Many of you know that my 3-year-old Chip was born with a cataract in his right eye, and we had the cataract removed about a year ago. Apparently, most people have a complication where their vision clouds over at some point after the surgery, and there is a simple laser procedure they can do to clear it up.
Chip sees his eye doc every couple of months, and last August he noticed some clouding in Chip’s eye and said it was time for the laser zap. Quick, easy, and then he’d be all set.
Nope
We have now been waiting for FIVE MONTHS for the rocket scientists in charge of doling out time on the laser to schedule this surgery. In this time, Chip hasn’t been able to see much out of that eye and I’ve been worried about that causing problems for him later on. You know, because of brain development at this age, it is important for his eyes to be working if that can be managed.
I got a call from the scheduling nurse saying they finally had gotten a spot on the schedule for Chip. And it was going to be this Monday. No, they can’t tell me the time until the Friday before. No, I can’t bring my other kids along. No, it can’t happen in the morning when my other kids are in school.
No, it doesn’t matter that my husband will be out of town that day. No, they can’t reschedule it!
I shit you not, the person on the phone actually told me to just have my nanny watch my other kids. Like everyone has a nanny. I really didn’t know what to say, other than “Um, we don’t have a nanny.”
And she was surprised!
Craig goes out of town on business fewer than 10 days a year, and this Monday just happens to be one of those days. I am so furious that there is no way for me to get another appointment.
Fortunately, my mom can hang out with Mike and Robbie while I’m with Chip, but she had her shoulder replaced a few months ago and has physical therapy that afternoon. Which cannot be rescheduled. Because they don’t reschedule, you just have to miss a session. Because apparently this is another area of medicine where we work for them, not the other way around.
We’re lucky
If we didn’t live near my family we would be so screwed, because while my mom is at physical therapy, my step-mom is going to leave work to watch Mike & Robbie. But what about people who don’t have this kind of support? I’m starting to understand why people are tempted to leave their kids home alone. I don’t agree with it, and I would never do it, but I can totally see how someone could feel like their back is against the wall.
I swear to god I am going to have a stroke thinking about this. I haven’t even gotten around to being nervous about the fact that they’re going to be putting him completely out to do the laser zap. I remember what coming out of anesthesia was like when he had his surgery last year. Hell! And since these fucking people are so inflexible I won’t even be able to have Craig there to help me when Chip is thrashing around screaming.
I am so mad. I am livid. I am so grateful to my family for helping me make this work, but I SO RESENT the fact that there is NO FLEXIBILITY in this system. Who are these fuckers, anyway?
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
What is wrong with people! Seriously. I can't believe that people act like this… and about small children. I have been told numerous times that I could not bring my kids to emergency doctor's apts.. .and that I had to get a babysitter. In the middle of the day? I don't have one of those. Nor a nanny. And yes, my parents live here, but they too are physically impaired! It makes me mad with rage. Hang in there. I would babysit for you if I could… Honestly I would.
What a pain in the butt!
My little guy goes for heart tests every year and we go through the same thing. He needs 2 appointments one for the tests and one for results. We get a few days notice and if you cannot make one, they cancel both. So, we could not make a June 9 test and July 14 results- so they gave us June 10 and August 2!!!!! CRAZY!
Hang in there. Good luck. Sending lots of healthy and positive vibes!
:O WTH???
Horrible, I am so lucky to have my parents around, although it comes with mixed blessings. To be so inflexible is rediculous, especially with something like this. Leave them with your nanny!! Like you couldn't have thought of that one yourself – "oh, shoot, why didn't I think of that? Any other boneheaded suggestions?"
When we try to make appts for various things and they say 5 months out, it's so crazy, especially for a little kid. Next time, call me and you can send them to my parents, they love little kids and practically have a school at their house.
And good thought of transformers and trucks for your little guys.
Ummm…wow. What an idiotic response from them.
I feel your frustration–when my husband was deployed, I was living far from any family.
And folks wonder why people of lesser means go without health care. Not to speak of the costs.
I also can't believe the woman just assumed you had a nanny. Freakin' ridiculous!
