Whatever happened to doctors who made house-calls or checked in on their patients when they knew they weren’t feeling well? I’ve heard tales like that, but in my life I’ve never actually seen it, and if recent events are any indication, I doubt I will see it anytime soon.

In the last couple of weeks, I have had quite a few opportunities to visit my favorite medical professionals. I know they have a difficult and sometimes thankless job, but my only advice is know when you’re going to get sick, and plan ahead. It may sound impossible, but if you see what happens when you don’t, you’ll understand why.

For months and months and months, my 16 month old baby has been suffering with horrible allergies. We tried one doctor after another (many of whom refused to even entertain the idea of allergies), who suggested everything from eating only organic, wheat-free, dairy-free foods to investing in humidifiers and dehumidifiers and air filters to “cleansing our auras” – but nothing seemed to work. It took months, and finally someone said, maybe it’s just allergies and prescribed some medicine.