Losing Your Favorite Doctor

Finding the right doctor is like finding a lifeline—especially when you’re managing a chronic condition like Multiple Sclerosis. A good doctor is more than just their credentials or training; they’re someone who listens, understands, and truly partners with you on your health journey. If you’re lucky enough to find that doctor, it feels like a gem you never want to lose. So, what happens when that doctor goes on leave or retires? It can feel like your world is shaken.

My favorite doctor

For years, I worked with a doctor who was more than just a medical professional. She was my sounding board and my trusted partner in managing both MS and migraine. She saw me through some of the hardest seasons in my life and always made me feel heard, understood, and cared for. So, when she called to tell me she was going on medical leave, I was taken aback. My first reaction was concern for her – was she okay? It was hard to imagine her in the patient role, when I had always viewed her as the doctor who knew all. I wanted her to be okay.

Once that subsided, a wave of panic set in. What would I do without her? How would I navigate a health crisis without her? I felt like I was losing my safety net. She was “my medical person.”

My doctor knew all of me

It wasn’t just about finding another qualified doctor, she knew my history, my health goals – she knew all of me from a medical standpoint.

At first, I felt lost. But as the days went on, I realized I had a choice: I could let this loss overwhelm me, or I could use it as an opportunity to step up my own role in managing my health.

This experience motivated me to take a more active role in my care. While I’ve always tried to stay on top of my health, this situation gave me a new sense of urgency.

I had to take action

I started asking myself:

• How can I stack the odds in my favor to stay as healthy as possible? What additional tools or habits do I need to add in?
• I realized there are always more steps I can take - whether it’s refining my diet, prioritizing stress management, or finally getting more consistent with movement. Sometimes, it takes a shake-up like this to remind us of our own strength and power.

As I reflected deeper on what made this doctor so irreplaceable, one thing stood out: she made me feel truly heard. That sense of being fully listened to was as much a part of my healing as any treatment plan.

I needed to recreate the feeling of being heard and understood

So, in her temporary absence I had to ask myself: How else can I create that feeling of being heard and understood? It might be through journaling, having more honest conversations with a close friend, or even finding a therapist who can offer the same empathetic listening.

The reality is, no one doctor - or person - can meet all our needs all the time. But that doesn’t mean the loss of a favorite doctor is easy. It’s a transition, and like all transitions, it requires adjustment, grace, and a willingness to adapt.

If you’ve experienced something similar, I’d love to hear your story. How did you handle the transition? What did you learn about yourself along the way?

Share in the comments below so we can learn from you too!