Smile

Ok, so I’ve sent my lab work via fax and via us mail to my endocrinologist. I’ve sent my lab work to my neurosurgeon’s assistant. Been trying to get my “re-evaluation” appointment set up a bit sooner. Don’t know if it will actually happen sooner (then November). Sometimes I think it would be easier to memorize the United States Constitution, than scheduling an MRI and 2 doctor’s appointments.

Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to have the doctors I do…. but I find myself almost having to apologize for taking up their (the doctors, desk clerks, nurse practitioners, & office managers) time. With traveling, obviously it’s nice to have a 30 in advance airline ticket, as well as making hotel rsvps, it cuts down the expense a bit. My endocrinologist’s office got back to me pretty quickly and is flexible with the neurosurgeon’s schedule. I have yet to hear from the neurosurgeon’s office.

When I call these offices, I get the feeling I’m more of an inconvenience. When in reality, I should be viewed as the client. I mean, if it weren’t for people like me…. these guys wouldn’t have 3 homes, be driving porches, mercedes and BMW’s (which around our house are known as bowel movement wagons, heh heh).

When talking to the endo’s office, after getting the sense of being a not so high of a priority…. I literally stopped her and said, “Listen, I know you run people in and out of here like cattle. I know you see alot of people with tumors… but this is my first brain tumor. I know you’ve probably had a very long day. But your long day can’t even come close to the last 3 years I’ve had. Can you please help me out, and make this appointment happen? Who’s running this show? Is it your office? The neuro surgeon’s office?… or is it me? Remember me? the patient??” I just want to find out if this thing is shrinking, growing, or what???

I’ve tried dazzling these people with my charming personality …. I’ve tried being direct…. I’ve tried being assertive (to the point of being pushy). After another year of religiously taking my medication, after another year of being grateful just to stand up-right some days, after another year of being a human lab rat, after another year of making jokes about my hair (or lack of it)…. I think , at the very least, I deserve an “atta-girl”. Or maybe just a “thank-you” would be nice, after paying my $250.00 office visit, that usually lasts about 15 minutes.

In the meantime, I wait….

Smile