Liaison

Snowy days call for outdoor yoga practice. 

My day today is all about phone calls and filling out forms. 

Sometimes being the complicated patient means also being the liaison between specialists. 

Communication is not always easy when it comes to doctors from various offices and specialties. Not all of the information is easily accessible and it may involve various consent forms to release records to other physicians. 

It's not really a huge deal, it just takes time. Most complicated, though, is that it means that there are often 'too many cooks in the kitchen'. One doctor will interpret results in one way and another will interpret them differently. There can be differences of opinion and even power struggles. Navigating the politics that is healthcare can be horrendously difficult. It is easy to forget that they really are trying to give me the best care possible. 

It may become frustrating and seem rather difficult, and even confusing, to be asked to bridge the gap in communication, especially when the two doctors work in the same hospital, but I just remind myself that if it makes it easier for them, then they'll be more inclined to help. The more helpful I can be, the less time it will take for them to come to an agreement about my care.

That's the hope at least. 

Being a patient with several chronic illnesses often means interpreting what doctors are thinking, being a communication liaison, and keeping concise records about treatment plans and conversations. They are all connected, and yet they are quite disconnected simultaneously. 

Very much looking forward to the holiday week.