Medical Etiquette
So, two weeks ago I went to get a check-up. Hadn't had one in about three years, and I knew there were one or two things to look out for, but when got a call last Tuesday that my doc wanted me to come in and talk about something I didn't know I had I started to get worried. Of course, the nurse said, before we got off the phone, "it's not cancerous." That didn't make me feel any better, so I did some internet searches on the growth I was told I had, with the vague information I was given, and it turned out that some of the complications of this thing included infertility, miscarriages, pain, heavy bleeding, etc. My anxiety started to increase. Why would my doctor call me in to talk about something that wasn't a big deal, right?
I wavered about telling my family. Finally I told my sister and my mom. Sis wanted to come with me. I said no, since I thought she would get bossy and I didn't really want to deal with that, too.
Yesterday I went to the doc (and took the afternoon off, just in case...and because I worked over 15 hours on Friday), and she said it wasn't anything to worry about. I told her that next time there's something that's not a big deal to please get on the phone right away, that she scared me. She apologized. So, today I'm thankful for having relatively healthy reproductive organs and frank discussions with my new doctor. And for not crying really hard in front of her.
I'm glad to hear you are okay!
"Bedside manner" to me is about the most important thing to me in a doctor. It's amazing to me that so many of them are so bad at it, and it's a shame that there doesn't seem to be a way to know about this until after you've already picked a doctor. I've probably had a dozen doctors, and each time you have to pick a new one, they want you to do it over the phone knowing only the doctors' names and where they went to school.
I had a good one and she just retired, so I have to try to find one again. Is there a "rate your doctor" site, you know like Amazon or Netflix... "Since you enjoyed Dr. Cooperstein, we recommend _____"
<img src="http://www.geocities.com/dr_benway_tangier/William-S-Burroughs-w-gun.jpg">
sorry, I will cease all future Naked Lunch humor immediately.
<img src="http://cambridge.photobooks.com/photos/3123590.jpg">
Either way, I don't think I'll get any better care elsewhere; I just need to remember to make a list of questions before I see a doc again.
<strong>Doctor</strong>: <i>There's something wrong with you. You'll have to take some pills </i>(scribbles something on a pad).
<strong>Patient</strong>: <i>OK.</i>
And, of course, there is the culture shock:
<strong>Pamsterdam's doctor</strong>: <i>There's something wrong with you. You'll have to take some pills</i> (scribbles something on a pad).
<strong>Pamsterdam</strong>: <i>What's wrong with me? What are the possible ramifications of this malady? Which tests have confirmed that diagnosis? Can I have a second opinion? Which pills are your prescribing? What side effects should I expect? What are the alternatives to taking the pills? How long will I need to be on these pills? When is my next check-up to see how the pills are working?</i>
<strong>Pamsterdam's doctor</strong>: <i>Please go away now.</i>
Doctor: There's nothing wrong with you.
Miriam: Then why am I in excruciating pain and I can't breath normally?
Doctor: (Crazy-finger twirl to the side of his head)
At least my doctor here was willing to talk with me. Sorry for your crap, unfeeling docs there!
When I told my boss last spring about my mother's illness, she patted my hand, told me how sorry she was, and asked me if I'd like her to tell our colleagues so I wouldn't have to. I thought that was really sweet of her, y'know, offering to e-mail the office to inform them of my situation. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness, stood to leave her office, opened the door, felt her standing at my side, and heard her say (in a loud, clear voice):
<i>"Everyone!"</i> All eyes turned toward us. <i>"Pam's mother has a terminal brain tumor."</i>
Then she patted me on the shoulder as I stared at the opposite wall in abject horror.
Pretty hilarious in hindsight.
May all your future medical dealings be frank and friendly. And healthy.
I think Spike Lee recognizes D.W. Griffith as a talented filmmaker despite the subject matter of his films.
Also, at least on a pop culture level, it will be (momentarily?) Nationally relevant, so yeah, I'm curious.
I'm also curious to see if there is any blatant trickery in 'Sicko' on the level of 'Columbine' where he films a guy going into a bank on week 1 and then shows same guy going into a bank week 3 and getting a free gun while failing to show any time lapse or title card for the audience, which unfairly gives the bank a 'fast food drive through gun emporium' feel.
Things were bad enough: I had an x-ray by a guy who was on the phone, in a super creepy hospital, gave them plenty of blood samples (one of which they took to rule out pulmonary embolism...my roomie told me not to move at all after that, just in case), was not actually treated for anything (no oxygen or breathing treatment, which would have been a huge help), and my travelers insurance didn't cover it.
All in all it was no good. When they offered to keep me for observation overnight I said no thanks and got out of there as fast as I could.
The bizarre cabrides there and back are a whole 'nother story!
Is the finger twirl an international / universal gesture? I am certainly not trying to discount your tale, but I know certain finger gestures mean one thing in the US and something else entirely overseas.
Having said that, though, I am sure you are much more likely to interpret and understand Israeli hand gestures correctly than I would be.