Stress

 

The medical profession doesn't seem to recognize how much stress it puts on patients by keeping them waiting.

Waiting for appointments.

Waiting for the results.

Not knowing is probably one of the most stressful situations we can find ourselves in.

As an example: my blood pressure has been high for over two weeks anticipating an echocardiogram. No matter how many times I told myself it would be fine, it didn't work. Then I had it done, but now there was the waiting for the results. Normally I have to wait a week, or more, to hear back from a doctor after tests are done. This time the office called me two days later with good news and like magic, my blood pressure dropped dramatically.

A simple phone call and my body was relieved of unimaginable stress. Not a small thing for someone with high blood pressure and stage four kidney disease.