Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Your Tax Dollars At Work

I arrived at the surgery clinic at Our Lady of the Damned at 9:30 this morning for my 10:00 appointment. It was 4:00 when I finally saw a doctor. I spent most of that six hour wait standing because the clinic was so packed that those of us who had two legs stood so those with one or none could have the chairs. I couldn't read, or knit, or do anything except stare into space for six long dead hours. I couldn't even leave to get lunch because if they called my name and I wasn't there I'd lose my appointment.

At 4:00 I finally saw a doctor, the rudest MD I've ever encountered which believe me is saying a lot. And it turned out I'd been sent to the wrong damn surgery clinic: port removals are at the minor surgery clinic, not the family practice surgery clinic where my appointment was. So now I'm back to square one. Again. The minor surgery clinic is booked through the end of August, so it won't be any time soon. Maybe I'll have my port taken out in September or October. Or maybe they'll just keep giving me this assinine run around until I go insane with frustration and impotent rage. Which is pointless because the psychiatric beds are all booked solid through 2027.

Excuse me, I'm long overdue for collapsing on the bed and crying myself to sleep.

20 Comments:

Blogger Lisa said...

There are SO MANY things wrong with how you were treated today that I am inarticulate with indignation. About all I can think of to say is "ARRRGGGH!!" I am so sorry for your troubles.

5:50 PM  
Blogger divrchk said...

OMG. That is so wrong. I can't believe that you didn't deck the dick, I mean doctor... Who can we call and bitch for you?

5:58 PM  
Blogger Tsunami said...

Oh Liz, that is so unfair and wrong. I'm so sorry.

6:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

After all you have survived, that's just horrible, not being able to get a reward you so justly deserved. I am so sorry your port removal didn't happen. I'd also be happy to travel down and deck the dick of a doctor that was so rude to you!

6:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bastards!The world seems full of them today :(
On a note that hopefully helps you think of something else instead for just a few minutes - did you know that the greeks used to have clinics where you could go if you were sick so a dog could lick your wound better?
Maybe dog licks will help today - Eddie my pup sends some

6:48 PM  
Blogger Carol said...

I'm so sorry... :(

7:29 PM  
Blogger scotchneat said...

I'm sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how frustrated you are.

8:27 PM  
Blogger Rose said...

ARGH!!!
Please, write a letter of complaint to the administration of the hospital. Maybe, just maybe, the squeaky wheel will get the grease. Public hospital or not, this is unacceptable.

9:15 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

that. is. ridiculous. Gah.

10:21 PM  
Blogger cbahm said...

(Hi from a new reader, via Schmutzie) I am *so* sorry you didn't get the much-needed relief from your port today -- and to get dinked around like that today. How maddening. I hope you are somewhere you can see some beautiful fireworks and drink something cool and intoxicating tonight. Hugs.

10:46 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Gah. This is awful, and I really sympathise.

11:11 PM  
Blogger debinca said...

Well gosh darn it all to hell anyways. I am sorry to hear this news. debinca

1:14 AM  
Blogger -L said...

Liz, Liz, Liiiiiiiz! We are here.

We are also completely furious on your behalf, and hurting that something you were so looking forward to was taken away by the ineptitude of the people who should have KNOWN this and should have circumvented the problem in the first place.

I know you're probably tired of fighting this particular battle, as it's felt like getting a lot of nowhere. Can someone fight this particular section of it for you? One of your boys? Can someone get a message to the Good Oncologist or whoever referred you originally at our Lady of the Damned to see if he can pull strings? I understand that strings in such situations don't usually move much even when you do tug on them, but I want someone to fight with you. I'd do it if I knew you.

Liz, I'm so angry for you. I live without health insurance, too. I hate it. I've had some health scares, but no crises yet. I've been following your story since before you were diagnosed, and I am on the verge of letting go of the things I'm trying to do right now and signing up for regular full-time work with health insurance. I hate this system. I hate what happened to you today.

So...we're here. We're listening. We're angry. We're sad. But mostly, we are just here, shoulders and hugging arms at the ready.

Tell us what we can do. And go spend some QT with that hot new boyfriend of yours. He looks like a snuggler!

-Loorol

3:46 AM  
Blogger Jamie said...

Damnit damnit damnit. I am so sorry, but I know that is of no use. I cannot believe the treatment that you have had to endure throughout all of this. I am so completely impressed with your attitude, I am afraid I am too much of a bitch to have been through all you have and not have seriously hurt my chances for future help, you seem to be such a patient and sweet person, it's truly amazing. Way to go for that, and oh honey, I am so sorry for all the bullshit you have had to go through. Thanks for the great photos of your new "boyfriend", I am so in love with him. :)

6:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

Fuckers. I'll bet you didn't even get to have any tea.

I can't believe you have to wait until August. You poor thing.

8:45 AM  
Blogger ay-em said...

Hugs, and heartache. I'm so sorry! :(

- am

11:47 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm going to go to medical school expressly so that I can be Super Doctor Woman, and fly about the country, removing beloved bloggers' ports, granting throat cultures and removing appendixes. I just have to get my costume designed, so give me about ten years.

That's probably how long Our Lady of the Damned will take, right? I'll be ready a minute before they are.

XOXOXOXOX0

11:58 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Blogger stopped eating my comments! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11:59 AM  
Blogger Beth Currie said...

OMG. That SUCKS. In a sucky, sucky, sucky way. It's just appalling. I'm so sorry. I will never complain about the NHS again.

Thinking of you. x

12:57 PM  
Blogger belledame222 said...

fucking motherfuckers. really sorry.

9:59 PM  

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