A meeting with the specialist...

I have two of the world's greatest doctors. My family doctor, on learning my news, sat with me in her office and cried along with me...I would suspect sadly that is not a typical response. She cares for me in ways that are about so much more than body parts and test results - and her connection to me is one of the things I treasure most. So on the morning I learned my kidneys were failing and found myself an hour later admitted to hospital and waiting to meet the specialist - I was more than a little fearful about what I would find. Fortunately, it was love at first sight. Not only is he considered the "best" in his field, but he is warm and funny, and has never shied from telling me directly what I need to hear, whether I like it or not. Although he admits he struggles with my stance of seeking only "conservative measures" (code for no intervention) he told me yesterday he's had patients with numbers as low as mine, who have carried on for five or six years - not feeling the best, mind you, but not feeling horrible and sick. We both know that may not be my story...but for today it gives me a little bit of light where there was none. I don't know what fate brought these two people into my life...but for today let me say I could not be more grateful.