency rooms, in-patient units and ICUs.

A friend of mine had put in for retirement after many years as a pediatric ICU doctor only to end his career wondering whether he had the mental acuity and stamina to work in a city hospital that was overwhelmed with Covid patients. I often thought his retirement could end in death.

How do we thank these people?

Thank you for an important reminder.

[StriatedCaracara]

This is a lovely mail, and has made me think about things differently in relation to dealing with GPs too. It helped yesterday when I had an appointment. Thanks

[CecilyParsley]

What a fabulous Doctor you have, a real blessing. It is so inspiring to see Doctors like yours who recognise the human cost of Covid and appreciate the impact on their patients.

[Krazykat26]

Thank you for this post Hamptons 🤗 can I join you in a slice of humble pie? I had a letter recently cancelling dermy appt scheduled for August..the new date for telephone consultation is December!! I was fuming but to be fair I am on treatment and I can manage.

Thank you for sharing this experience with us n reminding us that whist we've been sheilding in the UK the doctors n indeed everyone else has been battling covid whilst we've been stuck indoors 🌈😽😽xx

[Barbara17]

It’s so nice to read of a positive experience. Funnily enough I left a message for my dermatologist earlier this week as I am struggling on the 20mg dose of mtx. She phoned me back at 4pm today, agreed to lower my dose, emailed my (not particularly helpful) GP practice and I’ve just had a call back from them at 6pm to say the new prescription is going over to the pharmacy tonight. I am flabbergasted! But very grateful.