My new nephrologist is definitely a keeper. I'll just call him Dr. K, he's from southern India where both his parents are physicians, he trained in the US and will work here for the next ten years and then return to India and buy a share of his parents' practice.
He's board-certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He's an instructor at the university-affiliated teaching hospital where I will be receiving the bulk of my medical care from here on out. He asked if I had ever learned about dialysis options and I told him I had and what my preference is, he was very pleased with the choice I made. He understands and accepts my feelings about in-clinic hemodialysis. He's thrilled that I am already on the inactive wait list for a transplant at the medical center where he practices.
We discussed what needs to be done so I can move onto the active list (cardiac cath) and he's more than willing to work with a cardiologist to get that accomplished. He reduced the dosage of my BP meds and diuretics so that I will be less dizzy and have a little more stamina for walking and daily activities. He said that the parathyroidectomy that I underwent last year isn't the worst surgery in the world but he thinks that in my case, it may not have been the best option. The medication that I'm taking now for hyperparathyroidism is incredibly pricey and has some ugly side-effects and he feels that I might not need it but that remains to be seen.
He spent about 45 minutes with me, evidently the "eight minute rule" doesn't apply, answered questions from me and my mate. My partner doesn't trust the US healthcare system, dislikes doctors on sight, and has little or no faith in Western medicine. Dr. K won him over completely. That's a load off my mind since he (my partner) will be my caregiver if I ever get to transplant and it would be nice if he felt comfortable with at least one member of my medical care team.
One tiny fly in the ointment; appointments at this medical center take forever. Nephrology patients have to be at the lab 1.5 hours prior to the appointment time for blood draws and a urine sample, then you have to kill off the rest of the time before you actually get to see the doc. Start to finish, about 4 hours.
Not much of a physical exam yesterday, he auscultated heart and lungs, checked pedal pulse and assessed edema in my leg (there was none). He spent a lot of time checking BP in all different positions because I've had low BP and dizziness. I'm good to go for four months but I still have to find a PCP.