Saying goodbye to a long-term care provider is never easy
With my physical therapist leaving, I worry about the rest of my medical team
I’ve been going to physical therapy every week since 2022 to help with my hypoparathyroidism-related muscle spasms. At my appointment this week, my longtime therapist announced that he’s leaving to take another job where I can’t follow. I’m so thrilled that he’s found a position that’s a better fit, but after so long together, I’m also heartbroken. It’s rare to find a care provider who not only understands hypopara symptoms, but can roll with the good and bad days.
While physical therapy is now a weekly staple, I traveled a long road to find a therapist who’d treat me. Before I met my current one, I contacted six facilities — and all of them said they weren’t comfortable working with my hypopara. I was lucky this therapist loves a challenge and enjoys learning about different conditions. He was definitely worth the wait, and we’ve had a great run together.
Physical therapy feels almost as vulnerable as psychotherapy to me. I must be comfortable enough to have a therapist touch painful areas on my body while I share details about the origin of my pain and how much distress I’m in. It goes beyond the surface-level “this hurts” and holds a magnifying glass to the minutiae of my everyday routines.
When my muscles can spasm from something as simple as sneezing, I have to trust that my provider will not only believe me, but will help me find relief. And anyone who’s spent time in the medical system knows how hard establishing that level of trust can be.
I’m lucky that I’ve sporadically seen an alternate physical therapist at my current location before. While their technique is a bit different, I hope that we end up being a good match. Being a long-term patient at a facility that generally deals with short-term care means I have to roll with the changes and sometimes make hard decisions of my own.
As for other providers …
This situation leaves me thinking about the rest of my providers. I’ve spent the past decade carefully molding my medical team to be what I need, but nothing is permanent. People find new jobs or decide to move closer to family all the time. Meanwhile, I know that several of my doctors are getting close to retirement age.
The thought is enough to make me spiral into one heck of a tailspin. It’s important to remind myself that I’ve found providers before and I can do it again, even when it’s hard.
Some of my best providers came from recommendations by local hypopara patients, which I’ve found through Facebook groups. I’ve also asked my doctors and nurses who they see, as they likely know many people in the field. The Hypoparathyroidism Association is another great resource, as they keep a patient-recommended doctor list.
Changes to my medical team are always hard, but having hypopara means I need to buckle up and keep rolling with them. I’m on a lifelong journey that will never be one-and-done, but don’t I wish it were that easy.
Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.
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