a journey worth ending
Today was my follow up appointment with the neurologist I mentioned in “Quack Much?” and I have to say it went nothing like I planned. You see, someone who has been screwed over numerous time by there doctors itches for the ammo and opportunity to fight back. I was ready. I had it all planned out in my head. I was gonna march right on in there, let him talk, then speak my piece and be done with it. Shit. I got robbed of my moment of glory.
I walked into the office with my panties all in a bunch knowing that I had all the evidence in my corner. packed with my diagnosis in my purse, along with all of my test results, I couldn’t lose. How could I go wrong? So he strolls all in, just as I had remembered him from 3 months ago. With my chart in hand he sits in his stool and begins to turn red. Obviously seeing the radiology report that suggested I needed further testing, the radiology report he had yet to call me about or schedule testing on, the radiology report that thankfully had made it to my primary’s office. He looked up at me and apologized for being caught off guard, but apparently he had not been made aware from his nursing staff that my test had come back abnormal. Still in shock a bit, he preceded to show me how results are logged in and it showed clearly that a nurse had just put it in my chart, rather than notify him of the result. Hmmm. Well shit. He feels bad is now getting angry and asks how all the tests from my other doctors had gone.
When all was said and done, it is now charted that I have Graves disease-Hashimotos disease-Celiac disease-hypoglycemia-sinus disease- and degenerative disc disease. All of the symptoms are therefore explained and there is no need to be seeing him any further. He continued to apologize as he walked me to the scheduling desk for me to check out. He said he would be “handling” his staff. He shook my hand and walked away.
I walked out to the car feeling satisfied and then realized I had been robbed of the moment I had been gearing up for and looking forward to for quite some time. All’s well that ends well.
I’ll just kick my damn car!
I know the feeling. Especially when i have my exit all planned out. I have a thing for a grand exit.
Kicking your car is a good strategy. I usually throw things or mope, neither of which end well.
Feel Better Soon!
J
Thanks so much for reading! Grand exits are the best, although I hadn’t planned one out for today. Then I really would have been bummed
Once again you tell a tale that is oddly similar to my life experiences. I had a very negative experience with a certain neurologist, my test results were missed by his office and it was my internist (the person servicing as my main doctor at the time) that caught it. But unlike you, I just cancelled the appointment. His office staff did apologize to me for the missed results. And I thought long and hard about going back just to have my moment with him, but in the end it just wasn’t worth it to me. I despise going to the doctor, and have to do more of that than I like already. Also it was peak flu season and for my first visit I spent several hours crammed in a very tiny waiting room with a bunch of other people – most of which were coughing and/or sneezing. And given the fact that I have serious breathing issues on the best of days, I decided it just wasn’t worth going back just to confront him. I DID have that moment with another doctor in the past though, and I admit it was quite satisfying.
I’m glad you had a doctor that was kind enough to admit his/his staff’s mistake. Some have a God complex and think they are never wrong. When the truth is they are humans just like the rest of us and we all make mistakes sometimes. Some bigger than others. But nobody is immune.
Debbie,
I understand where you are coming from. There are many battles that just aen’t worth the effort. I have canceled many appointments in the past because the doctors offices were extremely incompetent. When my mother-in-law was told that I was about to go in and “fire” my doctor, she was confused. “You have to go in and do that?”, she asked. “I always just stopped going.”
Doctors do often make mistakes, and I am the prime example of that. I have to try to remind myself at times that they are “just human” like you mentioned. After all – they are just “practicing” medicine!
LOL! I know how you feel. I went through almost two years of invasive tests and no one could tell me what the problem was (except that it might be in my head… uh, really? I don’t think so!). To top it off, I was referred to a prostate cancer specialist when I don’t have a prostate – being a chick and all, and then I was referred to the most arrogant, self-important pr*ck to walk this earth. I decided to go for a 3rd opinion (yes, third!), and like you, I was ready to lay into the doc before I’d even met him, based on my previous experience. Sadly, he turned out to be a nice old guy who actually listens when I talk, and takes me seriously, Hallelujah!
So, how is that prostate of yours doing? I’ve decided that medical school is so overwhelming that it has driven all of these “doctors” crazy! You have to look hard but there are good ones still out there. I’m so glad you found one!
I just re-checked – still no prostate!
Sweet! That’s always good news! Gotta love them damn docs