Doctor Changes

As you can imagine, living the quad life means I have several doctors. I have my general physician (GP), along with a variety of specialists. As the decades have passed, some of these doctors have changed due to retirement or me moving on in life from pediatric to adult care. Most of them have been around for many years though.

One of these specialists has been my pulmonologist, Dr. Hicklin. After my first pulmonary doctor retired, I was transferred to Hicklin. I don't remember the exact year, but it was somewhere around the mid to late 90's that I started seeing him.

Photo from the Iowa Clinic

For someone that can't breathe independently, I thankfully have very little trouble with my lungs. Generally, I see my pulmonologist twice a year for a general checkup. We chat for a few minutes about life in general, he listens to my lungs, and that's it. The ten-minute or less visit costs insurance a fair amount, but it's what they require.

In 2009 and 2010, Dr. Hicklin was a key part in helping me get approved for my diaphragmatic pacemaker system. Again in 2014, he was also a big help in getting nurses covered with my insurance changes. For both of these situations, he helped with a lot of research, talking with other doctors, my insurance, and working to get what I needed.

Due to virus restrictions, I visited with Dr. Hicklin in May through a virtual visit. About a month later, he helped get a prescription for a new pulse oximeter to monitor my oxygen levels. This week, I saw online that Dr. Hicklin unexpectedly passed away on July 17. I met with another one of my doctors, ENT, this week who said they exchanged text messages that day and he seemed okay.

I called the pulmonary department Friday to see what I'll need to do to get switched to another physician. After more than two decades with one person, it will take time to get used to someone new, and they with me. I pray they are as dedicated as Dr. Hicklin was and that I can feel comfortable with their care.

It also serves as a reminder that we don't know when our time will come to leave this life. We always need to be prepared, and be careful to do God's will.