And yet I am blessed

I see a lot of doctors and medical providers these days.





I have my Primary Care Provider (PCP)


I have two MS Neruologists


I have a Hematologist


I have a team for my study at OHSU


I have a counselor





I love all of them. Okay, most of them. I would love my Hematologist more if I could take him off my list. He is a VERY smart man when it comes to blood disorders, and if I ever had one that required care and treatment, I would want him to be the one treating me!



Sometimes it sounds like I should be on deaths door because if you ask me what my schedule looks like, it seems I have a doctors appointment every day! I don't, but I am running from one provider to another regularly.



My team at OHSU has been fantastic! When I have my monthly appointment up there, I am met at the front desk and off we go to the lab for blood draws and urinalisis. The phlebotomists are even starting to know me by name. Which is nice, since they are also starting to learn where my veins are.



I now joke with the research manager for my study about my lousy veins. He always says he is going to do my draws and then chickens out and sends me down to the lab. I told him he has to do it at least ONCE before my study is over. He is just afraid he will have to do multiple sticks. And I keep telling him that EVERYONE has to do multiple sticks on me. Even the lab.



The nurse manager for my study is great as well. She and the research manager are in constant contact with me about my apointments, my drugs and any reactions, how I am feeling and if my symptoms have changed. They also escort me around the hospital for everything, waiting while I get labs done and making sure I have everything that I need. I am sure this is not normal care for the average patient, but aparently being in a study makes you a VIP patient. Crazy.



I just love that everyone I have come in contact with has been so kind, caring, and willing to listen and explore options of care. I know that I have been very lucky to recieve care like this and blessed to recieve this kind of care at no cost.