Last week, my respiratory therapist from my durable medical equipment company came to visit me, as she does every month, to check in on me and to retrieve data from my ventilator. My respiratory therapist was very disheartened to see after several trips to the large medical facility, I was still very short of breath and still having significant issues with my trach tube. As we were talking, she started telling me about a pulmonologist who specializes in neuromuscular diseases and practices at the large medical center. I told the respiratory therapist I was very happy with my current pulmonologist, although the next available appointment I was able to schedule with her was three months away.
After the respiratory therapist left, the new doctor was on my mind. What if this was an answer to my prayer? I have been asking God over and over again for relief from my symptoms. Maybe this new doctor could help. I did a Google search on the doctor, and all her reviews came back as five out of five. Every comment posted about the doctor reflected on how the doctor was caring, compassionate and went above and beyond to find solutions to her patient's challenging problems. As much as I did not want to see another pulmonologist, her reviews were too good to pass up! What did I have to lose!?
But then a thought drifted through my mind that it might be a good idea to see my primary care doctor and have him refer me to the doctor. I thought perhaps I might be able to get in to see the pulmonologist faster going this route. So, I called my doctor and hoped I could get an appointment to see him soon. To my great surprise, the receptionist told me he had an appointment available the very next afternoon. "I'll take it!"
I was very grateful my primary care doctor happily made a referral to the pulmonologist. He even called the pulmonologist's office and got the referral going while I was still in the clinic! The doctor said the pulmonologist's office would call me to set up the appointment.
I patiently waited four days for the pulmonologist's office to call me. Finally, I decided to call them. The receptionist told me it was six week wait for a new patient to see the pulmonologist. She then said someone would call me back to set up the appointment. I waited another day. Then, I decided perhaps my primary care doctor could help out. I called his office, and his nurse agreed to follow up with the pulmonologist's office.
Finally after several more days of waiting, I called the pulmonologist's office again. This time, the receptionist said, "Oh, yes. I was supposed to call you. The doctor wants to see you in the next month, but there are no appointments available. Maybe I can talk to the doctor and see if I can get you in to see her." I usually do not plead my case to relate to the receptionist the urgency of my situation, but today I did. "Please see if the doctor can see me soon. I am in respiratory failure. I have seen almost every pulmonologist in my area, and none of them have been able to help. My breathing is very fast and is putting a strain on my heart. I would greatly appreciate if the doctor could see me soon." The receptionist said she would talk to the doctor and call me back.
A few minutes later, the receptionist called back. "The doctor can see you at 1:30 on Tuesday. Can you make that?" (What!? That is only five days away! I nearly start crying.) "Yes, Tuesday at 1:30 works for me!" When I hang up the phone, tears of joy and gratitude fill my eyes. I lie on my bed thanking God for His abundant kindness. Two hours after I scheduled the appointment, the nurse from my primary care doctor's office calls. "I am so sorry. We have been calling every day this week to get an appointment for you with the pulmonologist, but we can not get anything set up with their office." I am filled with delight that my doctor's office had followed through on their promise. "Oh, thank you so much for all your help. I was able to schedule an appointment this afternoon." The nurse was very pleased. He took down my appointment information and then hung up. I was smiling ear to ear knowing that my primary care doctor and his office were working hard to get me an appointment. It made scheduling the appointment with the pulmonologist today all the more miraculous!
"Oh, LORD! Oh, LORD! I have been praying and praying and praying. And now, in an instant, I have an appointment to see the pulmonologist and do not have to wait the usual six weeks for a new patient appointment. Oh, thank You again for Your loving kindness and abundant mercies. Thank You for moving so many mountains. Please, let this appointment go well. Please give guidance and wisdom to this doctor. Please let me be free from all these tracheostomy issues. In Jesus' precious name. Amen"
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