Dear Healthcare Professional by Melissa Nearman
Dear Healthcare Professional,
Please understand that coming to the emergency room was my last resort. I can guarantee I tried to talk my way out of being brought here. I hate when you make me feel like I’m wasting your time while I’m putting my life in your hands. I know you’re allowed to have bad days, but I’m here because my day isn’t going so well either. Please understand that I’m terrified to ask you for pain relief because I don’t want you to judge me. Please don’t allow good people to suffer because there are bad people in the world.
Dear Healthcare Professional,
Please don’t act as if my condition doesn’t exist just because you don’t know what it is. Please understand that I’m aware I’ll never be symptom free, but if it can’t be fixed, I at least deserve to know the cause. I understand you’re human, I understand you can’t fix me, but if you’re unwilling to research my conditions or unable to help me, please refer me to someone who can.
Dear Healthcare Professional,
Please understand how much faith I’ve put in you. Please understand that during the months I’ve spent waiting for this appointment, the hope that you can help me has been the sliver of hope I’ve held on to. Please don’t view me as just a 15 minute block in your day. I’m so much more than just a patient. I have a family that is counting on you to do everything you can to improve my quality of life.
For more of Melissa’s journey, please read Melissa Nearman shares her journey with dysautonomia
