Okay, so let me walk you through this whole experience I had, which eventually led me to cross paths with a certain William Dillon MD. It’s one of those journeys, you know? You start off thinking it’s a small thing, and then bam, it becomes a whole saga.
It All Started with This Nagging Issue
For months, maybe even close to a year, I was dealing with this really persistent shoulder pain. Not the “ouch, I slept funny” kind, but this deep, aching thing that just wouldn’t let up. I’m usually pretty good at just pushing through stuff, but this was different. It started messing with my sleep, couldn’t lift things properly, even typing for work became a chore. I tried all the usual stuff – rest, ice, those over-the-counter creams. Nothing really touched it.
I saw my regular doc, got referred to a physical therapist. Did all the exercises, religiously. Some days it felt a bit better, then it would just come roaring back. It was super frustrating, felt like I was just going in circles. Everyone was nice, but no one seemed to be able to pinpoint what was really going on or offer a solution that stuck.
Stumbling Upon a Name: William Dillon MD
So, I started doing my own digging, you know how it is. Talking to friends, endlessly searching online for specialists. It’s a jungle out there. Then, a colleague of mine, she’d had some complex knee issues, mentioned she’d had a really good experience with a specialist her own doctor recommended for a second opinion. She couldn’t remember his first name initially, just “Dr. Dillon, the orthopedist.” After a bit of back and forth, she recalled it – William Dillon MD. She said he was thorough, really took the time to understand the whole picture.
At that point, I was willing to try almost anything. So, I looked him up. Getting that initial appointment wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, let me tell you. His office was clear: new patient consultations had a bit of a waitlist. But I figured, if he’s good, he’s probably busy. So, I got on the list and waited my turn.
The Actual Process: Getting In and Seen
The day of the appointment finally came. His office was, well, an office. Nothing super fancy, but it was organized, which I immediately appreciated. The staff were efficient, got my paperwork sorted pretty quick. I wasn’t left stewing in the waiting room for an eternity, which is always a big plus in my book. You know how some places make you feel like your time doesn’t matter? Wasn’t like that here.
When I finally got called back, the initial intake was done by a nurse or a PA, who was very detailed. Asked a ton of questions, not just about the shoulder, but my overall health, my work, my lifestyle. It felt like they were genuinely trying to build a complete picture, not just rushing to the main complaint.
Meeting Dr. Dillon: The Consultation Itself
Then Dr. Dillon came in. First impression? Calm, focused. He didn’t just glance at the chart and start talking. He sat down, made eye contact, and basically said, “Alright, tell me everything from the beginning, in your own words.” And he actually listened. I mean, really listened. He didn’t interrupt, just let me get it all out – the pain, the frustration, what I’d tried, what hadn’t worked.
Then came his questions. They were specific, insightful. He had me move my arm in certain ways, pinpointed exact areas of tenderness I hadn’t even properly articulated myself. It wasn’t just a quick poke and prod. It felt like a proper investigation.
Here’s what really stood out for me during that whole interaction:
- His patience: He didn’t seem rushed at all. I felt like I was the only patient he had that day, even though I knew that wasn’t true.
- Clear explanations: When he started talking about what he suspected, he used simple language. No overly complicated medical jargon that goes right over your head. He even drew a little diagram of the shoulder to show me what he thought was going on.
- Collaborative approach: He laid out a few options for diagnosis and treatment, explaining the pros and cons of each. It felt like we were making a decision together, rather than him just telling me what to do.
Finally Getting Somewhere
He suspected a specific type of tendon issue, possibly with a small tear, that wasn’t obvious on the initial checks I’d had elsewhere. He recommended a more detailed scan to confirm. And sure enough, when the results came back, he was spot on. It was such a relief to finally have a concrete diagnosis!
From there, we discussed a treatment plan. It wasn’t a magic bullet, involved some targeted therapy and a very specific set of exercises, different from what I’d done before. But this time, because I understood the ‘why’ behind it, I was much more committed.
My Big Takeaway from All This
It took time, and the recovery wasn’t overnight, but things started to improve. Really improve. That deep, nagging ache finally began to subside. Looking back, the whole process with William Dillon MD was just… different. It wasn’t just about his medical knowledge, though I’m sure that’s top-notch. It was about the way he practiced medicine. The listening, the thoroughness, the clear communication.
So yeah, that was my practical experience. It taught me a lot about advocating for myself and the importance of finding a healthcare professional who really takes the time to understand what’s going on. It’s not always easy to find, but when you do, it makes all the difference. This whole journey with my shoulder, and finding Dr. Dillon, was a solid reminder of that.