Last week on Instagram I mentioned having a “pre-game/pre-appointment” ritual.
I would say everybody has things they do to prepare for the regular things in their lives such as work, school, meals, or whatever it may be. One of my regular things in life happens to be doctor’s appointments.
Going to the doctor frequently comes with the territory of having multiple chronic illnesses.
In June, I set a personal record of going to over 35 doctor’s appointments. At this point in my journey, I would safely estimate that I have gone to over 1000 appointments in my lifetime.
A few years back I was feeling discouraged at not having a response to, “What do you do for a living?” Telling people I was chronically ill came off as a buzz kill and halted conversations real quick.
My dad suggested telling people that I was a “professional patient” and well, the title has stuck.
When I tell people I’m a professional patient, I usually get a laugh and a “What?”
Nevertheless, the conversation continues and is a little more upbeat.
Being the professional patient that I am I often get asked, “How do you handle going to so many doctors?”
Most of us would agree that going to the doctor is tiring and stressful, and that’s not even taking into account going to the doctor during COVID. On top of being exhausting, appointments these days are also very lonely.
Without the confidence of knowing that I don’t walk this road alone, I would not be able to keep on going.
It is with the assurance of Christ by me and in me that I press on.
The professional patient’s life is not a typical life, but everyone has to go to the doctor at some point and might be able to find some strength in learning that doctor’s appointments only suck the life out of you if you let them.
That being said here is how to tackle your next doctor’s appointment…
Pre-game
Before leaving the house…
1. Pray…Pray for wisdom for the doctors. Pray for wisdom and boldness for you to say what you’re truly experiencing and feeling. Thank God for being your ultimate physician. Thank Him for working ahead of you and before you. Thank Him for being with you and for you.
2. Find a verse for that appointment…
Examples:
- If You Feel Scared
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
- If You Feel Hopeless
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
- If It’s Going To Be Painful
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
James 1:2-3
- If The Doctor Is A Jerk
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31
- If You Are Feeling Timid
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
- If You Are Tired
“I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
3. Choose if you want to bring somebody with you. Some appointments you need a hand to hold and some appointments you need to know you can do it by yourself.
4. Do the paperwork beforehand so that you don’t feel rushed when you get there.
Waiting Room
1. Get there a few minutes early. You don’t want to be late, but I’ve also never been to an appointment where they took me early, so showing up too early is usually a waste of time.
2. Don’t scroll through social media while waiting…You already know there are plenty of other places you could be and want to be, but you don’t need to remind yourself of that.
3. People-watch and pray for the people in the waiting area. You never know why someone is at the doctor, but it’s not for fun.
4. Smile, even when you don’t feel like it. Your smile can change someone’s day, even your own.
5. Remind yourself that God has the last word. Whatever the doctor says or doesn’t say, it’s not final.
6. Pray or just say Jesus if you don’t have the strength to say more. There’s something about just inviting His presence into an appointment that is a game-changer.
7. Remember your verse and repeat it to yourself.
8. Plan what you’re going to say to the doctor so that you’ll remember when they come into the room.
Meeting with the Doctor
1. Talk to them like they’re a friend, not your doctor. Whitecoat Syndrome is real, but they are just a person. I find if you talk to them like you would your best friend (all the details) and relaxed, you usually get more answers.
2. Be selective with what you keep in your head, but allow them to say their thoughts.
For example:
When the doctor told me I have a degenerative spine, will need multiple surgeries, and will end up in a wheelchair. I kept in my head they knew why I have back pain, there was a solution, the next step was surgery, then rehab to get stronger. I ignored the other stuff because it wasn’t pertinent yet and it didn’t need to be dealt with yet.
3. Don’t argue with the doctor, just find a new doctor. I’m not promoting “doctor shopping.” On the other hand, when it comes to your health you ultimately have to be on board with what they’re saying. If you don’t agree with their thoughts, think about getting another opinion.
4. Don’t associate your feelings about the diagnosis/prognosis with the doctor. They are still a person and they aren’t the reason you’re hurting and/or sick. But they can be the tool to help you feel better, best to stay on their good side.
5. Thank them for seeing you.
Post-appointment
1. Pray in your car before you even pull out of the parking lot, even if it’s just 1 sentence.
2. Thank God for the good/remind yourself of the good.
3. Listen to worship music. To quote the movie, “Facing The Giants”
“And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes.”
4. Handle all the post-appointment instructions as quickly as possible so you can’t worry about it or forget it.
Examples…
- taking care of prescriptions
- insurance
- scheduling tests and follow-ups
- payment
- bloodwork
- updating your medical records
- updating other doctors
- etc.
5. Tell your family or loved ones what went on so that you’re not the only one carrying the news. Also, because they care and genuinely want to know.
6. Do your best to let your brain move on…This differs with whatever is going on after the appointment, but it’s so important. If I’m with my family/friends, blogging, at church, or whatever else I’m doing after my appointments I try my best to be present with those things and in those moments.
A Little Encouragement
Doctor’s appointments are exhausting. I get it completely. But, they don’t have to suck the life out of you.
I’ve had my fair share of appointments that I’ve allowed to suck the life out of me, but when you become a professional patient and spend every workday going to the doctor, you have to learn how to keep on pressing on…How to keep on living…How to keep your mind right amidst the never-ending appointments.
I’m far from perfect at this, but I try my best and this week I’m encouraging you to keep your mind right at your next doctor’s appointment.
If I can tackle the full-time patient life, you can tackle the part-time patient life.
And always remember that you are never alone; whether that be in a doctor’s office, a hospital room, your car, or surrounded by numerous other people. Your creator, healer, and sustainer has you in His hands and He will not let you go.
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