This weekend was a big one for all of us Arkansans. The hogs broke their SEC losing streak by taking home the boot, beating LSU 17-0. Being a fan is an interesting role. It’s really a destiny. I mean how do most people become fans of their favorite team? It isn’t by choosing which one wins the most. It’s usually some sort of destiny. Either we grew up in a home that loved a certain team, went to our favorite team’s college, grew up in the home state of the team, married into a family who loves the team….. the list goes on. Once we have found our destined team to love that’s it, you don’t really get to change, win or lose. So when the Hogs had lost 17 SEC games in a row fans didn’t start becoming OU fans. Hog fans just kept cheering on and encouraging their team, through thick and thin. Even though this seems tough for a losing team, that one big win makes up for all the losses. No one was posting on social media last night and this morning about what a horrible couple seasons the U of A has had. My feeds were covered in tweets and posts about how awesome the win was and how proud everyone was to be a HOG! It felt like the entire state was in a good mood just from that one win!
Do you know who the biggest fan of your skin is? Me, your dermatology provider. It’s what I think every health care provider should be for their patient. As a healthcare provider I promise you I am your number one skin fan through thick and thin. When you get an infection after a procedure, I’m down in the dumps. It feels like a big loss against LSU instead of a win. When you feel amazing after your Botox and Vitalize peel I feel like you just won the Super Bowl. I’m so proud, ecstatic! When things don’t go well for your acne with the first few medications we try it feels like a loss but I know by the end of the season, after we have tried some changes like peels or laser treatments, it will feel just like that LSU game, just like that big win to break the losing streak! I know it will be worth it! But you know what’s hard about being your number one fan? When you won’t let me help you win. Sounds weird, right? Here are the tips I would like all my patients to know that will really help all your health care providers be your biggest fans while winning!
1. Don’t make me a fair weather fan. Fair weather fans only cheer for their team when they are winning. If I treat you for a rash and the treatment doesn’t work, don’t cancel your follow-up appointment. Let me see you back so we can make changes to our treatment plan. Usually I haven’t used all the tricks in my hat. I might do more testing, get more aggressive with treatment, send you to a specialist or maybe even for a second opinion. I’m not too proud to know when I have used all the tricks in my hat and I will tell you because I want my team to win, whether I’m the coach or not.
2. Be honest. If you don’t like the play that was just called then tell me. If I prescribe you something and you have no intention of using it then tell me that. If you can’t afford the medicine when you get to the pharmacy, let me know. If you won’t take the pill because you don’t like the side effect profile, let me know. I may start with what I think is the best plan but we need a treatment plan that you like too, that you can stick to. If you don’t use your medicine, it doesn’t work. Some people can’t handle the truth but I can. Let me know what you want.
3. Trust me. There are some things in which my expert training has me believing very strongly. Do you tell your plumber how to unclog the toilet? No, you trust him to do it, especially if he was successful in the past. I have been successful numerous times in the past when it comes to skin. Even though it is hard sometimes to trust something you don’t believe in sometimes all I need is a chance to get that win. Give me a chance to make an impossible catch as a receiver, a hail mary as your quarterback or recover that fumble because usually, it makes for the best win. You just have to trust me!
Sorry this was a long post! I just want all of you to know that I am your biggest fan. Win or lose I’m here for your skin. Whether you need a quarterback, a coach or just encouragement let me help you win with your skin!
Exciting things are coming to Johnson Dermatology the week of Thanksgiving so make sure you follow our business page on Facebook! Until next time, hugs, Nina
