Day 27: Friendship in unexpected places

I had to go to the eye doctor today because my eyes have been red and painful. I have a past history of iritis (where my iris stuck open) so I go in at the slightest hint. When I had the initial iritis I was misdiagnosed for ten days. By the time I got to my current doctor I was in so much pain and the eye was a mess! He wasn't even sure it could be fixed. What an awesome doctor though. I've never met anyone like him. He is not only highly intellectual (or super smart!), he has a gift for making it personal. I have utmost confidence in him and satisfaction of being taken care of. He fixed my eye right up!

Today when I went, I had to take the boys as well as my niece, because my sister was taking my other niece to get a blood test and they don't allow kids in the hospital that don't have apts because of the swine flu. So I was joking with the kids about having three kids and asking my niece how she liked having brothers. It was a fun conversation. I was laughing again. :)

When I went into the room for my apt, the doctor opened my file and showed me all the Christmas cards I have sent him. I am a photographer and I graphic design each card. He has always been supportive and appreciative of what I do. I was floored that he had all my cards. When I first went to him, his wife worked as the receptionist. I learned all about his son and their family and found we had a lot in common.

This year I ran out of cards and didn't send him one. I felt bad about that. I had thought he wouldn't care whether I did or not. When I came home I got my reprints out and immediately wrote and thanked him for being such a one of a kind doctor. One who is not only knowledgeable and talented, but also really cares about his patients. Like in the old days. I saw him even jot a note in my file when I told him my dad had died. My big revelation was in noticing my thinking maybe people didn't want to hear all my stuff, or they didn't care if I sent them a card, or wondered why I did? Then I found all that to be untrue. People do care. People do want to hear your story. And doctors can also be friends.

My gift today was sending my doctor a belated holiday card with my family letter and a big personal note thanking him for being a one of a kind doctor.