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Hi all, I've been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support
and encouragement from listmates in reply to my specialist horror-story.
(Re: I need advice) In the end, I decided not to have the biopsy since,
as almost everyone pointed out, I've been gf too long. I don't regret
the decision one bit. I especially agreed with the person who said that
"the real test is the eating test." No kidding! I've been wondering what
this doctor would say if I took a print-out of all your responses to
him. Would he be able to scoff at all of you too?

Just by the way, I'd told him of the migraines I suffer from and the GERD
and duodenitis I was diagnosed with a while back. He scoffed and accused me
of self-diagnosing, because I surf the net and because I knew what GERD
stood for (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). I said, "No, I was diagnosed
by specialists." At which point he told me of a doctor in this city, whom
he named, who "diagnoses everyone with the same illness. Just because they
tell you you have something, doesn't mean it's right." This is not a
terribly professional chap, is it??

I was saddened by the number of people reporting similar stories, though.
For me, there's very little consequence. So I may never know for sure, but
at least for now, where I live, it doesn't matter. My heart goes out to the
people who have to fight for a diagnosis so that they can get medical
insurance, or financial help, or the type of medical care they or their
child need. All I wanted was to be listened to and treated as an
intelligent adult. My sincerest thanks go out to all of you who did exactly
that.

Warm regards,
Karen