The behind the scenes story

Thank you, thank you, thank you all, for all the support. It's good to know that I'm not being hysterical or crazy and that it is reasonable for me to be upset about these things.  I dropped my letter off at the doc's office when I went in for Monday's NST. I am still waiting to hear back.

When I went to the hospital for my NST last Friday afternoon I was still so upset about my scheduling problems from my regular OB exam appointment two hours before.  So much so that I confided in the nurse who was doing my test. 

I was in one of those states where I couldn't smile -- something that is unusual for me except when I'm really upset.  So I guess I was trying to explain to the nurse why I was so unfriendly.  I told her about my recent scheduling problems at the OB practice and about some of the other problems I'd had there that I mentioned in that letter. 

She was very sympathetic, and that made me feel better.  You see, when I've expressed surprise or dismay to the person at the front desk when they've told me they have no appointments for me, they look at me blankly as if they don't understand why this is upsetting.   If I felt someone understood and was working for my cause it would be less upsetting. But no one seems to get it.

Anyway, the nurse told me that the big problems at my practice started at the beginning of May when another OB practice disbanded and two of those doctors joined the practice I've been going to. One of those doctors was extremely well liked by patients and hundreds of them followed him to my new practice.   Apparently more followed him than the practice could reasonably accommodate. The nurse said that I was not the first person to express frustration with scheduling problems and communications problems at the practice.

She said that they lead doctor/partner in the practice had been receptive to hearing about the complaints. After all, the reputation of his practice was at stake.  That's what made me decide it was worth it to send the letter (and not just write it as a way of documenting the problems while at the same time venting my anger).

The nurse at the hospital also gave me a list of other doctors who she said were good.  As far as recommendations go I think that the nurse at the hospital's prenatal testing center is a good person to go to to get this kind of info.  (The current practice having been recommended by the agent who sold us the new house. Her daughter went to this practice.)

So I'm going to give the lead doc at the current practice a few days to respond, then I will call these other OB practices -- there are two, and both are half the size of the current practice -- and see if I can get a sense for how they would be.  You know, I'm looking for someone who cares.

Meanwhile, when I went into the doctor's office for my NST on Monday I also voiced my distress to the nurse who performed the test.  She recommended asking the front desk again about appointments with Dr. P and during the week of July 4.  She said I should try to be nice to them. (And, shit, I'm usually really nice.  But I've worn out nice, in this case, and am at the point where I feel like I shouldn't have to kiss up to anyone to get what is considered the standard of medical care.)

But niceness or "no nice" (as Jack now says) aside, I did ask the front desk about these appointments, and I actually GOT an appointment the week of July 4.  The week after that I got an appointment with Dr. P.  Now, granted, the appointment with Dr. P is 40 minutes away.  But, hell, it's an appointment, and the only one I will have with her before my c-section.   That is, if I don't get my current fondest wish of having NEW GUY delivered by a toll taker on the PA turnpike instead.  (So tired of all the jumping through hoops. I bet the turnpike toll taker wouldn't even charge me the toll... or take a photocopy of my insurance card...)

Comments

[Leggy]

Glad you are getting somewhere. But still, how totally frustrating. And if the new doctor had this many patients at his old practice, why is it overload for the current practice to accommodate his patients? I don't get it. Hope you get some resolution soon.

[Eva]

Of course you don't feel like smiling and being nice. The situation is really ridiculous and upsetting. I'm glad you feel okay about your next few steps, though.

Goodness, all you're trying to do is have a baby for crying out loud. The logistics and hassle are just immense for something so ordinary it seems.