What to get the dr. that saved my life?

[luvmarypoppins]

If some of you read my year long posts, you will remember that I almost died in January and the dr. that saved my life operated on me for 3 hours, told my husband I had 15 minutes to live etc. I have thanked him in the icu and once in the office. He said, "oh its nothing!!" Well it was sure something to me!!

He is not my regular dr. but I am seeing him again on Tues. for some tests. I want to give him a gift, but dont know what to get him. I was thinking of a tie. I know that sounds weird but he cut my neck open etc. Or some cookies? I think that is too impersonal etc.

Its Thanksgiving and I am so blessed that God let me be here etc. and I also want to thank him for all he did.

So what are your ideas?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That is so great and so wonderful that you are alive and abe to do this!

As for a gift. I am not sure, can that be done?

I know you can do food or something, but I'm not sure what they can accept.

So maybe just cookies or something for the whole office or an arrangement of flowers that can be displayed in the office.

How are you health wise? Are you doing okay now?

 

[Micca]

I agree that something for the office would be nice. Flowers, balloons, candy, etc. Then send the doc a little note saying how grateful you are. You know they hear about it when things don't go well, a little note of gratitude would mean a lot.

 

[ilovepcot]

I would make a donation to a charity in his honor. Heart fund or a charity that might happen to run along his line of medical specialty. The charity you send the donation to will in turn notify him via mail that you have honored him. The amount is not revealed. Face it, he probably has everything he could possibly want or need and he may be embarrassed about accepting an actual gift. This charitable donation should prevent any awkwardness a gift could possibly cause.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I would make a donation to a charity in his honor. Heart fund or a charity that might happen to run along his line of medical specialty. The charity you send the donation to will in turn notify him via mail that you have honored him. The amount is not revealed. Face it, he probably has everything he could possibly want or need and he may be embarrassed about accepting an actual gift. This charitable donation should prevent any awkwardness a gift could possibly cause.

I agree with this 100%Great Idea

 

[clh2]

The dr. probably has everything he needs/wants...what about a heartfelt note that says "thank you"???

If you must get something - how about something the office staff can share???

 

[MIGrandma]

I would make a donation to a charity in his honor. Heart fund or a charity that might happen to run along his line of medical specialty. The charity you send the donation to will in turn notify him via mail that you have honored him. The amount is not revealed. Face it, he probably has everything he could possibly want or need and he may be embarrassed about accepting an actual gift. This charitable donation should prevent any awkwardness a gift could possibly cause.

I like this idea too.

And I would send him a heartfelt note of gratitude to him personally in a nice card.

 

[OceanAnnie]

The dr. probably has everything he needs/wants...what about a heartfelt note that says "thank you"???

If you must get something - how about something the office staff can share???

I like this idea and the flowers. I'm sure he would treasure a thank you note. People rarely get recognition for the good things they do. It's lovely of you to want to get him something.

Glad you are still here and doing well.

 

[autumnpalm]

I love the donation idea. I think a heartfelt letter would also be very appreciated as well. Perhaps a donation to a research fund or the hospital foundation he is based out of? I think it is lovely that you want to show him how appreciated he is and I think a donation and letter would be perfect!

 

[surfergirl602]

you could get the office one of those edible arrangements or something. Its weird, but you can never truly thank some one enough for doing what they did. But its the thought that counts.

 

[LaraK]

I would make a donation to a charity in his honor. Heart fund or a charity that might happen to run along his line of medical specialty. The charity you send the donation to will in turn notify him via mail that you have honored him. The amount is not revealed. Face it, he probably has everything he could possibly want or need and he may be embarrassed about accepting an actual gift. This charitable donation should prevent any awkwardness a gift could possibly cause.

This is a good idea.

If he's employed by the hospital, he can't accept gifts that are of value. The staff can accept food only, nothing of value.
I would make a donation and send him a family photo with a note letting him know what his work meant for your family. The photo will personalize it for him.

 

[imabrat]

I made my oncologists picture frames, one for each. It had a picture of me when I was active treatment, one after finishing treatment, and another 2 years after finishing treatment. However, my doctors are normal oncologists treating pediatrics (my hospital is specialized in the cancer I have, but they don't have a pediatric unit) so it's probably a little bit different for me.

