The day FINALLY arrived for me to see a doctor for my tennis elbow. I didn't have to wait three weeks to get an appointment and she accepts my insurance. Call Ripleys...
Of course nothing goes as planned. I had my appointment on the day that BART catches on fire and the Commute From Hell took place. Good thing I decided to give a friend a ride to work. It took me 55 minutes to make it from Richmond to Berkeley. Mind you, I left the house at 9:25 so it was a long time to be in the car for what is usually a short trip. Luckily I know my city streets well and I was able to get off of the freeway and make it to her office...but I digress.
I arrived at the appointment time and filled out the usual tome of paperwork. After signing my life and privacy away, I patiently waited to be summoned into an exam room. The only reason I'm leaving off a star is that it took 30 minutes for me to be seen. Of course, I have heard of two hour waits for other doctors who shall remain nameless, so I will consider myself lucky. When you have suffered with elbow pain for as long as I have, 30 minutes was just a blip on the cosmic time map.
The exam room was really cool. I enjoyed the diagrams of various hand ailments on the wall. No offense if you suffer from this ailment, but the "hand of benediction" seemed fairly epic as far as injuries are concerned. What a response if someone asks you what's wrong with you; I have been stricken with the HAND OF BENEDICTION. I SHALL SMITE YOU WITH IT...
After reading about that, claw hands, carpal tunnel (boring), and the shoulder chart, the physician's assistant walked in. Then the fun began. He tested my grip, my pinching strength (no idea what the clinical term for that is), and my range of motion. It was like being in Flight Attendant training :).
Then the doctor came in. She was VERY nice. I hate it when doctors are all-knowing and condescending to you as a patient. NOT this physician. I want to refer to her by her first name she made me feel so at ease, but that's not fair after she spent all that time in school earning an MD...We discussed my options and I ended up with a long-coveted cortisone shot. I realize this is probably TMI for most, but you have have no idea how long I have been suffering!
I am not pain free yet, but I am enjoying the "kiss my ring" stretch she gave me which I have been doing liberally. Stretch arm out straight, bend hand down, hold. My friend said I SHOULD get a big ring to compliment the action.
Anyway, I was very happy with my visit and the overall experience with the office. I hope I never have another injury like this, but if I do--I will make a beeline to Dr Schimizzi's. read more