I’ll tell you: some people just have a lot of nerve. Last Thursday, I had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for 7:00 p.m. I left my house at 5:45 so that I could get there on time, maybe even a little early; in fact I got there at 6:55, but the doctor had already left. WHAT?!!!!!! This appointment had been set by the doctor himself on December 17, 2012. Of course, I didn’t know he had already left until almost 7:30, because no one was manning the desk until that time. When the assistant finally showed up, she informed me of the good news. She very kindly gave me a Metrocard for the bus as well as an appointment for the next morning. Since I was there for the appointment at the appointed time, she set the time for what was convenient for me; I chose 10:00 a.m. She also wrote a note saying that I HAD GONE TO THE APPOINTMENT.
I got up early so I could get everything done I needed to before I left, then left the house at 8:45. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to get to both bus stops just in time to catch each respective bus. Ten minutes before arriving at the clinic, I received a phone call – from home; my roommate told me that the doctor had called to let me know that he would not be in his office that day. WHAT?!!!!!! Nice time to let me know—after I had already left. The bad thing was that I REALLY needed to see the doctor; I had run out of my meds, and I needed him to sign and fax a paper to my insurance company so that I could have my insulin paid for. I really needed this. NOT.
I went up to the doctor’s office anyway, and since I needed to renew the prescriptions they said they’d put me with a different doctor, who’d see me ASAP. Right. Keep in mind that I got there at 9:50. At 12:30, they told me I’d be seen at 1:00. Well, to make a very long story short, I got out of there at 4:00, with a new appointment for June 21 (I’m going again Thursday, because I still need to have those papers signed).
All over, right? WRONG! And talk about nerve! Today, I got a letter from the clinic saying that I MISSED THE APPOINTMENT! HUH?!!!!! ME? That takes a lot of nerve, saying that I missed the appointment and that I have to set up a new one (which would probably be in October).
As I said, some people have a lot of nerve!
Luckily I've never had that happen to me but yes, some people have a lot of nerve. I hope you gave them a piece of your mind for that letter.
ReplyDeleteWill do tomorrow--he isn't in the office today. Thank you.
DeleteOh Mary I am so very sorry! I can relate to this post so well, more than I could begin to explain! My husband and I are selling our home in New Mexico and moving back to Colorado to live near our children and grandchildren. We love New Mexico, but the medical system is worse than what you might find in a third world country--seriously, worse. It is so bad that last week I called the New Mexico Governor's Office and explained my experiences. I don't know if if will change anything, but I feel better. I felt as if the doctors had literally stolen my voice, my right and ability to complain about being mistreated, and speaking with their Public Relations Officer made me feel empowered. If there is someone you can call and explain your situation to, I would suggest you do it. It may not changed the world, but it's possible they will think twice before mistreating people again.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have three blogs in the A to Z contest. You should stop by the other two. I'd love to know what you think and you could leave a link to your blog so my readers know you are here! The other two are Supernatural Television http://supernatural-television.com/ and Wild West History http://wildwesthistory.blogspot.com/
I hope your medical situation works out. Happy writing!
Thank you, I will take a look. I never see your posts about them, or I would have gone more often. I do one everyday, too, so you are also free to take a look. :D
DeleteThat's odd--this is the only post I've seen from you, too. I think this is part of the new Facebook thing, where Facebook decides which posts you will see. If you check in the bottom corner it tells you how many people see your posts and when I wrote about I Love Lucy, Facebook sent it to zero people. None. So I posted it a second time and they sent it to 20. That's why I recommend to people that they provide readers with a way to sign up as subscribers to their blogs rather than relying on Facebook. You can add gadgets to your blog so people are notified when you post.
DeleteBy the way, if I knew you were posting, I would have read your posts. I spend 1 1/2 hours each day reading other writer's blogs. I set that time aside just to read their blogs. It's part of the A to Z--you're supposed to read five other blogs, and I entered three blogs in the contest, so I read 15 blog posts per day.
DeletePoor Mary! That's inexcusable how they treated you so badly. So awful! I'm so sorry that happened to you. I sure hope you finally got in to see a doc and got those papers signed. Sometimes the medical profession baffles me with their indifferent manner treating people as if they're not that important. My doc often acts like he has a revolving door and whips me in and out in five minutes. I always have a list ready to tell him or I forget what I came for since he is in such a hurry. Here in Canada we have our problems with the medical system but I am grateful that we don't need insurance like the US. Must be so tough for those who don't have insurance.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is supposed to have insurance, but they are getting more and more expensive and pay for less and less. I lived in Italy, where they had the same type of medical system as Canada, and it was great. Thank you for reading.
DeleteThat's just terrible, Mary! They really do have a lot of nerve. :-( As the previous writer said, our Canadian system isn't perfect, but, I've never experienced anything like that.
ReplyDeleteI had in mind to write a different subject, but then I got that letter. Boy, am I going to blow off some steam tomorrow when the doctor is in his office. Thank you for dropping by, Debbie. :D
DeleteThat would make me so mad! I would switch doctors. That is just rude and I would give them a piece of my mind. That does take a lot of nerve. I am appalled in your behalf. What are you to do when you need your medicine?
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
It's time to switch doctors.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com
How rude. Considering doctors are the first ones to say you have to cancel w/in 48 hours of your appt or be charged. I dumped a doctor b/c of her chronic lateness. It's unacceptable.
ReplyDelete