MrsGrumpy's So Mad I Wanna Swear and Call Back Damn Nurse Rant.

[ScreamingMeemie]

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

I am so unbelievably angry that I am shaking!!!

A couple (read almost three) weeks ago, I was referred to a surgeon. This surgeon is preparing to attempt a surgery that I have needed for the past year. It's actually a redo of a horrendous job another surgeon did, leaving my stomach and esophagus in ruins. There's the background. Anyway, I need to have another 24 hour pH and mammometry test done. These are not pleasant. The nurse told me (then) that she was faxing the order over and that "Cory" would be calling me with a date and time for the test. Fine, that will give me time to psyche myself up for it, I think to myself. The next day comes and goes...then the next and then the next.... Then came the weekend. :grr: Blood starting to boil slightly. On Monday I call and speak to the nurse who interrupts me, tells me she remembers me, admonishes me that there are "other people" in line too, and that she didn't send it out right away, but sent it the next day. That I should be patient and that the word was NOW Cory would be calling me sometime during the week. (last week) I put up with the condescension and went about the wait. Nothing, nothing, nothing....So now, a week and a half after that call, I call today. Same nasty nurse. They'll "check into it" and call me back. She calls back and "oddly enough", Cory never received the fax. These things happen I should know, and that it really wasn't the fault of Cory because Cory never saw the order and blah, blah, blah...by this time my vision is somewhere nearing magenta. I ask how much time I should be put into waiting for something that I was told would take two days to set up. Only to be told that "You don't understand" Cory never got the order. I ended with, "I don't give a flying fuck. I am sick, puking after every meal...waiting for a test that takes a month to get the results on...promised they'd have them by the first of December...now it will be the end of blessed December before they even get the fuckers back, and we were planning on doing the scary surgery from hell while my husband was off work because the hospitalization time is 10 days to two weeks. For flying freeper's sakes! Have they no shame???

**Cory just called...His first question? "Do you still have Blue Cross?"....gotta ensure that they'll get paid. :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[SeattleDem]

1. complain to "those who matter"

write a descriptive letter to Blue Cross and perhaps to the insurance commissioner to complain about this doctor's office. CC the doctor's office.

when the doctor's office sees that their negilgence is being publicized to those who have the power to stop payments, reconsider their inclusion as a provider etc, perhaps they'll shape up and even apologize to you.

and, good luck to you! Hope you are feeling better soon.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. Thank you SeattleDem. I just called my GP to rant as they wanted

me to go to a different surgeon than the one I like and am used to. :hi:

[NV Whino]

2. Rant away!

You deserve to. I have to go deal with my mother's doctor today. I'm not looking forward to it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. Thanks and good luck NV Whino!

:hi:

[Kali]

3. Take it easy

all that anger can't be helping gastro-esophageal problems! It really is horrible. I hate being involved in the medical system. You do have a few things going for you though. Sounds as if you do have insurance - be thankful for that and think about the millions who don't even have the CHANCE to get aggravated over the medical system - just have to live with whatever is wrong. Even though the ADMINISTRATORS of our "system" are hellish, MOST (not all, obviously) of the real caregivers are good professional people. In all likelyhood your problem will be resolved. Best wishes for that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Fuckity fuck. Our deductible is $5,000.

:hi: I want to live with what is wrong, but I've got kids. Work with me here. It's not about being grateful...it's about being PISSED OFF!


Sorry for unleashing.

[Kali]

7. yowch

totally understand - no prob. Still can't be good for ya to be so stressed. (though one almost has to get to the angry-irrational state for the bastards to wake up and pay attention, I know)

[MuseRider]

5. I'm so sorry.

I got out of nursing when the writing was on the wall. I have had several friends in the hospital since and I have not left their sides, it is frightening what it has become. Nurses do try, they do care for the most part until they no longer have the time to be what a nurse is meant to be and then it all becomes just a pain in the ass. I am not sticking up for this particular nurse. Nobody should ever be condescended to or treated in the manner you have. I am so glad I got out of it though I miss it very much. Hang in there and don't be patient with this particular group anymore. You are paying for it, you should absolutely get what you pay for. Well, actually if you got that they would have to put you up in an exclusive spa for your stay. I hope it works out for you. Again, I am sorry.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. I will say that Cory (from the testing dept) was very nice once I got

done with my rant. He understood and apologized on behalf of everyone in the state of Michigan basically. This particular hospital (the hosptial itself) has an excellent staff of nurses, mostly underpaid. It's the doctor's office itself where he's got about 10 nurses to check in patients and schedule procedures. :hi: Thanks so much Muse.

