Let's bridge the gap between patients and doctors...

with a little bit of humor

Good Monday to you! I hope your week is off to a great start.

Sometimes, when I have “a case of the Mondays” I enjoy a few memes for a good laugh. Since my readers are both doctors and patients, I made these memes to help both sides understand each other a bit better. Ok, on with the memes!

Patients: How many times have you had to Google medical terms when researching or discussing something with your doctor? I have done it plenty of times. There’s no shame in not knowing those big medical terms if you haven’t been to medical school.

Doctors: Its awesome that you have so much knowledge in your brains…just please try to translate it into layman’s terms for those of us who are struggling to keep up.

And while we’re on the topic of Googling terms, here’s another common problem I see: Patients who don’t feel right on their thyroid meds, but have normal labs. A sign of a great doctor is one who will really take the time to help a patient find the right type of thyroid medication and the right dose.

SO….this one may upset a few doctors, and that is NOT my intention. But, believe it or not, this is statistically true! Annually in the US, 150,000 people have their thyroid removed surgically. Out of those, 100,000 are benign. Many of those patients may actually be great candidates for a thyroid saving thermal ablation procedure.

Furthermore, 3 out of 4 surgeries on indeterminite thyroid nodules are also unnecessary! Patients, if you have been diagnosed with a Bethesda Category 3 or 4 nodule, please do your research on molecular testing. More about that here.

ONE GLORIOUS DAY, the insurance companies will FINALLY realize that thyroid ablation procedures actually save THEM money and lower costs for our healthcare system. When will that happen? We don’t know. But we are confident that it will, because the data on safety and efficacy of thermal ablation is clear! These procedures work and are often a preferred option for the right patient.

Ok doctors, this one is for you. I want you to know that our Facebook community is growing rapidly. We just surpassed 6,000 members this week! Patients are eager to find providers offering thermal ablation. If you are on the fence about integrating thermal ablation into your practice, please know that this meme is 100% true!

High fives for all my fellow patients who have taken the time and effort to diligently research their condition, ask questions, and have not been afraid of getting second and third opinions!

Ok, hot nodule sufferers: How many of you can relate to this one?

So this one is based on my own personal experience, and I’m sure many patients can relate. While this is pretty uncomfortable for us as patients, we have to remember that doctors can’t always know everything about new treatment options becoming available. That being said, if your doctor reacts like this and you’re truly interested in seeking a thermal ablation, consult with a provider who’s been trained in them before deciding against it. You can find a list of thermal ablation providers in the US here.

On behalf of those of us who have been fortunate enough to have insurance cover our thermal ablation procedures, we know we are truly blessed.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I HEARD THIS ONE?? I’ve lost count. Thank God for the amazing providers who understand that this is not true and that the thyroid is worth saving!

Now, before some doctors get upset, I’m not pointing any fingers….I’m just posing the question. I realize there are many factors at play that lead to this occurring. But I still think that if enough providers began offering thermal ablation, we might see thyroid prescriptions decrease.

Its not uncommon for patients to just want relief from compression caused by a large thyroid nodule. I get it. It can wreck your quality of life. But remember, in order to make an educated decision about your treatment, you have to consider the long term consequences. If you are someone like me who does not do well on most medications, you need to consider that when deciding to have thyroid surgery.

This one happened to me too. He walked in and immediately started talking surgery, without even introducing himself. This did not help me to build trust with this provider.

Ok, before my surgeon friends get mad, remember its all in good fun! I’m so thankful for surgeons who also see the value in thermal ablation.

This one makes me giggle, but take it with a grain of salt. Again, you don’t necessarily need to fire your doctor if they don’t know about thermal ablation. What you do need to consider is their attitude about it. If they are open-minded and willing to answer your questions or refer you to someone who offers thermal ablation, that is a GREAT sign. If they are angry and defensive when you bring it up, it may be time to move on.

Disclaimer: There may be some nodules that don’t respond to an ablation. However, this is a rare occurrence. The majority of them shrink dramatically, which reduces or eliminates the symptoms they are causing. #winning

Oh, if this could have been me! I wanted it to be, but my doctor was not willing to listen. Patients, if your provider sees your progress and is intrigued, you probably have a good one.

And to wrap this up, a good old Matrix reference. I think we are witnessing a paradigm shift today in medicine. Patients are becoming more informed on their conditions and more involved in their healthcare decisions. Gone are the days of compliant patients who just do whatever the doctor tells them without question, even when they don’t feel right about it. My hope is that together, we can push the boundaries of the old paradigm and move forward together, in better health.

If you made it this far, thanks for joining me for “Meme Monday.” I hope these put a smile on your face and a few facts in your brain. Have a great week!

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