I went to see my new headache specialist about a week and a half ago, and the appointment went incredibly well. I posted about it on the MMC forums if you'd like to read the full story; I don't have the energy to recap it here again.
I was so impressed with the doctor and his staff that I wrote him a thank you card, which I will be dropping in the mail tomorrow. This is what I wrote to him:
Dear Dr Elliott,
On May 21, I came to your office for my first visit, in my ongoing search for treatment for my chronic migraines. You are the third doctor I've seen in the Seattle area since February 2007, but the first I have felt the need to thank.
From the first time I spoke on the phone with your office staff, I felt truly welcomed and respected as a patient and person. Everyone I have spoken to at Virginia Mason has been courteous, polite and caring - more so than I've seen anywhere else. At my appointment, your staff made me feel very comfortable in an otherwise anxiety-producing situation. And they smile!
You and I spent an hour discussing all of my history, symptoms and concerns during my appointment. You took the time to answer all of my questions and explain anything I didn't understand.
For the first time, I feel a renewed sense of hope that together, we can work to find an effective treatment regimen and I can live my life again.
So thank you for your thoughtfulness and compassion. It is all too rare to find a doctor willing to work with his patients as equal partners, and even rarer to find one with such an excellent staff.
While it still may take some time to find an effective treatment for my migraines, I now feel confident it is possible. Thank you for renewing my sense of hope, and please thank your staff for me as well.
Sincerely,
MJ
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Nice MJ! I'm glad that after having time to mull it over, you still feel confident that this doctor is going to be the one you stick with.
I'm sure he/she enjoyed the little thank you note. I bet they don't get as much thanks as they should in their field.
I wish you continued sucess with this new plan!
Thanks, Eileen! I do feel it's important to recognize a doctor and his staff when they do a good job. It's so rare these days - it shouldn't be, but it is. I want to make sure he knows he and his staff are appreciated.
Now, if I can just get my head to behave better I'll be a very happy camper indeed!
-MJ
Post a Comment