Kan's wedding was great fun. Kan: Mazel Tov. And you will not be no-gifted. Which is to say, you will be yes-gifted.
However, I began to feel sick Sunday. It might have been something I caught on the flight out to LA the previous Friday, or perhaps I picked it up earlier. In any case, I had a 102 °F fever come Monday morning, and a bad sore throat. It was, unfortunately, the one day of the year I could not afford to miss work -- otherwise I would have stayed out west a bit longer. I sucked it up and drove to the office.
Monday night, I had a 104 °F fever. The next morning it was down to 101 °F, and since that time it has hovered around 100 °F. It's 100.6 °F now (Wednesday night). I still have a sore throat, and I feel like crap.
So this morning, at my Mom's insistence (something about bacterial blood infection), I tried to schedule an appointment with my physician. The first time I called I got the office answering machine. I left my name, condition, and asked them to call back as soon as possible so I could make an appointment. Three o'clock rolled around, and still no call-back, so I tried again. This time I spoke to a young woman who couldn't seem to remember my name or how to pronounce it. I explained my situation, that I'd had a fever and a bad sore throat for three days now, and I asked if I could get an appointment.
She told me they wouldn't be able to see me until some time next week.
"So if my condition becomes more serious before then, I should just go to the emergency room?"
The receptionist told me to hold on. After a few minutes, I heard a male voice.
"Yes?"
"Umm, is this Dr. M- ?"
"Yes."
"This is David Eisner, I'm a patient of yours, I don't know if you remember me ..."
"Yes. [name of receptionist forgotten] is going to give you an appointment for tomorrow."
"Thanks."
Somehow I came away from this experience feeling like I was at fault for demanding an earlier appointment. Do others get better treatment from their doctor's office?
Posted by cradle at March 23, 2005 7:47 PMI have never had such terrible treatment at any of my doctor's offices. I almost always wait until I need same day treatment. They usually reserve time for that!!
Posted by: Kim at March 23, 2005 8:35 PMBetter be a fine gift.
It was great to have you here. So happy you had a good time.
A shame your doctor's office sucks.
Posted by: kan at March 23, 2005 9:00 PMTime to outsource your doctor to a developing country where they will be happy to wait on you at any point for minimum wage.
Hah, just kidding! Well maybe.
Posted by: Tom at March 23, 2005 10:25 PMKidding on the square, I'd say.
Would I have to hold my own scrotum while I cough?
Posted by: David at March 23, 2005 11:30 PMOh no! I hope you'll feel better tomorrow.
The last time I needed to see a doctor because of an infection, they told me to come in right away. The doctor wasn't in that day because of snow, but the nurse gave me some antibiotics until I could come back and see the doctor two days later. That was really nice as she did not want me to end up in the emergency room if I couldn't get treatment right away. I really appreciated that as I know that doesn't happen very often.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 24, 2005 12:24 AMHey. Feel better. I want to mention 2 things.
First, I had some horrible french flu this winter and had to go to the doctor. I walked in, waited 5 minutes, had a brief exam, a prescription given, and then I paid the doc 20 euros. Two weeks later, I got the money back. Social health care can work, don't hold your own scrotum when you cough.
Also, my dad had a really bad bac. blood infection like 6 years ago. He eventually had to go to the emergency room and stay in the hospital for a week with bag of antibiotics stuck in his arm.
I hope you feel better. Demand a blood culture.
David, whatever we have is just miserable. I doubt it's a blood infection. Does your upper abdomen hurt from coughing? Mine does.
Posted by: Maureen at March 24, 2005 12:29 PMOh, and to answer your question: I am always treated like shit by my doctors. That's why I try to avoid them whenever possible.
Posted by: Maureen at March 24, 2005 1:20 PMDavid, because you're a good man, and I'm a trained professional, I'll hold your scrotum for you while you cough.
PS: Hi!
Posted by: ashton at March 25, 2005 1:12 AM