I like the idea of a heartfelt note and a donation in his honor.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Maryann,

You are always thinking of others!

I think the donation is a wonderful idea but if you want something personal how about a fruit basket to him and his office staff?

TC

 

[Disney Doll]

I would make a donation to a charity in his honor. Heart fund or a charity that might happen to run along his line of medical specialty. The charity you send the donation to will in turn notify him via mail that you have honored him. The amount is not revealed. Face it, he probably has everything he could possibly want or need and he may be embarrassed about accepting an actual gift. This charitable donation should prevent any awkwardness a gift could possibly cause.

This is a very good idea. And write him a personal thank you letter. We often get letters complaining, but we seldom get letters thanking.

 

[SkyGirl]

I know what you mean about how you feel; you can never say thank you enough. I'm still saying it when I see my doctors and nurses at the hospital.

I think the idea for a donation is awesome!

While I was in treatment for my cancer, I often brought in cookies or other goodies for the valet to the nurses. At Christmas, I brought in Infusion Center a gingerbread house and they absolutely loved it.

During treatment, I had a book published (not a big deal, through Publish America, but still cool) and dedicated it to all who helped to save my life and named them all. I gifted all of them with the book.

 

[disfan07]

When I was being seen at Hopkins, my dermatologist was the only one in 3 years who could figure out what was arong and the right treatment adn finally got me off of prednisone after 3 years and at my last appointmetn before we moved, I brought her homemade cookies and a (very long) thank you note.

For my doctors that I see now, I'm doing thank you cards for the holidays. They have only been my doctors for 5 months but I have put them through a lot. I see my cardiologist and my pulmonoliogist weekly and they have gone above and beyond any treatment I have ever had by a doctor before. They accomodate my school schedule and teh fact that i live an hour away, and they call back at night after they are done for the day with answers to any questions, they email constantly to make sure i'm okay...it's amazing.

I agree with the PP that you can never say thank you enough. It's not all about what they go to school for all those years to learn. It's what they do in addition to all of that. It's going above and beyond what the HAVE to do.

 

[TwingleMum]

What about a small churb or angel. You know the little cute ones that are in the Hallmark stores and write something from your heart like " sometimes life can be scary and its nice to know that there are Angels like you in this world to help make it a brighter happier place. You are an Angel to all the people like me that you help. So when your tired and feeling hopeless or not appreciated look at this Angel and know there are people like me living everyday Blessing you and all the hard work you do."


A small daily reminder in his office for inspiration that doesn't have to cost a lot but means alot.

 

[legs22]

I would make a donation and send him a family photo with a note letting him know what his work meant for your family. The photo will personalize it for him.

This is what I would do. (I'm a nurse in a doctor's office.)

 

[monkey68]

I would write a note and bring in a picture of you now, with a plate of cookies or brownies or something. Also, if you remember the names of the people who took care of you, the nurses, the residents, etc. I would write a letter to the hospital thanking those people as well. That actually goes a long way. I know in my hospital, a copy of it gets filed in your record, and if you're being considered for promotion as a member of the nursing staff, or possibly a fellowship at that hospital as a resident, a letter from a patient can have some significance.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well here is a little update. I actually saw this doctor/sirgeon twice lately. lst time dh went with me, We bought cookies for him and the staff to share and I wrote him a thank you note with a picture of our family in it.

Today I had to go back to the surgeon for more testing. This time ds19 went with me. I said this is the dr. who saved my life etc. as ds had never met him. After all my testig which praise god is pretty normal, he thinks its a combo of cancer post op stuff, and 2 other things. But he said, I took the time to read your note and it was very nice. You should be a writer!!I had also enclosed a picture of the family that was our christmas picture we sent out with our reg. christmas cards.

I said Dear Dr. R., I know I told you thank you in the ICU for saving my life, but once is not enough. Thank you again for saving my life. Because of you my husband has a wife and my sons have a mom. I guess you will never forget me and how I was your first surgery here at xxx, sincerelyxxx

Then I asked him if he ever had a patient in his other practice before he moved here that had the rare cancer I have and he said...no. Oh, I guess someone has to be the rare one