Wednesday was a doozy of a day. I'm never sure what to think of Hump Day anyway. It's either good or bad but rarely something in between.
I woke feeling like I hadn't slept at all, possibly because it was almost true. I could feel the slow oncoming of something less than pleasant. I think I'm getting sick. It was destined to be a crumby day.
After arriving at work I decided to make an appointment with my doctor before I started feeling any worse, but... oh yeah! I don't have a doctor in this town. I asked a few girlfriends for advice and, after choosing a potential doctor, I called the women's clinic. (I was having a woman problem.)
(Note: As you read the following conversation, keep in mind that this smalltown girl is not used to waiting more than a day or two, if at all, to see a doctor about sudden symptoms of anything that ails me.)
Yes, he is accepting new patients, but he is booked for the next two months, the nurse said. Most of our doctors stay booked a month or so in advance.
Okaaay, I replied slowly. So what should I do, if I need attention now? It's not an emergency, but I'm sick. If I wait two months, it might become an emergency. Should I call my family doctor?
Yes. That would be a good idea. And if he can't help you, he can refer you back to us, which might get you an appointment sooner.
How does anyone survive in these bigger cities? How does one deal with simple illnesses that likely require a simple prescription drug, but one must make an appointment months in advance as though, yes, I have an intuition that I will be sick on this day of this year? Even more frustrating is when I know which medication I need -- I've been around the medical block a few times -- but cannot get it without a written note, a.k.a. prescription.
I considered calling my doctor in my old hometown because he was always willing to help me immediately but I knew that, if he wanted to see me in person to confirm my self-diagnoses, it would be a ridiculous drive to make.
Eventually, I decided to see Hub during lunch break, if for no other reason than to cry in his arms. He was upset that I suddenly wasn't feeling well (like a good husband should be) and he was somewhat baffled to learn that making an appointment with an OBGYN was so difficult. Fortunately, Hub's regular doctor, whom he had known since he was a kid, is still nearby. We agreed to make him our family doctor, assuming my health coverage would be accepted. Phone number in hand, I said goodbye to my prince and headed out the door.
Only moments after I exited Hub's place of employment feeling slightly relieved, my car would not start. I heard a clicking noise that sounded like the starter, but nothing else happened. What the mother fudgecakes?! (No, I didn't actually say that.) Hub and a coworker/friend tried to jump start my car, but it didn't work, so Hub borrowed his friend's truck and took me back to work.
To make a long story short, my car needed a new battery. Thank goodness it wasn't something more expensive, although I will miss that $100 dearly. Apparently, we had not changed my car battery in nearly seven years -- August 5, 2005. And how do we know this? Because, as Hub reminded me, it happened the night before our wedding. Family and friends had gathered at the church hall that afternoon to decorate for the wedding, while my car sat in the parking lot plotting against us. That evening, when one of my bridesmaids and I attempted to leave, the car would not start. Thus, we (Hub, the bridesmaid, and I) were awake well past midnight trying to replace a corroded battery. And no, we were not well rested for the wedding, but we were living on love so what did it matter? Good times.
Also, as of this hot and humid Thursday morning, I finally have an appointment with our (new) family doctor only three days into these uncomfortable symptoms. I consider this a triumph. Now I pray that he can help me, rather than referring me back to the women's clinic.
It's all part of being an adult, I guess. Bummer.
I woke feeling like I hadn't slept at all, possibly because it was almost true. I could feel the slow oncoming of something less than pleasant. I think I'm getting sick. It was destined to be a crumby day.
After arriving at work I decided to make an appointment with my doctor before I started feeling any worse, but... oh yeah! I don't have a doctor in this town. I asked a few girlfriends for advice and, after choosing a potential doctor, I called the women's clinic. (I was having a woman problem.)
(Note: As you read the following conversation, keep in mind that this smalltown girl is not used to waiting more than a day or two, if at all, to see a doctor about sudden symptoms of anything that ails me.)
Yes, he is accepting new patients, but he is booked for the next two months, the nurse said. Most of our doctors stay booked a month or so in advance.
Okaaay, I replied slowly. So what should I do, if I need attention now? It's not an emergency, but I'm sick. If I wait two months, it might become an emergency. Should I call my family doctor?
Yes. That would be a good idea. And if he can't help you, he can refer you back to us, which might get you an appointment sooner.
How does anyone survive in these bigger cities? How does one deal with simple illnesses that likely require a simple prescription drug, but one must make an appointment months in advance as though, yes, I have an intuition that I will be sick on this day of this year? Even more frustrating is when I know which medication I need -- I've been around the medical block a few times -- but cannot get it without a written note, a.k.a. prescription.
I considered calling my doctor in my old hometown because he was always willing to help me immediately but I knew that, if he wanted to see me in person to confirm my self-diagnoses, it would be a ridiculous drive to make.
Eventually, I decided to see Hub during lunch break, if for no other reason than to cry in his arms. He was upset that I suddenly wasn't feeling well (like a good husband should be) and he was somewhat baffled to learn that making an appointment with an OBGYN was so difficult. Fortunately, Hub's regular doctor, whom he had known since he was a kid, is still nearby. We agreed to make him our family doctor, assuming my health coverage would be accepted. Phone number in hand, I said goodbye to my prince and headed out the door.
Only moments after I exited Hub's place of employment feeling slightly relieved, my car would not start. I heard a clicking noise that sounded like the starter, but nothing else happened. What the mother fudgecakes?! (No, I didn't actually say that.) Hub and a coworker/friend tried to jump start my car, but it didn't work, so Hub borrowed his friend's truck and took me back to work.
To make a long story short, my car needed a new battery. Thank goodness it wasn't something more expensive, although I will miss that $100 dearly. Apparently, we had not changed my car battery in nearly seven years -- August 5, 2005. And how do we know this? Because, as Hub reminded me, it happened the night before our wedding. Family and friends had gathered at the church hall that afternoon to decorate for the wedding, while my car sat in the parking lot plotting against us. That evening, when one of my bridesmaids and I attempted to leave, the car would not start. Thus, we (Hub, the bridesmaid, and I) were awake well past midnight trying to replace a corroded battery. And no, we were not well rested for the wedding, but we were living on love so what did it matter? Good times.
Also, as of this hot and humid Thursday morning, I finally have an appointment with our (new) family doctor only three days into these uncomfortable symptoms. I consider this a triumph. Now I pray that he can help me, rather than referring me back to the women's clinic.
It's all part of being an adult, I guess. Bummer.
awwww... I hope today is better for you! I hate when I have those kinds of days.
ReplyDeleteAnd finding a new doctor sucks. I had to book a physical with my new doctor 3 months in advance.
Eh. Sounds like yesterday was a bear for you. At least it was just a battery, and if the doctor you're going to is one of the ones I'm thinking of, then he should be able to help you some.
ReplyDeleteI've learned when you need to get into a women's clinic for something more urgent than a yearly exam, you have to let them know exactly how important it is to see you right away.
I would suggest making an appointment at whatever women's clinic you want to use in the future for an exam, just to become a patient so you CAN get your foot in the door. You still need an OB/GYN for any and all things womanly that could come up.
I hope everything is OK and you got to see a doctor. The months long wait list to see a doctor is ridiculous!! What if it's serious?? They need to sort that nonsense out.
ReplyDelete