I have had the same doctor for about 11 years. I don't know if he is really the best doctor I could have. In fact, sometimes, I thought he was probably too over-worked by the rat-bastard hospital system he worked for to even be a good doctor all of the time. But he was MY doctor. He got me through a lot of health issues. He talked me into losing 100 pounds (good idea, that one). And, he has been a comforting presence in my life.

So, why am I pissed? I got a letter in the mail telling me that the doctor isn't going to be practicing medicine anymore. He had some kind of spiritual epiphany and is going to work for the Jesuits doing... well... he doesn't really say. All I know is that now, without warning, I need to find another doctor. Great. This is all I need. It's not enough that I've been out of work for almost a year and am working at a job that will become part-time after a month or so. NOW, I need to find a new doctor.

I know, I know. I shouldn't be so selfish. I should be happy for him if he's found a new calling that satisfies him. Lord know that dealing with the hospital bureaucracy, PPOs, HMOs, etc. could not have been fun.

But, all I can think is: "That jerk had a mid-life crisis and now I need a new primary-care doctor. This sucks." I feel abandoned and let down.

I'll get over it. But for now, I am pissed.