Heading North

A big “THANK YOU” to those of you who helped set me on the path toward finding an acupuncture doctor, and “thank you” to Karen (Flaca), for putting us in touch with Dr. Jing Li.  Cole and I both met with Dr. Li yesterday at her Irvine clinic, and she is an Anthem Blue Cross provider–YAY!  It was an extensive 3 hour visit!  Our scheduled appointment was for 10:30a.m. and we left the office at 1:00p.m.  Thankfully, I packed a lunch ‘just in case’, and as we were devouring our goods in the car Cole stated, “we sure have been eating a lot of lunches in parking lots since seeing so many doctors.”  It is true, and in many different cities!  Which brings me to my title…

Dr. Li thoroughly evaluated Cole.  She listened, asked questions, took notes, and nodded her head.  She excused herself for a moment, returned and sat down on her stool then took a deep breath.  She spoke with confidence and purpose, choosing her words carefully and methodically.  She addressed Cole directly as well as engaged me into the dialogue when appropriate (I love it when a doctor recognizes Cole’s intellectuality by addressing him directly–that wins points with me right away!).  She spoke to us with an authoritative knowledge and experience, yet she eagerly drew upon our resources of Cole’s condition as well.  We both immediately respected this woman and felt confident with her recommendations.  The following is our first step, at her suggestion, as paraphrased by me:  “I first have to tell you that acupuncture, in a case such as yours, is most effective within the first six months.  That being said, it is in your best interest to get started as soon as possible.  However, since you are so young, I believe you should have access to the best in the industry for your condition.  There is a world renowned doctor who has devoted his life toward studying and treating people with neurological conditions.  I know many cases who have flown him in for treatment.  I am not saying you should go to him, I could treat you here myself…I have learned from him.  However, I want to not withhold any opportunity from you, because you are so young and if it were me or my child, I would want to be seen by him.  Honestly, I can probably do a better job treating your other conditions (Cole’s GI issues for example) because Dr. Zhu is so specialized.  But for the neurological conditions, he is the best.”

Dr. Li went on to tell us that Dr. Zhu has one clinic in California, in northern California.  San Jose to be exact.  Cole told her he was interested so she got on the phone and called Dr. Zhu on the spot.  She first had to check if he was presently in the country and then second wanted to discuss Cole’s case with him.  Turns out he is in the country until the end of next week, thus I will be driving Cole up north to the bay area on Monday the 14th (I would leave sooner but it is Esther’s 16th birthday on Saturday and my sister Leah and brother Aaron will both be in town for the occasion).  Unfortunately, Dr. Zhu does not bill insurance so this will be an out-of-pocket expense, though his rates are more in line with what I consider reasonable and acceptable (unlike that of Dr. Connealy’s $425- fee for the consultation).  All in all–with our travel expenses and 5 already set appointments, I am expecting the costs to fall under one thousand; in fact more in the range of $800…not too bad, all things considered.  Wait, wasn’t “all things considered” a radio program on NPR? 🙂

Anyway, we are heading North.  Not to Alaska, but to San Jose…do you know the way?

Tags: accupuncture, dionne warwick, johnny horton