Saying Goodbye to a Doctor

 Yesterday I had my final appointment with my long-time pulmonologist - Dr. Shapiro. 

He has been a fixture in the NMD community for I don't know how long. 

He has been my doctor for about 20 years. 

Dr. Shapiro has literally changed my life. 

In my first meeting with him, just by looking at me, he diagnosed me with two health conditions and immediately started prescribing treatments and referring me to other doctors for confirmation of his diagnoses. 

I have seen him every three to four months since. 

He is one of those rare doctors that takes a lot of time with you, asks a lot of questions, and follows up. 

He makes sure that I get regular bloodwork and other tests to keep an eye on my health. 

He's also very personable, and we enjoy bantering with each other. 

Because he takes so long with every patient, I usually have to wait awhile to see him. 

Two funny stories, given that fact. 

Usually I meet with him in the late afternoon, after work. 

Knowing that I would have to wait, I packed a book, a journal, I don't remember what else I had with me. 

After our visit, he picked up my bag to help me with it. 

"Girl, what do you have in this thing? This is too heavy for you." he said.

"If you wouldn't make me wait so long, I wouldn't have to bring so much shit," I retorted. 

He grinned and said "Touche."

Another time I was reading when he finally came in the exam room. 

I looked at him over the edge of the book and said, "I'm at a good part in my book. You're gonna have to wait."

That is the relationship we had. 

I'm not sure I'll have that with another doctor. 

It's sad and I will miss him, but I am also happy for him. 

He has worked hard, and now it's time for him to enjoy his retirement. 

I have a friend whose long-time doctor died. So obviously I am grateful that Dr. Shapiro is retiring. There is even a chance that he will work part time as a consultant. But he doesn't know yet. So I treated yesterday's appointment as our last visit. I wrote him a card, and we hugged. I told him how much I appreciated everything he has done for me. 

I have met the doctor who will be taking over for him, and she seems nice and is definitely capable. 

There is a saying that goes something like, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." 

That is what I am trying to do here. 

Thank you, Dr. Shapiro. 

I have the life that I have in large part because of you. 

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