A gentle but epic nudge

Based on results of recent bloodwork, my family history, and my own AFib diagnosis, Dr. Stephanie Shell recommended that I begin taking a statin daily to help reduce my high cholesterol. I refused stating that I’d alter my diet instead. After a thorough explanation of the situation and offering several alternative courses of action including taking the medication every other day or even 2 days a week, I still refused. Undeterred, Dr Shell then recommended that I at least agree to having a non-invasive heart scan to detect calcium buildup in the arteries. It sounded reasonable but being a hardhead and feeling sure that I was okay, I refused that too. Dr. Shell was patient and moved on for a time. But during the rest of our visit she circled back on the importance/ benefits of the scan and my high cholesterol. She never lectured or grew impatient with my hardheaded refusal to do the right thing.
Finally after a long and informative appointment, I got down from the exam table and said good-bye. Only then did I hear her barely audible sigh and see a look I had never before seen on her face. Frustration? Sadness? I don’t know. But as I reached for the door knob I finally said, “ ok let’s do the scan”.
I’ll cut to the chase here. My scan showed results more than four times higher than the highest recommended score. Dr. Shell called me and explained that she had already called my cardiologist ( who by the way never recommended statins or scans even after an irregular stress test) and that he would be calling me later that day. Somewhere between hearing the score results and her tone of voice, my hard headedness changed to real concern. Thank goodness for that. I agreed to let the cardiologist do a heart catheterization and he found one artery more than 90% blocked and others that will require future monitoring.
I’ll stop short of saying Dr Shell saved my life although I believe she did. Instead I’ll sing her praises for spending time to get to know me so she knew exactly how to proceed with her recommendations. She took the time to know me and then to patiently talk me into doing the right thing. She is an amazing and knowledgeable doctor and a caring and extraordinary human being. Absolutely the BEST!