AMAZON

Thursday, December 11, 2008

I Like Dr. Mike

After all I put into Tuesday’s blog post, I thought that I was drained of inspiration for a while. But this morning I wrote an email to a dear friend and discovered that I am not drained of words! I can still write emails containing 700+ words, so I can write a blog post. Right?

The following is what I consider to be a neat experience that I shared with my friend in this morning’s email and that I want to share with you.

Yesterday I was visited by a physician! For months I have been trying to locate a doctor who was on the Humana Medicare providers list and not terribly far from me. All the ones on the list (a very big book) that were relatively close I discovered were “not taking new patients.” But in November I received an updated list and discovered a physicians’ group had been added since the last list that is literally around the corner from my house.

It took a couple of days to reach their “new patient” intake clerk/scheduler. When I did, it turned out that I know her; the scheduler, Heather, used to work for Home Instead, the people who employee Tasha. It is a very small world!

After providing the insurance data to Heather and after the appointment was scheduled, I asked about to the location of their office and learned the unbelievable (for me, anyway): the physician comes to my home rather than me going to his office!

So yesterday I met the doc!

His named is Mike. He is the founder and president of the practice, which is named MD2U—Doctors Who Make House Calls. He was great and not having to drive to and wait in a doctor’s office was superb for me.

Dr. Mike gave me a pretty good physical, right here in my library! He wrote me prescriptions for two of the pieces of medical equipment that that I have long wanted: a wheel hair for when I go out so I don’t have to walk long distances (like the quarter mile or so across the parking lot of the VA Medical Center) and a lift chair so that I can sit on something other than straight-back kitchen chairs that, after a while, give me pain my back and cut off the circulation in my legs.

I like Mike!!! Not only because he comes to my home, but also because it’s grand to have a physician who actually looks at me and talks to me and doesn’t just stare at a computer screen.

41 comments:

  1. That's great Nick! I hope you get a cool wheelchair with machine guns and bazookas, though.

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  2. After all those years of jumping through hoops, I'm glad something finally came easily for you!

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  3. Wow, what a great stroke of luck, Mr. Nick! A doctor who makes house calls. Wish we had one of those around here.

    Hugs and blessings,

    Renie

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  4. Yay for such discoveries that make life tolerable!!

    During the last couple years of my husband's life, every thing that gave one or both of us a bit of relief was met with open arms and wide smiles. And occasionally a tear or two. I understand this quite well. :)

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  5. Good news should always be shared! This is very good news. As someone above mentioned I wonder if we could send you some super reflector tags for the wheel chair! How cool would that be!
    It's nice when people genuinely want to make others lives easier! Well done Dr. Mike! I think I quite like you too! :o)

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  6. That's fantastic news Nick, I'm so pleased for you.

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  7. Wow, doctors who make house calls still exist?? - That's AWESOME!
    Glad you found one you like! =)

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  8. That is great news nick!! it's nice that it worked out finally and you will be getting some better care by the sounds lf it! I think i like mike too ;)

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  9. Wow! A Doctor that makes house calls. I thought we were lucky when we moved to find a really good Doctor just a half mile from the house. I am really happy for you.

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  10. He sounds really great! I didn't think ANY doctor made house calls anymore.

    www.silverneurotic.weebly.com

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  11. I'm so glad that you found a doctor that you like AND who makes house calls!

    What a relief to finally and easily get what you need.

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  12. Mike Golch: Thank you. I feel that I can now see some hope in getting my medical problems solved. BTW, “Mike/Michael” is the doc’s middle name; all I know about his first name is that it begins with “J.” Still, I think Mike is a neat name!

    Malnurtured Snay : It’s good to hear from you, your Snayness! I think I’ll stick to a simple wheelchair. My only requirements are that it’s foldable and will comfortable hold my fat ass.

    Thomas: You are so right. I am already dreaming of sitting in a comfortable chair and reading without getting pain in my back and legs. If I can, later today I am going to the medical supply store and determine if I can afford one. From what I understand, Medicare will pay for the lift apparatus but I must pay for the chair itself.

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  13. Renie: Yes, it was luck that I found MD2U! I did not know that such doctors existed. Since Dr. Mike is listed on his business card as “founder and president,” I assume that this type of medical practice may expand to other locations. That would be great!

    Lynilu: I’ve been trying to find the smiles and humor is life’s situations for years. Sometimes that just ain’t easy! For example, at the moment Alex the furball is outside on the porch and I have the door open to make sure he doesn’t go catting around and get in another cat fight. It is cold outside and the cold coming through the door is chilling me. But, I smile knowing that Alex is happy being outside at night again and that I can keep an eye on him.

    Ah! Alex just wandered in, so I can close the door! BTW, Alex walked straight past me and is now sitting on a furnace register to get warm. Silly cat!

    Daffy: Thank you! Yes, it is good news for me. I don’t think I’ll have any extras on the wheel chair; the idea is just to get me from the car to places so that I don’t have to endure the pain of walking. That includes shopping and restaurants and I’m looking forward to the again enjoying those experiences.

    My mother has a motorized wheelchair on which someone stuck a horn. That’s probably an excellent idea because she has never been a very safe driver.

    Yep, Dr, Mike is a neat young man.

