Thursday, December 31, 2009

Another appointment

Another appointment, another disappointment.

Another doctor (this time it's for Stanlee), another reminder call for a 9:30 visit, another perfect prep process, and an arrival time of 9:29.

Here we wait. 20 minutes past schedule. No emergency bump nor short staff. Why do I even try to commit to appointment times?
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Keeping Appointments

We have all see this on Seinfeld*, well maybe not everyone and I am specifically thinking of my doctor.

Last week I made an 8:00 Wednesday appointment to see my doctor. At that time he added me to his appointment book (witnessed by me) and even provided me a reminder card. This card was kept in plain view for a week in my car, nothing was keeping me from this appointment. Can you imagine where this is headed???

Tuesday morning I received a reminder phone from his office, I assured her that I would make my appointment time. My alarm clock was set for 7:00 am, just enough time to walk the dog, read the morning headlines, shower, and out the door by 7:53. The 5 minute driving time which includes the 1 possible red light would give me a 2 minute wait at the office.

Just as I planned, my entrance gave me 2 minutes to scan the month old magazines in the waiting room. My arrival was perfect, yet it appears my doctor had other plans.

When his head shot out into the waiting room requesting a few minutes I would be lying if I told you that surprised was not my immediate reaction. Secretly I was annoyed and wondering how long I would be asked to extend my patience. Overhearing his exam room interrogation revealed that he just started the process and that this appointment was nowhere near an emergency status. She better be real cute!!! (RG if you're reading this you know what I mean).

It was frustrating that as much as I planned for the perfect arrival there was a deflated feeling that the appointment at 8:00 fell short. As for the morning process there was nothing I could have done differently. Perhaps I could have called him before I left to remind him of my appointment time. Perhaps I could select another doctor.

He eventually did see me and routinely made another appointment including calendar addition and appointment card. I have one week to rethink the process.

*Seinfeld addressed reservations not appointments, I get that.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Warranty expired

After 40 the reality that your body's warranty expired becomes a reality. My visit with a Podiatrist provided this morning's wake-up call. Last Monday a new pain developed in the heel of my foot. Each morning and each step shot a pulsing pain up from my left heel. Great...a new pain...wtf? Today provided an explanation of my new discomfort; the stretching, pulling, and repair of my tendon was a new heel spur. Warranty expires & like clockwork maintaining the status quo now requires a series of steroid injections and a molded insert for my shoes. The first forty years of my life provided little preparation for the next set of forty. Perhaps I can blame this on my parents. What's next?!
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