Doctors

So many doctors so little time having multiple sclerosis means having multiple doctors as well.  I didn't even have a GP when I started to have my symptoms.  Of course I had an  OB/G YN during my pregnancy, but I could hardly return to them   for deafness in my ear!  I usually just went to a walk-in clinic -- I called them a doc-in-the-box -- if I had something like a sore throat.  Now I  have a neurologist, a dermatologist, a GP, a gynecologist, an oncologist, an ophthalmologist and I've even been to a urologist!  It is so scary that I am  on a first name basis with their office staff.  I'm one of those folks who doesn't have to check in.  I just waved at the office staff and they say  he  will  be  with you in a minute.  And then we chitchat on my way out.
I have met other people who have MS who simply see their GP.  I love my GP.  She's wonderful and very smart.  But I frequently educate her regarding the MS medications.  I think that a neurologist is crucial for proper treatment for MS.
My first neurologist was Dr. Kovaleski.  Once he realized that I was of moderate intelligence, I think he actually enjoyed having me as a patient.  He would give me the usual MS once over; check my reflexes, watch me walk, ask me about new symptoms;  And then he would start to talk to me about his own issues!  He would say, "you know I'm sort of worried about my daughter...".  Some days I thought I should charge him!  He had five daughters and one of them was my physical therapist.  I told her about his digressions with me.  She laughed and said it means he really likes you!
Dr. Kovaleski eventually semi-retired to Galena where he is now a sleep specialist.  My clinic must be the neurology group of weird names, because my choices for a new neurologist were either Dr. Misra or Dr. Katznelson.  I picked Dr. Katznelson because he was available on Fridays which might seem a little arbitrary but sometimes choices are made for convenience!  Dr. Kovaleski was a tall Catholic men and came across a little like an absent-minded Professor.  Dr. Katznelson is a short Jewish man who is very intellectual and likes to use big words.  Once I told him I get extra tired after a meal and he said I had postprandial fatigue... but my favorite Katznelson story is not about his words.  Once I wrote down an appointment with him in my book on two separate lines:  Katz on one and Nelson on another.  I always get appointments at strange times like 9:25 or 10:20.  Since my handwriting is so illegible, and the appointments are scheduled at least three months in advance, when I saw that appointment later, I couldn't figure out who Kate Nelson was.  And when I had her written down and why I had her written down at such specific time.. so now I called Dr. Katznelson Kate Nelson.  I think he's a little annoyed.
I also have to see a dermatologist because the medication I'm on, tysabri, has a very slight risk of increasing your chances of getting melanoma.  So once a year or so I have to go to her for a full body check.  She loves to cut stuff off of me.  I have lost more moles and skin tags and I ever knew I had.  She must have gone to medical school with Dr. Katznelson.  Dr. Katznelson's first name is Ian and she always asking about him but she calls him Eye-an.  Which I think is kind of funny.  Her office is in this place in Glenview called The Glen.  It used to be an old naval base at was converted into an office/shopping center and it is very ritzy and upscale.  She is one of those doctors who although very nice just strikes me as a little bit distant and more interested in income and in her patients.  The neurologist clinic is very down to earth and unostentatious.  You can learn a lot about your doctor's bedside manner and how comfortable and connected you feel when you go to their office.  I always feel like I am a little inconvenience in to the dermatologist staff.
My oncologist, Dr. Rose, who administers my medication is a very sweet wonderful man who always asks me what I'm reading on my Kindle and what I'm doing for the holidays and things like that.  He thinks I'm smart, also, and talks to me intellectually.  My ophthalmologist likes to talk to me about philosophy and history and esoteric subjects like that.
Doctors are an interesting breed.

That's enough for today.  See you tomorrow with more fabulous insights about MS!