Newtus: Your pdoc is a top notch *****. To tell you to blend your food... wow! Is there any way you can switch to a new pdoc? I know your area there isn't a lot of options. But, really, it's super important to find a pdoc on your side and that works with you. That's true of any doctor. I won't go see a doctor again if I feel they are pushing their agenda on me or don't take me seriously as a human being. I once had an OB with my first son. I saw her one time. I told her I wanted to do natural child birth called the Bradley Method. And she said to me, "That method is for farm animals. You're not a farm animal, are you?" I never went back to her. I found a lovley group of OBs and midwives who treated me with respect instead.

I think pdocs are like all docs. Some of them have that god complex. They think they know it all. I work with a lot of doctors and some are pompus jerks, some are so dumb you wonder how the hell they got through med school and it scares you that they are in charge of people's health, and then there are those that really do care and those the best doctors.

I think the most responsible thing is to make a "doctor interview." Write down a bunch of questions about things that are important to you. Then, before you make an actual appointment, have an "interview" appointment and see how they do. You may not find one that's perfect 100% but you can least find someone who fits you better.

Gr3tta: I'm glad you like your new co-worker. That's good news! I'm glad you like working with the patients. We have a few patients who have dementia. We have one whose husband thinks she just needs to try harder and she'll "get over it." He sends her out driving and everything on her own... When she makes an appointment she usually calls 5-6 times before (forgetting her appointment is made,) and then even after sometimes wondering if she forgot to come. It's really, really heartbreaking to see.

Kureha: That's so cool you got that CD! Pretty awesome.

Medicalfox: I'm sorry about your pet. I hope it's not cancer and something easily treated.