ChowTown
Days…yeah, I’ve had better. This one was not so fun. It started off okay…
Then, got even better…
Homemade everything bagels rock 
I even went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the Arc Trainer and 10 extra minutes on the treadmill, although I wasn’t feeling very well.
But later, I had my first appointment with the endocrinologist. There was a lot of this…
Blah.
The appointment wasn’t good. The doctor was a major weiner and seemed to be more interested in trying to type his report of the visit DURING the visit instead of really examining me and listening to my symptoms. It was so frustrating. To add insult to injury, he was throwing around the “cancer” word a little more than I liked after reviewing my thyroid ultrasound results. The outcome is more testing – both blood and a biopsy in a few weeks. In the meantime and depending on the results, I’ll be looking for a new endocrinologist. Life is just too short to put up with incompetent jerkwads.
Sorry for that mini-rant
Anywho, the whole afternoon was shot and so was I. I missed lunch since the appointment took so long. I got home in time for a late afternoon snack…
Sunchips taste awesome when you’re starving.
I reeled myself in from a total face plant in the bag and heated up a bowl of Shrimp Wonton Soup …
Not long after, the stress and emotions of the doctor’s visit got to me. I thought that a Kit-Kat would fix everything…
And if one could fix everything, imagine what 5 could do 
Yeah, permanently affix themselves to my behind.
I knew that was setting me off. I was heading down that road to ChowTown and quite honestly, for a minute, I didn’t care. I was takin’ that ride. I was gonna eat and eat and eat whatever I wanted all away.
But then, I stopped. I thought about what good it would do me to continue to eat a bunch of junk. Eating the feelings weren’t going to get me feeling better. Going forward, I need to be strong. I need to stay healthy. Eating crap isn’t going to get me either of those things.
So, I struck ChowTown off the map. Instead, I reheated a “strong and healthy” dinner – Apple Cider Vinegar Braised Chicken Thighs and roasted broccoli…
And chowed
Have a great day, everyone!
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
35 comments
Ugh, sorry to hear about the jerk-y edocrinologist. I had to go to one once and whenever I’d ask a question she’d say “Oh, were going to get to that. Let me finish.” Uhh, rude much? Even though I was 13 at the time, I knew what I was talking about!
Hope all is well. Your dinner looked amazing!
Marisa Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 7:25 am
Erika, that was exactly my doc’s response while he was typing up his report which should have been done AFTER my visit, not during! However, glad I was there for the painstaking typing session since he was reporting inconsistencies that I had to keep correcting him on! I almost walked out. Weiner.
You definitely need to find a good endo! I have a great one (have hypothyroidism) and you know… the first time I had to see one (not my current one) she kept saying cancer too and I was in tears for weeks! I have nodules on my thyroid but I just get ultrasounds every year and everything has been good – they’ve even shrunk. I definitely agree you gotta find a new one! Someone who will listen to YOU.
Wow, why do some doctors have to treat their patients that way? Glad to hear you’re looking for someone else. I would too!
As for “Chow Town”, went there myself last night. Was looking for a little “something” and found in the back of the cabinet (I don’t even know why we have them) these little miniature cookies with a tiny bit of meringue on top. They’re so cute, not too sweet, just a little. 13 in a serving. Yeah, well, 13 goes real quick. Don’t even know many I ate. I knew I was going down “that road” but didn’t want to stop. Turns out I could have had a homemade cupcake and enjoyed it way more than those little cookies. But I did recognize the issue “eventually” and put the can away. In fact, think I’ll really put that can away today…IN THE TRASH!
I hate forms at doctors. They ask so many stuff and it takes forever to fill these out.
Sorry to hear the appointment didn’t go well. Hugs to you about him throwing the word “cancer” and some more tests.
If you have a super competent doctor whose bedside manner isn’t great, the fact that they’re so competent sometimes can make that bearable. But you seem to have neither in that doctor! Definitely find yourself another, simply because you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
So sorry, Marissa. I had a less than satisfying experience with a new doctor a couple of weeks ago, so I can truly empathize. Hope your issues are found to be not serious. Congrats on the quick exit from ChowTown. Not sure I would’ve been so noble after the day you’d had!
It amazes me why some doctors even pick that profession when the have such bad ‘bedside manner’ so to speak!! I hope you find a good one, I wouldn’t be going back there either.
well done you, but Kitkats are yummy.
