The very best doctor I have never seen

To give this post some background, you need some background on the AENS, the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.  This website's "find a doctor" tab allows desperate people like me to search for some hope in my area.  Because, honey, modern medicine is marvelous, but it is PITIFUL in the area of nerves.  I hate the word "syndrome."  Do you?  You should.  "Syndrome" is a fancy medical word for "condition we don't understand."  And too many syndromes are nerve-related.  Fibromyalgia?  Check.  Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?  Obviously.  And others.

Anyway, hope and the AENS.  Peripheral nerves are those outside the brain and spinal cord.  I can only assume that the "extremity nerves" are nerves located in the extremities ... the arms, legs, hands, feet...  Or maybe they are just talking about peripheral nerves.  I am interested in feet, and both definitions apply.

Ahem.  Hope and the AENS.  Many doctors don't seem to have a clue about nerves.  We started out this journey by seeing several orthopedic doctors.  And it took us a LONG time (6 months-ish?) before anyone suggested this could be a nerve problem.  I support the idea of this association spreading the word about peripheral nerves.  Sharing techniques and knowledge.  I am excited to see what progress will be made in the next twenty years.

So, back on topic.  We have seen a lot of doctors/practitioners.  Let me tell you about the very best doctor I have never seen, Doctor Y.  After hitting another dead end on the quest for health, I got this fellow's contact information from the website of the AENS.  He was one of a list of several in my state, and I called every single one of them and left messages with polite receptionists.  He shocked me by calling back quickly.  I explained the sad story of nerve problems in the foot that my "patient" had.  I could hear his eyes widening, over the phone.

"I'm not really the right guy for this.  You know the fellow you need to see?  Doctor W."

"Doctor W?  Is he good?"  (Me.)

"I would trust him with any of my family members.  Go see Doctor W."

That was it.  A few minutes on the phone with Doctor Y.  I didn't even have to visit his office.  And this gracious man referred me to the first doctor who has actually been able to do something to fix any of the pain.  Isn't the best doctor the one who knows his limitations and recommends what is best for the patient?

May karma smile on you, Doctor Y.