Perfection

Monday was one of those crazy days.  I forgot to take care of several things, screwed up timing on several things and in general, felt like an idiot.  However, Monday also provided me with newfound knowledge:  according to at least one person, whose opinion is quite important for the next 4.5 years for paperwork issues, I am nothing short of "perfect" in her eyes.

Monday, you see, was the day I was slated to see the new breast surgeon.  She is at the same hospital as Dr. R. and had been long ago recommended to me.  It was not difficult to believe she was a popular choice, as an appointment was extremely hard to come by.   Ironically, the date chosen, May 2, was supposed to be my follow-up with my original surgeon.  Peter wondered if it was even worth it, however, I had already emphatically stated that I was not going back to the previous doctor.  So, it was the new one or nothing.  That solved that and the appointment was kept.

We found the center easily Monday morning and I was tasked with filling out 4 sheets of paperwork, handing over records and films and then nervously waiting until we were called back.  The exam would take place first and then a talk, so I was hopeful this meant that perhaps I would be accepted as a patient…yet having never met her, I was extremely worried about how much I would have to explain and whether I would want to keep her as my doctor.

There is nothing I loathe more than trying to explain life in the Foreign Service to someone who just doesn't get it.  You can talk until you are blue in the face and you can tell they don't get it as they just stare at you.  They don't understand why you want to move, why you need to move, why it's best for your family, or how this little bump in the road really threw you off course.  As I was in the middle of muddling through how I would explain my story, the surgeon walked in.

She introduced herself, sat down and asked for a brief history.  I told her how I had found her and that she came highly recommended.  I gave a bit of info about the discovery of the lump itself and then Peter added more detail with his "I was  on an unaccompanied tour" spiel.  He mentioned how the discovery was while he was gone and she just threw her head into her hands and said, "OH, no…at THE worst possible time!"

With that, she was hired.  She GOT it.  She understood.  Unlike the others who didn't understand how the delays frustrated me, how hard it was to be here alone when it happened or how this inexorably wrested so much control from me…she did and it was apparent from the get-go.

We finished with the basics, she had already reviewed the records and films, so she was set with that information and decided it was time for the exam.  It was extremely thorough, but she didn't say much other than "let's meet in my office" and she left the room.  I got dressed, we found her office and Peter and I discussed how we were sold on her.  Her bedside (if you will) manner was impeccable…caring but not sappy and we felt like she might jump up and hug us just because.

She walked in and immediately made us feel at ease.   Perhaps because she didn't seem 12, perhaps because she obviously had much more life (and work) experience than my other surgeon, we just felt, well, at home.  She asked a few basic questions and then jumped right in.. 

"So, for now we will see you every 6 months, but once you move overseas next summer, we'll just bring you back once a year.  We'll do all of your tests at once and get you out of here and on your way."  She sat back satisfied and I was ready to cry.   I didn't have to suggest anything, she had the plan all ready to go.

"Oh," she added, "By the way, you are perfect!  Your MRI is so clean, your exam was great, you are perfect!  We are all set here, I'll just see you in six months!"

I'm perfect.  Never thought I'd hear those words again from a medical professional and despite my own personal beliefs, it was incredibly reassuring.  

Even better?  No trying to convince me to stay here or delay our FS lives.  Nope, as with the others, she is ready to sign off on any paperwork we need and send us on our merry way.   Now we just need a bid list and things can really start to move forward…

(In other news, I had an article published in the Foreign Service Journal this month.  If you are interested in perusing, the link is here and on the sidebar.  Thank you to everyone for the awesome feedback thus far!)