I’ve had a slightly upsetting morning.
I had my appointment with the specialist today – a dermatologist that my PCP (primary care physician) sent me to.
In a nutshell (because I don’t have the emotional fortitude to go into great detail about it at this time), I have no new information, no answers, no new options. They seemed to be rather focused on the appearance of the thing – because, well, shit, they’re a “dermatology & cosmetic surgery” center that focuses on making people feel beautiful, and my birthmark is huge and not beautiful. Of course they’re focused on the appearance. I tried telling my PCP that going to a derm was a mistake, that I need to see a vein specialist, but he said, no, this is the way to go. And so, after going to the derm, and once again going through the litany of complaints and concerns, they still had nothing for me. Worse, they seemed dismissive of me when I told them I wasn’t concerned with the appearance of the birthmark, that I was more concerned with medical issues. Like, if I’m not going to shell out money for laser treatments or sclerotherapy, they want nothing to do with me.
Of course, I am disappointed… but it’s just a dead end in a maze with many, many paths. I have other resources; I will find someone who can help, who has answers, who cares enough to spend the time with me to get to the bottom of it instead of a cursory ten minutes in and out of an office.
