Small people.
We phoned the paeds rooms to be told once again, in a mocking tone, that there was absolutely NO WAY that we could see him. he was booked out until September…2010! How stupid are we to think that we might actually be able to get in to see the only doctor who knows anything about Ivy?
When David (phone phobia, friends, remember?) mentioned that the dermatologist asked us to keep in close contact with the paed the receptionist snarled… "well, I think you’ve got that covered".
I have to say that when David relayed this to me, I was upset, no, I still am upset but my angry tears have stopped. For now.
I feel guilty for interrupting their more important lives with my niggly little problems…say, a child who won’t get better.
I feel hurt knowing that they think we are pains in the behind.
I feel bad for feeling those things because, really, I shouldn’t.
As David says, it shouldn’t matter what the small minded people think. It should only matter that we do what we have to do to make Ivy right. It’s true.
I can’t help feeling awful though. Like I have broken some rule that clients will not disturb their doctors. Ever.
I admit, the last few months have been full on and we have needed to call constantly for more scripts, to see what to do next, to throw ideas around. I know they are all over it. I can hear it in their voices but do they think we are having the time of our lives? Do they think we are calling just because we are lonely out here in the boonies?
I would love to ask them. I would like to know, would they not do the same for their babies? If they had a child who was chronically ill with SOMETHING that no one can adequately diagnose, wouldn’t they be worried? If their toddler cried all day long, had discharging ears, blistered bottom, a wet chest, would they not want to do ANYTHING they could to help that little child?
I think they would.
So, why does the receptionist judge us?
Why does it hurt so much that she does?
I hate this.
How dare she brush you off! What are the chances that she doesn’t have children?
All you want are answers and to make your little girl better, it’s not like you are choosing to have Ivy sick.
I had a midwife like that when I was 40weeks pregnant. I had a chest infection and no GP I could see, I rang PAC and asked for reassurance. Instead she bitched about me to her collegue while I was still on the phone to her. I was in tears all day.
They don’t have the right to make you feel small, they are there to provide a service and if all it means is reassurance then thats what they should do.
Comment by Veronica — December 17, 2007 @ 10:33 am
I have nothing to add to Veronica - just unending support.
Comment by Dawn — December 17, 2007 @ 10:57 am
What a cow. No matter how she personally feels, it’s her JOB and she shouldn’t be rude on the phone to a patient. It’s not like you’re calling up for a chat!
I can relate - my family are pretty much stalking our dermatologist because of our close history of melanoma, but I’ve never been treated like that! I’m so sorry that happened, it’s the last thing you need when you’re already worried about Ivy!
Comment by Katie — December 17, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
that is just so wrong… I would write a letter of complaint. I wonder if her bosses know she conducts business like that?
Comment by katef — December 17, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
oh also wanted to say … 2010??? what you are supposed to know your child is going to get sick 2 years in advance???? Or do they only want to see healthy children for boring ‘well child checuk-ups’? That is just stupid!
Comment by katef — December 17, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
that is so unprofessional - I would be so angry too and upset for IVY.I agree I would complain. The receptionist no right to bring you to tears …I can’t add much more than what others have said.I hope you get answers soon and Ivy makes a recovery for a merry Christmas with no blisters and no extra antibugs.
Comment by Trish — December 17, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Sounds like that receptionist needs a major attitude re-adjustment. Does the doctor know she treats patients this way? I would go ahead and ask him whether or not he’d be doing the same as you if his child were constantly ill. And mention the receptionists hurtful remarks at the same time. Be insistent about getting a in to see him.
Comment by river — December 17, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Give me her name and phone number. Seriously.
Comment by Tracey — December 17, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Oh sweetheart… I am so over doctors.. and their stupid receptionists.. but that is another story.. *sigh*
when David was 3 or 4 he had a sore eye.. nothing obviously wrong..It was just sore.. anyway we were given antibiotic cream etc etc.. his eye got better but it was a bit lazy. the eyelid was a bit droopy.
a couple of weeks later david woke up and couldnt open his eye or tolerate light at all.
the doctor at our clinic sent us to the hospital. we waited all day and were treated like idiots. Grrrrr… and sent home and basically told to stop wasting their time..
I am a really polite person. I smile alot and I don’t like to make a fuss.
But after 3 days of going backwards and forwards from home to the hospital with an obviously sick little boy and getting nowhere. I stopped being nice. I started throwing around words like discrimination (because I could) and DUTY of CARE because that phrase works …
by this time there was so much ‘pus’ coming out of Davids eye
I was beside myself with worry.. And they Still weren’t treating this as a big deal…WTF???
They finally admitted david and they shunted us up to the head of Eye Stuff, Surgeons rooms for a quick look.. the people in the waiting room let Dave and I go in first.
this bloke actually knew what he was doing and with me restraining my screaming son. A nurse helping as well. He found a 1cm long grass seed deep in the corner of daveys eyesocket..
he actually apologised to me and said that dave was lucky to have not lost his eye. the people in the waiting room actually clapped and cheered dave, when he came out of the docs rooms, because he had been screaming etc etc and once the seed was removed he was smiling..(I was a wreck)
sorry this has been such an essay…
don’t listen to them..
jump up and down
make a noise..
You are Ivy’s voice.. and for fucks sake We are the mothers we know when our kids aren’t well.. these doctors and receptionists are at work waiting to go home.. our kids are our work..(works of art)
xxxxx
xxxxxxx
Comment by kim — December 17, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
I’m so sorry you’re going through this with Ivy. Don’t feel guilty for calling the paed. The receptionist was completely in the wrong for treating you that way.
Comment by Summer — December 17, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
That receptionist needs a kick in the arse.
It’s her job to be the first line of contact for people who will natually be very often distressed.
I hope she never needs urgent assistence for her kids.
I’m sorry this is all gong on for you at the moment, you have my very best wishes.
Comment by Xbox4NappyRash — December 18, 2007 @ 12:49 am
(off topic, my my g00gle reader just said I have 128 new posts from you)
Comment by Dawn — December 18, 2007 @ 1:22 am
I’d be so ripped. It is there JOB to help you and your child.
I really wish you could find some place else to turn.
Thinking of you. xoxo
Comment by MamaLee — December 18, 2007 @ 7:33 am