…and it went well. Much better than I anticipated, both to my surprise and delight.

I’ve written here and here about my long overdue endocrinology appointment and my struggles deciding whether or not to pursue a new doctor. I eventually settled on taking an appointment with a nurse practitioner at my current endo’s office (mostly because I wanted advice from a professional sooner rather than later).

But my expectations for the appointment were low. I was doubtful that the NP would take the time to listen to, let alone address, my concerns. Fortunately, she proved me wrong.

After we introduced ourselves to one another, I opened up to her that my previous appointment with the endocrinologist had been disappointing. I’d like to think I was gentle but brutally honest in my approach: Using kinder words than this, I explained to her that I felt like my last appointment was a waste of time and that I disagreed with the doctor’s assessment that I was doing just fine with my diabetes management. My sentiments were met with sympathy as the NP let me vent to her about where I felt I was lacking in terms of my diabetes care in the last several months.

The appointment lasted roughly 20 minutes or so, and by the end of it, several things happened: 1) I was given a new test kit and test strip prescription (I told the NP that I distrust my Livongo meter and want a reliable back-up for when I’m not wearing my CGM), 2) I had a referral to see a podiatrist due to concerns I expressed about my feet, 3) We agreed on a minor tweak to my correction factor that will hopefully help eliminate some mid-morning highs I’ve been experiencing, and 4) We set up a follow-up appointment with one another to take place in 3 months in addition to an appointment 6 months from now with the endocrinologist to make sure all of my bases are covered and I don’t have to go so long without seeing a doctor for my diabetes again.

I can’t remember the last time that I felt so heard by a diabetes clinician (or even any kind of clinician).

As the appointment concluded, I told the NP that I’m the type of person who relies on accountability in order to stay on top of my diabetes, and this appointment was the exact sort of accountability wake-up call that I needed to hold me over for the next few months until my next one.

And I daresay…thanks to the affability and receptiveness of this NP, I’m actually looking forward to our next visit in early 2022.