We all have it, Strep throat that is. Well, except for WildDad – that man just wills the germs away from his body. Plus, even when he does get sick, he ignores it and plows on through. He is amazing.
My visiting teacher called to see about coming to visit today. I said “Sure, as long as you’re up for some Strep throat!” My guess is not so much since I found a book on my porch when I got home today. I’m interested to read it – sounds good – and I had asked her about borrowing it. In my opinion, she can count the month as done!
So, we’re all popping antibiotics over here and waiting for Moe’s appt. with the neurology person (not the doctor apparently) for a brain test of some kind. I’m excited and looking forward to proof of said brain – maybe I can get a picture of it? To remind me? Good grief, this boy is more teenager every day!
Also, I officially decided to leave our pediatrician of over 8 years. This is something I’ve been mulling over for a long time and not something I’ve taken lightly. I like that they’ve established a relationship with the same doctor for so long. I like that he’s familiar with my children and their histories – even more so because of Cora. He’s been nothing but wonderful but, his staff not so much.
His office was moved into a pretty new building a few years ago and then he added 2 more doctors and a nurse practitioner. Not so bad, I know he needs a break sometimes and should be allowed to vacation from time to time but sheesh! I was once called out and loudly berated (for all to hear )for having an outstanding balance from 8 months before! How dare I! How did I plan to pay! I was exhausted (we were doing a follow-up from one of Cora’s surgeries) and emotional. I cried. Thankfully, the Dr. happened by and intervened. He was very kind and awesome with Cora and he said he’d talk to his office staff. Turns out, the horrible, outstanding balance that made me such a huge deadbeat? $7.34. The way I was talked to and treated I expected something in the thousands of dollars (which DOES happen), but for $7? That was uncalled for.
Here’s the straw the broke the proverbial camel’s back. I took Moe in on Tuesday because of the whole blackout thing. I missed work Tues to get this done. Wednesday morning I call the office again because, with Cora having been there the week before and diagnosed with Strep and the other kids now running fevers, it was an obvious connection.
So, when I called Wed. morning I explained that Moe had just been there the day before and would need antibiotics now since the Strep had just hit him. Plus, there was now child #3. The lady at the front desk said, “No problem”. She would make the appointment for Flower and told me to just bring Moe along and he would get looked at again real quick since he’d just been there the day before. And again, missing time from work.
Fast forward to one of the new doctors. She informs me that she CANNOT see Moe today, that I need to go to the front desk and reschedule for the next day (Thursday). I was ticked! She told me that they were very busy in the office and she wouldn’t have time to see him. It took my arguing with her about what I was told on the phone before she agreed to go “talk to the front desk and see.” Finally, she came back and said she could see him but, first I needed to go to the front desk, sign him in, pay a co-pay and then wait to be called from the waiting room. Ticked again.
Then a moment later she breezed back in and said she had a just a quick moment right then between patients. It took less than 1 full minute for her to shine the light thingy in his eyes, nose, ears and throat. Voila, he needs antibiotics as well. She’s a genius.
Why would a doctor expect me to take 3 DAYS IN A ROW off of work to get a kid to their office? Especially when the kid is SITTING IN FRONT OF HER!
I had even thought (on the way to the appointment) that I might ask the doc to shine a quick light down my throat and tell me if a visit to my own doc seemed warranted. After fighting just to get her to see Moe, I didn’t bother.
I told MY doctor’s nurse this story and she was horrified. I told my doctor and he was outraged and said someone like that CLEARLY is looking out for the almighty dollar over the patient. I agree. I’m tired of being made to feel like I’m helping pay off the fancy new office. I really like my doctor so I asked about his policy for new patients, Cora’s heart and everything else in between. I’m very pleased with his answers and his office is closer to our house. Much happier!
