I'm sorry, Shelley - I was in no way attempting to denigrate you, but when I mention the overwhelmed doctors, it is true. As the owner of your own company, you controlled your own workload, even though you had busy seasons in your year - in clinics, practitioners do not. My primary left her practice when they increased her patient load first from 1500 to 2000, then 2200 and finally 3000 - she was destroying her own health working 75-80 hours per week while being paid for 54 hours. In this past year, 4 of my specialists have retired early due to untenable workloads and corporate cuts in the amount of time they were allowed per patient. My formerly 45 minute pulmonology appointments are now allotted 30 minutes, increasing her patient load from 12 per day to 16 - and this includes her time for documentation as well - no wonder she often returns phone calls or answers emails at 8 or 9 pm.

I continue to advocate for patients and their care both here on Connect and in three organizations where I serve as a voice for patients (universally) trying to change the direction of modern medicine.

I too have had procedures cancelled or delayed for things that seemed "small" to me - an unhealed laceration on my leg when I needed hand surgery, and another time canker sores (another form of herpes), so I know the frustration you must feel.

Again, I apologize that you felt disrespected, and I will more closely review my replies in the future. And I won't quit fighting to improve medical care, either on the patient or practitioner side.