I wrote a review concerning the lack of care and organization of SFGH so I felt I needed to get the word out about a good doctor and care team. The nurses are wonderfully kind and patient, and Dr. Lee himself is a godsend. On my first visit, he got a detailed medical history and expressed concern that the SFGH neurologist didn't give me something to keep my headaches at bay, especially something as safe as Imitrex. He sent off that prescription, and ordered several blood tests to see if there was any sort of hormone, blood sugar, or infection issue. He listens. That's the thing, he actually listens, he asks me how I would like to proceed with my care, and then he tells me what we can do to help my health. He expressed the same concerns that I've had for years, of being overmedicated with piles of prescriptions that don't do anything other than slap a Band Aid on issues, and mentioned the eventual use of nutritionists and other wellness options like acupuncture. I was astonished and yes, I totally cried in his office. He listened to me and cared and made me feel like a real person with needs that were being addressed, he never wrote prescriptions without looking up at my face, you know, in order to just get me out of the office, he never told me I was overreacting.
I had an emergency visit today, severe kidney pain that's been getting worse since a kidney infection last month. Rather than go to the ER, I called his office to see if there was a way I could be seen on short notice, or if it would be best to go to the ER because of the pain. The woman on the phone was very kind, told me I could come in at 2, and I did. Again, Dr. Lee really listened to what I had to say, he took notes, he explained things, and he did something that surprised me, he actually said it would be a bad idea to attack my system with antibiotics right now. Can you believe that? A doctor who doesn't throw antibiotics out like candy. I was amazed and grateful. He and his nurse set up an ultrasound for my kidneys, Dr. Lee prescribed some medication for the pain, and that was that. Now I know what my options are, what to look out for concerning the pain, and how to go forward. I can't thank the care team enough. I'm used to being told to "wait and see" or "you'll be fine." Dr. Lee never questioned my pain and was concerned enough to schedule an ultrasound. He never swept my pain or concerns under the rug.
People overlook how important every player on a healthcare team is, how important communication and respect is, and I'm consistently amazed at how kind Dr. Lee and his staff are. I'm not ignored or interrogated because of my insurance, I'm cared for, quickly and kindly. I'm really looking forward to the future of my health and the improvements I can make with this doctor on my side. Eventually I want to live a day when I don't have to think about taking any pills, I can just enjoy the day without pain. I finally feel like that's a real possibility (but I have my work cut out for me with this kidney thing and I need to get that taken care of. Everyone at Dr. Lee's office, thank you for your help, especially on such short notice :) read more