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  14. Akelamalu : Yes, it is! I’m feeling hopeful and even excited about the future!

    Lil Bit : I’m not sure that doctors who make house calls still exist or if they have begun to exist again. It may be the wave of the future. I talked to Dr. Mike about his office and his overheard for office space and furniture is about 20% of what it would be if he had a more “traditional” practice where patients come to him. To me, that sounds like a huge savings!


    Xmichra: Thank you! I think that I shall find Dr. Mike more than able to deal with my health needs. Who knows, I may even get healthier!

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  15. Dr.John: Thank you! I was actually seeking a physician close to my house when I contacted MD2U. Their office is about 3 blocks from me—literally just around the corner!

    Silverneurotic : I think the idea of physicians making house call is fantastic, not the least because I find waiting in doctors’ offices tedious.


    Carol: Thank you! I’m actually looking forward to a future of (hopefully) regaining my health—or as much of it as I can.

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  16. Can you clone Dr Mike? I reckon we could do with several hundred of him here.

    However, I'm so happy to hear that life will be a little easier for you Nick. All things come to those who wait, and wait, and wait...

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  17. This is really great news, Nick. Very encouraging for you and a very positive outlook too.

    It is indeed a small world. If only it was a peaceful one.

    CJ xx

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  18. I love hearing good news!

    Dr. Mike sounds like very good news!

    I hope it all works out fine.

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  19. Looks like Christmas came early for you my dear!

    It's nice to know there are still doctors that care. We saw a very nice one this week that basically gave us completely different advice concerning Chicklet's stomach bug and took the time to run a test to rule other things out.

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  20. This is wonderful news, Nick. Think how many oxygen bottles these few changes will save.

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  21. So rare to find a healthcare pro who actually listens these days. Happy for you!

    Tagged you with a meme on my blog today. Let me know if you have time to tell me more about you during this busy holiday season.

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  22. Reading this brought tears to my eyes. What splendid news, Nick. A doctor that cares is an invaluable find.

    Big hugs,
    Laurie

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  23. What a novel approach to medical care! Glad you had a good experience with your physical.

    Have a great weekend!

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  24. I have started reading all the blogs of the faithful post"ers" to Mark's blog. What a great thing for you! Amazing that the doctor will come to you. There are great people left in ths world, and I have become aware of all those around me. I'll be checking in on you periodically. My prayers for you for continued blessings in your care.

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  25. Puss-in-Boots: I would love to be able to clone Dr. Mike and share him with the world! I gree completely: all (good) things come to those who wait, and wait, and wait...


    Crystal Jigsaw: Yes, it is a very small world. And what I can’t understand is, with its smallness, why we cannot be a peace with our neighbors.

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  26. China Girl: Yep! Dr. Mike and those like him are very good news! I am especially glad, not only for my well-being, but because I have made a commitment to myself to post only good news during this Advent/Christmas period.


    Anndi: You are so right: Christmas has come early for me this year! I am glad that you, too, had an early Christmas blessing by finding the doc who dealt so well with Chicklet's stomach bug. I hope the little one is doing fine.

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  27. Squirl: You are so right! I have thought about the oxygen savings and how much I would rather use those bottles of oxygen ro visit a church, museum, theater, etc. than for waiting in a doctor’s office!


    Jessica: Thank you! I agree 100%: it is very atypical to encounter a healthcare pro who actually listens these days. I’ll soon be by to look at that meme!

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  28. Laurie: I, too, could have cried with joy if crying were part of my modus operandi in such situations! As it was I have been smiling a lot, even whistling and singing!

    Jennifer: Thank you! It was a great experience for me and has restored in me a sort of optimism in the future of my well-being.

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  29. Enola: Yes! Mike’s visit was a great gift, almost as if I had welcomed an angel into my home.

    Rebecca: Thank you for dropping by! I can’t express how much Mark and his blog have meant to me or how much I am missing him. I appreciate your prayers; please know than you remain in my daily prayers as we experience and grieve our common loss.

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  30. This is really great news, Pastor Nick. I am so happy that you are getting good care. You have given so much to me and to other people that you deserve the best.

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  31. I beati: Thank you, Sandy! This experience has brought a renewal of faith in the medical system to me as well.

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  32. Joshua in Cannelton: Thank you, dear friend. I am blushing at your words.

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  33. I'm so happy for you! I like Mike too!

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  34. nick, this truly IS a Christmas miracle! not only a doctor who comes to your house, but a dr like dr mike, who talks with you & listens, too!! yay for you & dr mike!!

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  35. Good doctors are a blessing and a true gift. I am so glad for you--one who listens--I finally got one of those!

    BTW, I'm having trouble accessing Alex's page. Tell him I still love him and want to buy his shirt!

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  36. I've always felt that Dr.s making house calls, at least for basic things makes so much more sense. Seems to me that it would be a great way for them to discover important issues in a patients lifestyle, and without a doubt, would eliminate alot of germs and diseases that are spread via a crowded waiting room !!! He sounds fabulous !

    I truly hope his new practice does well and the idea catches on!

    You might wait until the wheel chair arrives before you do the shopping :)
    Take care, Nick

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  37. A truly unique practice for these days!

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  38. We wish we had a Dr. Mike.

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