Mary: "Dr. Grumpy's office, this is Mary."
Lady: "Hi, I need to make an appointment with Dr. Grumpy."
Mary: "Sure. What will you be coming in for?"
Lady: "I've been falling a lot - I fell today, actually - and want to get my balance checked out."
Mary: "Okay. Our next opening is Tuesday, at 3:45, then Thursday at 9:00. We also..."
Lady: "Oh, I'll need farther out then that."
Mary: "Any idea when? Like a week, or..."
Lady: "Not sure. I mean, I broke my leg when I fell today. I'm in ER, being admitted to the hospital right now. I'm supposed to have surgery tomorrow morning, so I'll be here for a few days, and then they say I'll need to go to rehab for a couple weeks."
Mary: "Why don't you just call back when you know when you'll be able to come in?"
Lady: "Am I allowed to do that?"
Mary: "Of course."
Lady: "That's a better idea. I'll do that, then."
Would it hurt you Mary to throw in an “Oh, you poor dear”
ReplyDeleteShe probably was 'told' to check out why she was falling so much last month, or last year?
ReplyDeleteBut, I wonder why she hasn't thought to ask the doctors at the hospital if they could check her out while there, doing crossword puzzles and awaiting her 'mystery meat' up from the hospital cafeteria. (Just joking about the 'mystery' meat. I've actually had pretty edible meals during various hospitalizations. As a matter of fact, the only terrible food I've eaten in a medical institution was on residency at a VA hospital and even the cheese sandwiches from the machine were barely recognizable.)
Can't Dr. G aak for an in-house neuro work up?
ReplyDeleteShhhhh It's probably Dr. Grumpy's weekend in call!
Deletegloriap, I'm thinking it will be cheaper for her healthcare plan to not have an in-house neuro check her out. Some hospital staff think about this stuff. Others just don't want to deal with complications. But I love that she was on the ball enough to call for an appointment right away.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me feel really sad for her actually. She is trying to do what she thinks might help her and is probably really frightened. She really does need some encouragement, a heart felt feel better very soon and kindness. Hope rehab goes well and she sees the specialists that she needs.
ReplyDelete