"Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, His wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:23-30

Monday, January 13, 2014

This morning

I called the Dr's office this morning. When the receptionists answered I realized I had no idea what I was going to say. I had to throw out several options before lamely saying:

Me: Um, Hi, I need to make an apt to see Dr. So and so.

R: OK, what is your name?

Me: Name

R:Birthdate?

Me: Birthdate

R: And what kind of apt is this?

She had me there. I have no idea.

Me: Um, I'm not sure. I'm having a miscarriage right now.

R: Oh MY! (furiously hitting some keys.)

Me: It's my 5th one in a year.

R:What?! Oh! Um! Five?! Are you serious?!

I was relieved I wasn't the only one flustered and unsure what on earth to do.

She blurted out the word "triage" and I was transferred.

Convo 2:

R: Can I help you?

Me: (sigh) Um, yea, I need an apt w Dr so and so and they transferred me to you.

R: What is this apt for?

Me: I'm having a miscarriage.

R: Does your Dr know?

Me: No. The babies keep dying before I can make an apt.

R: BabIES?

Me: Yea, this is my 5th in a year.

R: OH MY!

Me: sigh. (I hate this. I just wish I could live a normal life doing my normal vocation again that doesn't involve everyone's "Oh MY!"s. )

R: When did this start? How are you feeling?

Me: Friday. I woke up in a lot of blood. I'm OK. I'm just tired. I lost a lot of blood.

R: OK, Dr so and so is out until 1. I will talk to her and call you back as soon as possible. And...I'm sorry. I don't know what to say.

Me: It's OK. It kind of feels normal after a while.

R: How old are you?

Me: #

R: Oh my, you're so young.

 

Me: Thanks. 

And that's what it's like to call for a Dr's apt when you've had 5 miscarriages in a row.
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2 comments:

  1. EweJanuary 13, 2014 at 12:43 PM

    After my experience I told dh that if I ever have to return to work I want to be a receptionist in an OB office. Or even better to be the bookkeeper for an OB. I have left the office in tears when they insisted I pay the full price for the first prenatal visit when I knew that was the last prenatal visit there would be in that pregnancy. I refuse to be an ultrasound tech though even though I once had to offer tissues to the tech during my ultrasound.
    Once you get into this doctor you will learn the nurse's name. Then you can skip the receptionist and just ask to speak to the nurse. Trust me, the nurse will remember you and you won't have to have this conversation with her more than once.
    And that's what it's like to have the system down for dealing with the doctor's staff after multiple miscarriages.
    Learn from my experience: Take your checkbook to your appointment and remember the nurse's name.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelroseJanuary 13, 2014 at 6:41 PM

    :( I'm so sorry you have to be in this awful club too. Christ keep you dear sister.

    ReplyDelete

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