The
clinic had called my office and left a message for me on Friday
afternoon. Of course I didn't go to work on Friday or Monday, so didn't get the message until this morning! The clinic has both my home number and the office number, but it seems that they
never fail to call the house when I am at work and the office when I am
at home! I'd give them my cell phone number, except I have an old, flip phone on which neither daughter nor I can figure out how to set up voice mail! As a result, no one can leave me a message, which would not do. I was going to get myself a smart phone, last year, but changed my mind. Maybe I need to reconsider that decision.
All
the message said was to call them back, so, I called this morning.
They have scheduled me for a doctor's appointment on September 29, presumably in
response to the surgeon's request for pre-op. tests. The appointment was not with my
regular doctor, either, but one of the other doctors at the clinic. Which would have been OK, except I've had a couple of bad experiences when I've had them change doctors on me, with the new doctors wanting to change some of my medications which work, but are older versions which, unfortunately, cause my symptoms to get worse, not better!
But the 29th would not have worked, because the
surgeon's office note stated that they need the reports of the tests back
by September 30th! When I told them that, the girl making the appointments
said that was the earliest day they could fit me in because the doctors were busy. She suggested that I call the surgeon and explain to him.
I am generally rather laid back about these things. I know the clinic is busy and the staff is trying to do their best to accommodate everyone. I usually accept the appointment dates they give and don't make a fuss about it.
But, today, I complained that my cancer was spreading while I waited for appointments. She then asked if I could hold for a minute and probably spoke with someone in the office; when she came back on the phone, she asked if I could come in on Thursday afternoon for an appointment with my regular doctor. I said, "Yes". It's better than waiting till the 29th. Squeaky wheels do get oiled!
I don't know why the doctor needs to see me before writing up the referrals for the tests required by the surgeon, but I suppose she is prohibited from writing referrals for tests without seeing the patient to prevent, or, at least minimize, accusations of medical malpractice and insurance fraud. I am assuming she will write up the referrals after she's seen me and will put in the requests for authorization and then, once approved, I will be scheduled for those tests. It will take some time - probably at least another week, if not more. And then, there will be another few days' of waiting before the X-ray is scheduled. The blood tests will probably be done right away at the clinic. I don't know if I'll have to go somewhere else for the EKG.
So, as you can see, we are inching along. My mother used to say that slow and steady wins the race. This is certainly slow. Hopefully, it is steady, as well! I've a race against cancer to win! :)
In other news: I left the iron plugged in and switched on low overnight, again! Did that a couple of nights ago, too! My goodness! Fortunately, nothing happened, but that was a potentially dangerous thing to do! I really, really need to be more mindful! Between the fridge door being left ajar and the iron being left on, it's easy to see I've been distracted of late!
I am generally rather laid back about these things. I know the clinic is busy and the staff is trying to do their best to accommodate everyone. I usually accept the appointment dates they give and don't make a fuss about it.
But, today, I complained that my cancer was spreading while I waited for appointments. She then asked if I could hold for a minute and probably spoke with someone in the office; when she came back on the phone, she asked if I could come in on Thursday afternoon for an appointment with my regular doctor. I said, "Yes". It's better than waiting till the 29th. Squeaky wheels do get oiled!
I don't know why the doctor needs to see me before writing up the referrals for the tests required by the surgeon, but I suppose she is prohibited from writing referrals for tests without seeing the patient to prevent, or, at least minimize, accusations of medical malpractice and insurance fraud. I am assuming she will write up the referrals after she's seen me and will put in the requests for authorization and then, once approved, I will be scheduled for those tests. It will take some time - probably at least another week, if not more. And then, there will be another few days' of waiting before the X-ray is scheduled. The blood tests will probably be done right away at the clinic. I don't know if I'll have to go somewhere else for the EKG.
So, as you can see, we are inching along. My mother used to say that slow and steady wins the race. This is certainly slow. Hopefully, it is steady, as well! I've a race against cancer to win! :)
In other news: I left the iron plugged in and switched on low overnight, again! Did that a couple of nights ago, too! My goodness! Fortunately, nothing happened, but that was a potentially dangerous thing to do! I really, really need to be more mindful! Between the fridge door being left ajar and the iron being left on, it's easy to see I've been distracted of late!
- There is a doctor's appt. scheduled for this week, not next!
- I'll be seeing my regular doctor who is familiar with my case, not a new doctor.
- Hardworking clerical staff who do try their best to accommodate "squeaky wheels".
- The food in the fridge didn't spoil (even the milk was fine).
- There were no consequences from leaving the iron plugged in and switched on.
How was your day? What were you grateful for, today?
I'm happy you were able to switch your appointment for an earlier time with your regular doctor.
ReplyDeleteBe careful with that iron!