[MuseRider]

14. I wish you the best.

I almost self deleted this message after I posted it. There really is NO excuse for this kind of treatment. I do know the nurses are frustrated and it is only going to get worse from here. Yes, they are underpaid, they have always been underpaid. We were underpaid but I can honestly say I was never nasty or short with a patient. HAHA, easy for me to say. I worked in ICU, there was little complaining from my patients. Nursing has in many cases lost its soul but it is also no longer nursing in many cases. Let us know if you ever need anything. :hi:

[bearfan454]

10. They don't give a crap.

Profits over people at ANY cost, ANY.

[ScreamingMeemie]

16. I try to cut them slack, but this just went beyond in my book.

Hi bearfan!

[skygazer]

11. So sorry Mrs.Grumpy

Let me tell you my story and we can be pissed off together! About a year ago, I was seeing my doctor about my chronic migraines and it came up that I have a history of brain aneurism in my family. So she sent me for an MRI and told me she'd let me know if there was anything unusual there.

I went and had the thing and never heard anything from the doc and so assumed it had come back clean as she had expected. TEN MONTHS LATER, I called the office for some info on something else and the nurse asked me if I'd ever had the CAT scan that had been ordered.

Somewhat mystified, I said i wasn't aware that one had been so they sent me the order with no explanation over the phone or anything else. When I opened the envelope, I saw the CAT scan had been ordered right after the MRI and the reason for it was given as "possible 1 mm aneurism on cerebral artery".

Shaking with rage, I called the office and demanded to speak with the doc. I asked her why I was never told of this and why I'd never gotten the order (which was in my file and I'd visited the office on a number of occasions). She said, and I quote, "Well, this is a very busy office." !!!

I suggested that perhaps if they took fewer patients, they could take care of the ones they had, went and had the CAT scan (which was negative, thank god) and switched doctors. A possible fatal condition and they toss it off as "a very busy office." :grr:

I'm so sorry that you're going through this - it's so horrible to be dealing with illness and have to deal with idiocy at the same time. :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. I am so glad you were not the victim of careless negligence.

It is irritating to run up against this time and time again. Thank you for reading the rant. :hug:

[redqueen]

12. Oh I'm so sorry

From now on perhaps you should consider making yourself the pain in the ass patient, so that they'll actually do what they say they'll do. I work with a lot of people with this blase attitude and only constantly checking up after them seems to work.

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. Thanks redqueen. I tend to go about things in an apologetic way when

dealing with doctors and their offices. Perhaps I should get a little squeakier. :hug:

[LDS Jock]

13. want me to go beat up that nurse and Cory?

cause I'm ready to go fight 'em. I hate bad service, but especially when it is health related. This is our lives, don't they understand? Its not just someone forgeting to thank me for shopping at the local grocery store.

I'm sorry thing aren't going well :pals: I wish I could do something to help.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. I don't think they care anymore. I truly don't. Most times MrG comes

with me to support me. Once they told him, my husband, he couldn't come back with me in the ER. He told them bullshit basically. They realize they are a need and they abuse that. Your reply helps lds! :hug:

[LDS Jock]

22. your post reminds me of bad experience about year ago

I had some tests done. Diabetes runs in my family, so I decided to be tested for it, as well as have an HIV test too just to ease my mind. Well, a few days later, a nurse called with my results. She tells me both my results were positive. I'm completely silent, thinking I'm HIV positive and have diabetes now, and she goes, "Oh I'm sorry. I'm always doing that. I meant your results were good, you aren't HIV positive or have diabetes." I was pissed! I found NO humor in her little joke.

[Dookus]

15. Ugh...

just give me an address for the nurse. Tucker and I are on it. 'nuff said.

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. aww. Thanks Dookus, and Tucker too! How's the little guy doing?

Taming down a bit on the nibbling? Jessie is a mudpuppy today with all the rain. She will hate me on bath day.

[Dookus]

21. he's doin' great

yes, now he has all his adult teeth, so the nibbling is better. But...

I was doing pretty well keeping him off the couch (where he gets excited and insists on nuzzling me, pawing me, etc.) until the weekend, when I took a nap and came out to find Tucker sleeping on the couch next to my boyfriend. So now the "no couch" rule is out the window and I have to figure out a way to get him to settle down. Do they make doggie-Benadryl?

[ewagner]

23. Sorry Mrs Grumpy

I must have missed something because I didn't know you have to undergo surgery.....

I wish you a speedy and trouble-free recovery. Hope you have a laptop and wireless so you can make good use of the rehab time...on DU of course.

Like the sign on my pull-out drawer read: Don't let the crazy bastards drive you into the ground! Medical personnel are arrogant by nature, but back down pretty quickly when they know you won't be bullied.

best wishes to you :loveya: :hug: