Well, I have a story to tell today.
After being told for almost 3 years that liver specialists in San Francisco at Pacific Medical Center only come to Sacramento to see those in need of a transplant, I have now found this to be untrue. Out of curiosity I called the doctor's office, whose name I found on Sutter's list of hepatologists, and who I had originally wanted to see, and was told that "YES" the doctor could see me. Having said that, I finally have an appointment on March 7, 2023 in Sacramento. She is affiliated with Sutter and specializes in autoimmune liver disease. I guess my perseverance paid off. I saw my PCP yesterday and told him the same. He seemed a bit nonplussed, perhaps because I had been misinformed about Sutter and their liver disease program. I also asked him to run some labs that had been suggested by my old rheumatologist, which he has ordered for me.
In all honesty I am excited by this appointment, but at the same time wondering how many others have been told that there are no liver specialists who come to Sacramento to treat their problem, unless of course, they need a liver transplant. I have been living with this disease for just about 3 years. I do have a tendency to "overthink" things, and last night started thinking to myself, "I just hope it is not too late." I have to admit, this has been a very long and arduous road for me; I am just glad I persevered. I could not have done this without the help of those at the Mayo Clinic who provided me with the support and knowledge I needed in an effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Thank you to all of you who have provided me with the encouragement to keep advocating for myself.
I will, if you don't mind, provide you with an update after I see the good doctor on March 7, 2023. What a story!