I'll take the first hwy to the Suburbs, please

I have been to 5 doctors appointments in the past 7 weeks. Two to my new primary care doctor and three to my new allergist. After 4 years of unsatisfactory experiences with doctors in Kansas City, I finally got a good recommendation for a primary care doctor and from there an allergist. In those 7 weeks I have gotten further along my medical care journey than I have in 4 years. My allergies will soon be better and my newly diagnosed tension headaches are starting to get under control. Wow. This is seriously exciting when you've had a headache (mild to terrible) almost everyday for 2 years. (You should see the smile on my face!)

My thankfulness was spewing forth like a gusher, even when I was told I am allergic to my dogs. I was so happy to have answers and solutions to follow. Then, my friend and co-worker Lara posted this article from NPR. It basically says we spend the most money on health care and gets the least return. I thought about the money I've been shelling out for co-pays and prescriptions and was glad I have the money to do that. Then, it hit me that besides spending the money on those, I have been driving way out to the suburbs to get that great care.

In the 4 years before, I have focused on medical care near me, in the core of the city and was disappointed every time. (I even received the wrong shot once from a nurse. Thankfully I wasn't allergic.) This time, I went out to the burbs and have found excellent doctors with excellent staff. It occurred to me that even if someone has insurance and has the money to pay co-pays, how can they find great care in the core of the city? I can make it out the suburbs to go to the doctor because I have a car and a flexible work environment. If you rely only on public transit, you can only go where it goes. And it does not go out to 435 and Nall where my doctors are located.

I am not saying there aren't great doctors out there who practice in the core, but my experiences say they have overworked staffs, overloaded patient rosters and little time to get to know their patients. My new doctors and their offices are staffed well, take time to get to know me and my medical history, and pay attention to the little things. Everyone deserves that kind of care. Everyone. That is my prayer today.