Jess, yes, I need to make sure I unplug the iron after I finish using it. Need to make it a point to go around the house making sure things are switched off, etc., before I go to sleep and before I leave the house.
DeleteYou're going to need a smartphone. May as well get it now so you can get used to using it. I love mine. I have a Galaxy Note 2, and my daughter's getting me a newer one because the battery is slowing down. I don't even have a landline.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was just talking to daughter about getting one. :)
DeleteSo happy you got an earlier doctors appointment. When you get a lot of doctors offices working on one common thing... they make it more complicated than necessary. ha.. At least you got them going in the right direction..
ReplyDeleteThe iron thing.. Oh, I am so bad to do this.. I went and bought me an iron, that cuts it self off , after so many minutes.. [I am still scared of it, It could mal function too.ha]
Have a blessed night.. Praying for you.
Judy, I am usually very good about unplugging things. But, lately, it seems I've been just a bit distracted. Need to concentrate on being in the moment and doing one thing at a time. Thank you for your prayers; they are much appreciated.
DeleteI'm so glad you stood up for yourself and didn't just settle for a later appointment. I'm glad that it will be your regular doctor that you will see, too. My goodness, what a lot of tests and palaver. I would have thought that they had had enough to go on already. Still, maybe things will look better than before on the latest tests. After all, we are all praying for you!
ReplyDeleteBushlady
Bushlady, thank you! I understand the need for all the tests. I have several chronic pre-existing conditions and am on medications for them. I think that makes the pre-op. tests a requirement. They need to make sure everything will be OK. The problem is the clinic I am currently going to. In hindsight, I should have chosen the other insurance option offered to me (through my employer), with a provider who have their own facilities. It's a long story, but when I first chose my health care provider, they, too, had their own medical facility and tests didn't require additional authorizations, waiting, going to different facilities, etc. But things changed over the years; the initial medical center was bought over by another and then, merged with yet another, etc., and through it all, I was reluctant to switch for one reason or another. I have the option of switching insurance plans, again, this October - with the change taking effect as of January 1, 2016. But...I will be in the middle of my cancer treatments, then. And I am, once again, reluctant to switch plans and providers in the middle of treatment. Sigh. So hard to decide what to do.
DeleteThought you might like a chuckle, Bless ... While preparing dinner recently, I heard a very soft but persistent bell ringing sound. For the life of me I couldn't determine where it was coming from. At first I thought it might be a little kitchen timer in a drawer. Finally, I realized our fridge has a "door ajar" alarm!!! LOL! It's fairly new and I guess I should probably familiarize myself with its features. haha!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, that's a neat feature! I would have been wondering what the sound wa, myself! :D
DeleteIt's unfortunate that the whole business of insurance creates problems. I hope that it will become clear to you whether or not to switch everything in October. ((((Hugs)))).
ReplyDeleteBushlady
Thanks, Bushlady. At least I have insurance; I'm grateful for that.
DeleteWhile I fret about what's happening, I hesitate to respond for fear of raising your BP.
ReplyDeleteKudos and congratulations on yet another superlative review which I hope results in a bonus [if given] and annual increase reflecting your value to their organization.
If it can deflect focus for a bit, I suggest researching what you need and and will use in a smart phone at what cost. The variances are astounding and reflected in the cost factors but it takes resolve to make it an effective and efficient tool. Unfortunately you've just replaced land phones at the very point I'd ask you to switch to mobile service. It's only worthwhile if you're willing to commit to learning and using nearly all the features, like [free] apps,responding to e-mails, on-line financial manager, relinquishing control to your administrative assistant that monitors your day and moves you forward, tracks meds, pings to remind you, calendar, forms-in/forms-out, reference material, 'how to,' You Tube,' entertainment, GPS and so much more...
I'd liken it to the change over we witnessed in our time in China from bicycle as the popular form of personal transportation to cars with ghastly increases in costs, skill, learning and planning. My experience likens it to switching from typewriter to current laptop. I know you like to hand stitch while I look at the new sergers and wonder how I could justify the cost.
Perhaps discuss options with DD putting up with short comings of the current flip phone for no ongoing, monthly cost of Android iPad sized to fit handbag or handbag to fit device.
Please know how much I value your friendship and observations, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
PS add a few page protectors to binders to control forms
Hon, thank you for your comments; I really appreciate you taking time out from your own recovery to worry about me. Please don't get upset fretting about my situation.
DeleteUnfortunately, the evaluation won't lead to any bonus or raise. There are no annual increases. :) I work for the public sector - we had a mandatory pay reduction, several years ago, during the economic downturn and salaries have been frozen, more or less, since then.
Thanks for all the info. about the smart phones. Maybe I'll buy DD a new phone and use her older smart phone! And thanks for suggesting the page protectors. I am thinking that one or two tabbed dividers might be a good idea, as well.
Hope all is well with you and take care of yourself.