When I got out of hospital, I did some internet searching for all things Cushing’s related. I found the Cushing’s Help and Support forums. On there are lots of people who have been affected by Cushing’s, and it’s full of their stories and experiences. What struck me was the number of doctors out there who were, let’s just say, less than stellar. I know that there are different qualities and types of doctors out there, because I had a few of them.
I eventually found my current endocrinologist, and I love him. This post is a thank you to him, and a reminder to everyone out there having shitty experiences that there are some incredible doctors out there. There are lots of reasons why I love my endocrinologist, but I’m just going to give three here.
1. When I went to get an MRI, he gave me a letter to give to the MRI people saying I needed the scans urgently. He told me to not leave without the scans and to go and see him straightaway. Throughout the entire diagnostic process, he told me when to make appointments with him, regardless of his actual schedule.
2. When I got the test results for the inferior petrosal sinus sampling, they weren’t what we were expecting – they showed the ACTH coming from the right side of the pituitary gland, when the MRI scan showed the tumour on the left (or it might have been the other way around? I just know it was the wrong side). He called me after I left his office just to reassure me and tell me that things would be fine.
3. I saw him a week and a half ago with more problems. These were problems not within his specialty, so he wrote a name down on a piece of paper and said, “See this guy. You’ll like him. I’ll send you a referral letter if you need one”. I tracked down the guy, found that I did need a referral (which I suspected – I’ve never heard of a specialist not needing one), left him a message last Friday asking him to send me a referral letter. I received a referral letter today.
I love my endocrinologist for being reliable, patient, efficient, funny, kind and so willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help his patients. I don’t know if I’ll stay in Sydney forever, but I think that no matter where I am, if I need an endo, I’m going to make a trip back just for him.
I enjoyed your post. I’m so glad you were fortunate enough to find such a wonderful Endocrinologist. Truly a blessing! A lot of us are struggling to find one like that, to help us in our Cushing’s diagnosis. I am currently waiting to see an Endo here in Canada, where good “Cushing’s-Friendly” Endos are hard to find. I was told the wait will be 4-6months. I’m hoping he will be worth the wait!
By: Bev on November 2, 2009
at 11:38 pm
Yes, its really great that you have a supportive endo that believed you. I might be having to make a trip there myself soon. A few weeks ago I had an uneventful meeting with a new endo after waiting 4 months. The only blood test she ran was testing Vitamin D because she thought I was taking too much. Turns out I was still deficient so going up to 6 tablets a day. Also told that I don’t have PCOS but she’s not looking into any other possibilities for all my symptoms. Just recommended seeing a dietician. Very frustrating.
By: Becky O on November 3, 2009
at 6:15 pm
Hello Jennnigan,
I am very happy to have found your article. I am looking for the best endo in Sydney and you obviously found the one.
Would you please, please, send me his name?
Hope to hear from you soon as I am really unwell and need help.
Cheers,
Helena
By: Helena on July 19, 2011
at 9:53 am