Glad you didn’t go totally crazy with the food
I was nibbling on chocolate yesterday (and not counting the pts!!) just because it’s in the house – I have to stop that today. Need to make a blog post. Have a great day Marisa
I hate to read you were having emotional eating issues yesterday but feel good knowing I WASN”T THE ONLY ONE!!! I have read other comments here and it seems yesterday was a fight for several of us. Throughout yesterday I fought my way to last night where at 9:00pm I was still considering blowing it all and starting over today but I didn’t. I would like to say I feel like I won a battle but woke up to weigh and the scale still refuses to budge. Even up a little bit. Don’t mean to bum you out more (smile!) just letting you know I feel your pain and we can do this. I have been on thyroid meds for 25 years.
It is very common by nowdays medical professionals to use “C” word without regard how it will impact the patient
I like Kit-Kats too
the medical application forms reminded me about a factory Geo Metro repair manual
At the risk of sounding a wee bit crass, that doctor can suck my balls.
Quit typing and talk to your patients, nimrod!
Sorry about the doctor. I hate that believe me, I have been thru hell the last year and they don’t care they cover things up with meds and pretend they fix it. They heard you in like cattle. I hope you find a better doc.
You are an amazing woman, Marisa. Believe that you can handle whatever comes your way, because you CAN.
And that doctor can take a long walk off a short pier. Nothing gets my panties in a bunch faster than a doctor that doesn’t show respect for his or her patients. Humph.
Marisa I’m sorry to hear about your day. As a nurse I can attest to how horrible doctors can be. I’ve been ripped up one side and down the other many times by doctors simply because they don’t want to be bothered to fix the result of their incompetence or take care of a situation before it becomes a serious problem. Since I work nights its even worse because we have to call and wake them up. Please do get a second opinion as soon as you can. I know this may be easier said than done depending on your insurance. You have a right to feel comfortable and confident in the doctor caring for you. It is absolutely inexcusable for a doctor to treat you in that manner and to frighten you unnecessarily by discussing the possibility of cancer before test results are conclusive.
And give yourself a huge pat on the back for allowing yourself the Kit Kats and then moving on.
Hang in there girl
Run to get another endocronoligist! I had one that was awful. She first put me on insulin, but never told me to stop taking the oral medication.
She told me: take 5 units of insulin for breakfast, 5 for lunch and 4 for dinner. I did as I was told and my blood sugar numbers were still in the 300’s on a regular basis – for months!
She actually left to go back to teaching (really?!) and when I went to my new doctor (almost three years ago now) he had me bring in my medication. I started taking out all the pills I was taking, and he was like “why are you still taking these?!”
Turns out once on insulin, the oral medication isn’t necessary – that alone saved me $140 in medication! And it turns out that I need to take 1 unit of insulin for every 5 grams of carbs – what a difference!
My average blood sugars have been between 90 and 110 for the three years and I’ve never had better diabetes management.
Hope you find a good one!!
Mental Health: Have you had your thyroid tested?
Primary Care: You’re just depressed. See Mental Health.
Mental Health: This really sounds like thyroid disease.
Primary Care: You’re just depressed. See Mental Health.
(repeat these four for about three years)
Mental Health: Okay, we’re not supposed to do this, but I’m going to give you a consult for endocrinology.
Endocrinology: You’re obese. Maybe you should try Weight Watchers.
Nutritionist: You’re doing everything right, except you might want more protein in the mornings. Try Greek yogurt.
New Primary Care: You have strep throat? It’s because you’re obese. You should try “Eat Right for Your Blood Type.” You should have only rice and beans, and no dairy.
Mental Health: Oh my God. Okay, that’s it: I’m putting you on synthroid.
Sorry the Dr was a jerk. I hope everything turns out ok. Good job on the workout. ARC is my fav piece of cardio equipment.
Ugh! I HATE that you had to go through that. I wish I could have gone with you to be a patient advocate or something. The best thing: communicate with your doctor. “I don’t feel that you are really listening to me when you are typing the report DURING our visit.”
Why is the road to ChowTown such a smooth trip? It’s hard to get off that ride. I know. Usually something snaps me out of it like, “Oh crap. I’m going to have to blog about this.” LOL Ah, accountability.
HUGS to you.
{{HUGS}} I have you in my thoughts and prayers you get the answers you are looking for.
I’m still SO impressed that you made bagels – I mean really! And those chicken thighs look awesome, too!
That sent before I was done typing – grrrr. Keep us posted on the results – SO stressful.
