Ugh! As soon as I saw this I knew I could relate! I've had my same Drs for many years.
My orthopedic Dr retired young (he was maybe 60, if that). But before he did, he finally decided to replace BOTH of my knees at the same time.
I'd gone back and forth with him for a few years. I always knew they both needed to be replaced and I always knew I wanted them done at the same time. He kept saying, "I only do both with REAL athletes". His walls were lined with famous athletes thanking him. I might be amazing to my daughters, but beyond that....ummm...I'm definitely not athletic. So he and I went around and around, really, for a few years.
Finally, he said he was retiring early. I flipped! I have other Drs that are his really good friends and they assured me he wasn't ill, he just wanted 'out' and was retiring to Florida.
Finally, he said, "OK, I'll do them both at the same time. But first you have to assure me you have the upper body strength required". He did some tests and....yea! I passed.
So, in May (two years ago this May, he replaced both knees). It was a breeze and after a few trips from rehab to him (not healing right), I was done...
On my last visit to him, his nurse pulled me aside and said, "Did you realize you are his last patient? He's been waiting for your last visit...this is it!"
Well, we hugged (I did that every time I saw him, but this one lasted longer). Since then I check on how he's doing with my other Drs and he's having a wonderful time.
Same thing happened with my Dr my husband and I went to. You know, the guy you go to when you have a virus. He knew my late husband so when my husband died, he was the one who consoled me and explained what MIGHT have happened. He also went to Florida and was only in his early 60's.
Oh! Wait! I'm not finished! My Dr that takes care of my back didn't retire, but is doing research on stem cells and healing. (I might be seeing him again this year). The Dr that he works with who is now my Dr keeps saying, "Do you have thousands of dollars to waste? Because that's what it will cost and insurance doesn't pay for it." Ha! But I say, when you hurt bad enough, you'll try anything.
So, move forward to another Dr I've seen for years. He's very old. I see him for my 6 month checkup in a few weeks. I'm scared to death he's going to say, "This is our last visit together". He's amazing! He's no-nonsense, but warm and caring and I know he has my best interest always.
I still have a cardiologist I've been seeing for years. He'd just started when I started with him. He's another who helped me when my husband died. He tells me not to worry that he'll retired. He has very young sons. When I asked him why he waited so long to have children. He said it was so he could pay off his student loans. He's always going to school and getting re-certified. I adore him.
So, finally, I understand Drs have lives. But good grief! When you get one you really, really like, it's hard to say good-bye.
Oh! I have an arthritis Dr who has a ways to go. She and I talk a lot when I visit her (every 6 months). I know all about her 2 sons, their colleges and how she begged the oldest not to go to medical school. (She finally talked him into a double major.....medicine AND business). Ha!
Now I'm depressed. Did I mention if you find a Dr you like....stick with him or her.....if possible.
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