I’ve learned something in the last few months that maybe some of you already know…
Don’t cross a medical receptionist.
For those of you who follow this blog, you know this pregnancy has been full of tests and medical appointments. Some of said appointments have been ’emergency’ or ‘spur of the moment’ appointments. Each time I show up to these unexpected doctor-dates, the receptionist gives me a really hard time. The first example is when I went in for an ’emergency’ NT scan for during my 12th week. The test has to be done during that week of gestation, so my doctor called the specialist and I was put on the docket as a ‘fit in.’ Upon my arrival, the receptionist asked if I had filled out my paperwork online. I told her I had not (I learned of the appointment 2 hours before and wasn’t told by the scheduling receptionist about the online forms). She got really huffy and said, “Well, why not? Now you’re going to have to fill them out now and we can’t call you back until they’re done. You’re going to end up waiting.” I really didn’t have the energy to fight back, but felt like saying, “You know what lady, I just found out 24 hours ago my baby is dying. Do you think you can back off?”
Another example is when I called last week to make an appointment with my new OBs office. He gave me specific instructions on when to come see him and seriously, I had just met him the day before. I called his office to make an appointment for the following week. Because I’m traveling a little over an hour (in traffic) for these appointments and I needed to see the sonographer downstairs the same day, I didn’t take the first appointment offered. At the end of the call when I said I needed to call downstairs and would call back to confirm, the receptionist said very haughtily, “Why don’t you make your appointments farther in advance?” I did have the energy this time and said, “Listen, ma’am, don’t yell at me please. I just met Dr. D yesterday through Childrens and I’m just trying to follow his instructions.”
“Oh” she managed to eek out.
My last example is from today. I went for my BPP. Apparently a nurse has to administer the test and she runs her own show. When she didn’t see a referral in my file she got flustered and they called me to the window. After telling them I had requested a referral and promised to walk one down that day from my upstairs appointment, she still wasn’t happy.
“I mean, I don’t even know why you need the test. I have no information.” she snapped.
I’m thinking, why do you need to know? Just do the test the doctor ordered. But who am I to say… so instead I say, “Are there any questions I can answer? Or is there anything I can do to help the situation?”
She looks at me and says, “Well, do you know why you need the test?”
I said, “Yes, my baby has a heart defect and they are tracking him to make sure they don’t have to take him out earlier than expected.”
“Oh” she said relieved. “Ok, you can come back to the room.”
Good grief!
Ok, so I learned these poor women cannot deal with the unexpected. They are running their offices like a tight-ship and the littlest change upsets them. I used to be much like this until about 3 years into my marriage to a very spontaneous man. So, I don’t fault them. The other thing I learned is that once they are over the initial shock, they are really quite friendly. In all circumstances, all three of these ladies became a wonderful ally on my second and subsequent visits, or in the last case, during my visit. She was extremely nice (it might have to do with the fact that my baby is experiencing complications, but hey, I’ll take it.) and accommodating. So, next time one of these ladies gets a little flustered, just give them a minute, treat them nicely, and you too will gain a valuable ally.
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (3)
good reminder, thanks! and thanks for the prayer requests on your left sidebar!
you would know, lol!
Thanks for the prayer request but I didn’t see a request for the sanity of the wonderful sister who will be caring for your darling girls. Maybe that’s because she lost it long ago!!
You know, I haven’t had a lot of things going on in my life but I had strep last week. The receptionist was not very nice to me and I wasn’t feeling very well, but when the doctor was walking me out and explained to the receptionist what to do she was so nice!
I have no clue what happened between then and the later point. But you’re right, be patient, kind and smile and everything will probably go more smoothly.
Still praying for you!