Possum, sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with her. But I do feel compelling to write this post and want to say - if you feel that she has any value with regards to her expertise, her knowledge of TCM, go and see her with a single minded goal that she can fix your problem and don't take any negativity of how she worded the sentence.

I agree with Julie, because of the language barrier and culture difference, they can be very blunt and somehow you just need to build a barrier to filter the good and left the bad behind.

Also of knowing a bit more of asian culture, I know it is a common mentality in chinese medical profession, is 'always start with the worst senario' because they want to manage your expectation. Say if they find a tumor on a patient's ovary, they will start the diagnosis with if it is overian cancer, then eliminity down to the next possibilty. So sometimes it can be quite scarey but a bit shock to the system. But I do know that a good Chinese doctor is extremely focused and if the one you are seeing really knows her stuff, I don't see its a negative thing that point out the problem, that means she is able to fix it.

Asking her how she can improve your body and how long do you have to wait. Is she confident that she can fix the problem?

I hope you will get some benefit of seeing her...let us know how you go...