Ugh! See, what that doc did was the job I am supposed to be doing as a transcriptionist. Doctors used to dictate after appointments and then we transcribe it. Now with electronic medical records, doctors input there and do some dictating later. Know the scariest part? Many times doctors cannot even spell the medicines correctly or they put in milligrams instead of micrograms! Unbelievable.
My choice of chowtown snacks are nuts with chocolate chips (and some granola thrown in there if it is in the house).
Hi Marisa. DAMN….sorry to hear the doc was such a jerk!!! Good for you for resolving to find another once you’ve gone through this battery of tests. So impressed you stopped the emotional eating though. Be proud!! And keep us posted….my thoughts and good healthy wishes are coming down your way!!!! Take care!!!!! Hugs!
Sorry you had such an unpleasant doctor’s visit. Glad you’ll be looking for a new doctor right away! Bad doctors unfortunately don’t change… I had a horrible one and stayed with him way too long…. Hope everything turns out well.
It’s sooo hard not to stress-eat when things get tough!!! Glad you got yourself back on track and didn’t go to ChowTown!
I, too, have nodules. In fact, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in ‘97 as well as a multi-nodular goiter. My endo told me that it is better to have many nodules rather than one large one. In fact, he only biopsies those nodules that are larger than 1 cm. I have had 2 biopsies in the past 14 years, both benign. Also, put your mind at ease over the cancer thing…it is very unlikely that you have thyroid cancer. 1/3 of all women have nodules on their thyroid. I have a thyroid ultrasound every year to check on the size and growth of the nodules and I am on a low-dose thyroid hormone (the thinking is the hormone allows the thyroid to “rest” so that the nodules can shrink). Mine shrink and grow. If it were cancer, thyroid cancer is typically a slow-growing cancer and very easily taken care of. You absolutely need a different doctor! There is no reason to be worried and for him to do that to you is absolutely wrong.
Found your blog through babble and looking forward to reading more.
The endo thing jumped out at me.
Uh, I hate to break it to you, from experience and statistics (takes thyroid patients an average of 3 to 5 office visits before finding a decent endo) but most endos are kind of not great. I think Mary Shomon has a doc list on her website that might make it easier for you to find someone competent.
M
I’m with Jack Sh*t. Hope everything is ok
[...] you all so much for your supportive comments about my crappy doctor appointment yesterday. I don’t like being frustrated like that, but not every doc is fantastic and [...]
Ugh- Doctors. I hate going because it always ends with me being upset at how they treated me. Although, I do have one doctor that I like. *HUGS* I can TOTALLY understand your frustration.
I turn to chocolate when I’m stressed out, too. We all do. So don’t beat yourself up about that too much. You’re doing wonderful.
Hope everything is ok with you health wise though!
Oh Marisa I ams o sorry for you. I just refuse to go to a doctor who I can’t have a conversation with. I will keep you in my prayers and in the meantime you find you a new doc!
I see endocrinologists regularly, and many are like that- not all, but many. Truthfully, they don’t do a lot of “examing” just because of the nature of their specialty. I have had two EXCELLENT endos, and a slew of bad to horrible ones. Their worth comes from their understanding the of complicated thyroid hormone lab results.
I had thyroid cancer in 2007 and was very frustrated by my endo’s attitude about it (and he was a GREAT endo). I was like “I have CANCER!” And his attitude was, “but it’s ONLY thyroid cancer!” Frustrating at the time, but now in hindsight, I get his attitutde. He told me that if you’re going to get a cancer, thyroid cancer is the best one to have. And that is so true. The surgery & treatment are like having a hang-nail compared to any other cancer’s treatment. Trust me. If you want further details I’d be happy to share it with you if that time comes.
The one piece of advice I would give you now is concerning the biopsy– it is worse than they will lead you to believe. They can’t numb the area and they have to get multiple samples. Ask for something to relax you, like Valium. I REALLY wish I had known that. Good luck and please feel free to ask me questions.
Hugs! A good endo is worth their weight in GOLD…find a new one. Thoughts & prayers your way, darlin.
What a terrible doctor – no matter the results, you aren’t stuck with him, so definitely get thee to a new one, stat!
I had my own trouble with a new doctor recently too and it made me so upset–I totally get it! Definitely worth your time to find a doctor you like and can communicate with. Good for you for not totally succumbing to mindless eating! That’s a trap that is so easy to fall into when your defenses are down. You go, girl!
I had a thyroid biopsy recently too. I think doctors forget how scary mentioning cancer as a possibility can be. I had to hound them to get the biopsy and then the results. Luckily everything was fine. Good luck on that and finding a new doc.