1/3 of the line waiting to get into the hospital at 5:30 am

I went to the hospital again Thursday to get a biopsy of a dark spot on my lungs. This is another test that has been ordered by one of the doctors before they start the treatment for cancer in my tonsils. Let me tell you about that experience!

 

We arrived and went to the area that was pointed out to us. They had me strip down to my undies and socks and pull on a surgical gown. My wife talked with the receptionist as I sat quietly and patiently next to her desk. Then the circus started.

 

I have a file that is at least 5 inches thick from the multiple times I have been there. The hospital even called a few days before the appointment to verify that I would be there. The doctor came in and as he was talking to my wife about the drugs I currently take each day, (I don't speak Spanish and he doesn't speak English). When she told him that one of them was Plavix the circus was about to kick into high gear.   

  

He asked Nuria when was the last time I had taken Plavix. She told him at 10 am the previous day. He looked a little alarmed and said that he wasn't sure if he could do the procedure because I had to stop taking it five days BEFORE this procedure. She explained that we were told that I could not eat or drink anything 12 hours before but no one said I had to discontinue the drug before. I could see the doctor mentally shrugging his shoulders in the gesture of it's not my problem.

 

He told her (us) that he would make a phone call to verify that he could not do the procedure. Please have seat, this won't take long. Boy, was he wrong!! After waiting 30 minutes we ask if there was an answer and by the way, what happened to the doctor. The receptionist said he was in a meeting. A MEETING!! WHAT??? Do you have to call a meeting to make a phone call?

 

A short time later we saw the doctor and he was consciously ignoring us. You know how the person will look your way and then quickly divert their eyes. I had Nuria call out to get his attention. By this time over an hour had passed. He told us that he had turned the situation over to his boss and was waiting for an answer. Oh, he also said that his boss WAS IN A MEETING!! I immediately got pissed. I'm sitting here waiting for a simple answer to a simple question and those in charge of my time is IN A MEETING! 

 

15-20 minutes later I put my clothes on and ask my wife to tell the receptionist to reschedule the appointment. The receptionist said she could not because she didn't have access to his schedule. W-H-A-T?? About this time I'm about to throw a hissy fit. But instead, I told Nuria I was going outside for some fresh air.

 

She came out and we went to the pharmacy there on the grounds. As we were leaving the young fellow from the doctor's office caught up with us and told Nuria the doctor wanted to see her. She went and met with two doctors. They told her I was to have the procedure in a different hospital, closer to home, but first, they wanted her, the doctor, to determine why I was still anemic. That has to be fixed before the procedure can be performed. I'm pulling my hair out. I'm handling the cancer OK, but these doctors are driving me crazy. I'm beginning to wonder if they know their arse from a hole in the ground. This is not the only time that I have found myself in the middle of this circus. I have been dealing with it for 3 years.

 

I have a bad heart. Possibly they are just trying to put me in cardiac arrest and then into the cremation vase so they can wash their hands of me and seek out their next  victim, I mean patient.    

Just get in line, we'll be with you when we are damn good and ready.

See above photo