I had the most interesting Dr.’s appointment today…
You’d think, since all of this health stuff started back in July, I’d be prepared for just about anything. But, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for today.
You see, I was seeking more of a ’second opinion’ - and I let them know this right up front when I called. I told them that I had been seeing a Dr. here locally who I had lost faith in somewhat and I was looking to get a second physician to exam me, review the tests I’d had done and let me know his or her thoughts. I called LOTS of Dr.’s. Some flat out refused to do a second, because “We don’t do second opinions” (I have no idea why…) and some where really happy to help, but were booking out into November - and I guess that should have been the FIRST indication…thankfully *this* Dr. could get me in on Friday! Woo Hoo! Yeah…sometimes, available appointments just days away indicate…well…maybe they are available because no one else wants them? I dunno.
So, I get there, nice building - its new, clean and in the background…there is like this soothing, new-age instrumental score playing. There are big rocks for decor around bamboo shoots and a big wall sized water feature. Like I said…very nice. Very new age.
I go in, go up to check in and right away, I knew I was in for a treat. They ask me to fill in all of this paperwork with stuff I had already told them over the phone (that is so dang annoying!) and so I sit down to do it. It’s a stack of about three dead trees (totally NOT in line with their new-agey-waterfall-hippy motif they have going on in the office) so I get busy. Page one is easy - “Family History” - NONE! Adopted. The back is “Previous Surgeries” so I list the few I’ve had…and go on to page three. Page three is all the stuff they’d asked me on the phone (grr) so I fill it out…then I go to the next page…it’s a full page ad for the services they offer, which includes “Swedish Message” and “Hot Rock Message” and “Acupuncture”…fine, I know this stuff works, but right now…I need MEDICAL help.
The next seven pages are pretty much the same as the previous pages…ads for their services as well as ads for area business (huh!? You’re putting ads in the Dr.s office papers? Arg…)
I should have hightailed it out of there right then…but at this point, I think to myself “just hang in there…maybe you’ll be surprised!”. Sure enough, I was surprised all right.
I get back to the back (they’re quick, I will give them that!) and this PA comes in and says, “Ok, so tell me your medical history” - and I’m kinda irritated because I’d just brought them 37 pages of medical information from the last six weeks…so I start telling him what is going on with me…and he stops me and says, “Oh, no not what is going on now…I need to know your entire history. You’re not here for a medical appointment, you’re here for an interview to see if we’ll accept you as a patient!”
WHAT!? You charged me a $10 MEDICAL copay to see if you’ll even consider me for a patient?!
I look at him…shocked. I said, “But, I told the lady when I called that I needed a second opinion and help getting whatever wrong with me fixed” and he said, “Oh, well, we don’t treat or even DISCUSS (said with a copious amount of contempt) medical issues on the first appointment. This is a potential client (client, not patient) evaluation”.
I said, “Well then, let me help you out - I am not interested in being your patient, please give me my records!”
I stood up and looked at this guy and then it dawned on me that I’d paid $10 for his time - so I said, “And I’d like a refund as well!” and he’s aghast at this point, “We don’t DO refunds” - Oh yes you do.
I demand to speak to the Office Manager and sure enough - I get my refund. But I am livid! LIVID. I was VERY clear in my desires for this appointment!
To make matters worse…his name was “Bartley” - that alone made the appointment hard - because I had to keep myself from laughing the entire time (he wore a big flashy “BARTLEY” name tag…)
*Sigh*
So, today’s appointment didn’t go so swell. I almost punched Bartley in the face (angry some?) and I got ZERO percent further towards my quest for getting this stupidness resolved.
I can laugh now. I was not laughing then.
But, if you’d like to laugh…I have something for you: Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator
From this point forward, please refer to me as “Bush-Gator”. Thank you.
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Meet Brandy
Adoptee, Mom, First Mother and Wife, living, loving and writing about life as I see it.
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