That's ridiculous. They need to get their shit together. Now I feel guilty for complaining about my son's plastic surgeon. I have to schedule appointments a year in advance, but the don't even give me a reminder call a day or two before the appointment. I'm glad you were able to work it out. Good luck with the surgery.
I say, after Chip has his procedure, you firebomb the place. That'd teach the bastards.
Oh man…i know.
I was so glad that dh came with me to the therapy this week…but as he pointed out…..being able to attend such sessions for ANYONE as well as all the specialists, doctors, etc yadda yadda….means missing work. Because their work hours are the same as everyone else's work hours and they don't do evenings and weekends.
Only my chiro does Saturdays and evenings.
So ..like you…you have to PRAY for babysitters, and so on and completely reschedule your life for something that is already nervewracking.
Poor you and poor little guy.
Oh, I feel for you. It is amazing what people PRESUME about you and your resouces at time. At the risk of sounding like an advertisiment, I have really had very good luck using SitterCity.com to find sporadic childcare support. I alway like to offer mothers an option and I have been impressed with my SitterCity.com experience.
Many prayers for Chip. He has a great mother!!!
I'm infuriated for you. Especially where children and families are involved flexibility is so important!
I hope everything goes smoothly for Chip.
I hear you. I have had numerous experiences similar with my son with Autism. Get the run around, jump through hoops and then no flexibility when they finally get their act together.
Sigh.
And I just had another experience with a Triage nurse from hell last night when my boy broke his foot.
So sending you hugs and I will be thinking of you from across the oceans.
Ah but remember – there is nothing wrong with healthcare in this country. We all should be thrilled that we spend massive amounts per person more for about the same result as other countries. The free market MUST be allowed to work it's magic. Only those FOREIGN countries have limited resources and waiting lists and months waiting for procedures. That NEVER happens here.
Right.
The nanny comment is absolutely amazing and tells you right off who the main core of patients are for eye surgery/procedures. The rest of us riff-raff just have to be happy with contacts and glasses :) You have a right to be POed. I've let out many a scream dealing with the healthcare system in the past. I can't remember the last time one of my family was cared for and the bill didn't get screwed up.
Our families are more than 2,000 miles away. Luckily, all we miss are holiday parties and such, but seriously, five months to wait for them to treat you that way? I'm sorry you had to go through that. I hope it all goes well on Monday. I'd help out if I could.
Oh, that's so frustrating! And the nanny comment is just over the top! Like youwouldn't have thought of leaving the kids with the nanny all on your own. If you had a nanny. Because here in the real world lots of us don't. I've been down this road many more times than I care to think about. You have my sympathy.
Ah, the mighty medical gatekeepers – they're a breed on to themselves I'm sure of it.
I had a right dose of medical personnel attitude yesterday and I didn't like it one bit either.
Hope the little guy comes through with flying colours. Good luck!
Well I'm pissed off for you. Absolutely ridiculous.
Hope it goes better than you expect.
What a pain in the ass.
Hope the surgery itself goes smoothly.
WTH, you don't have a nanny? I thought I was the only one. Hope the surgery goes well. I will keep good thoughts for you and for the record, the firebomb doesn't sound like a bad idea. HAHAHA!!!
Medical stuff sucks! I run into problems all the time since dh works shift work, rotating shift work at that and they never seem to understand that I can' automatically be free at 3pm on a Tuesday but I can be free at 1pm on Wed… arrrgghh!
Good Luck with the surgery and thank goodness for supportive family!
Wow – that is unbelievable. I'm a bit of a rebel, so I'd probably bring my other kids with me, especially when all the conflicts with my family came up.
Good luck with the surgery!
I know that you want to keep seeing the same doctors – especially since they did the initial surgery, but they are really full of themselves, right? I have had some doctors that are the exact same way, and I finally came to the conclusion that I AM THE PATIENT and the customer and they are being paid to service me (heh – that sounded dirty) and I will NOT be treated like they are doing me a freaking favor by seeing me, treating me, or talking to me. My time is important, I am important, my needs are important. And you know what? There are actually very qualified doctors that run their business in a fashion that doesn't piss me off. Not a HUGE BUNCH of them – but there are some…and I am much happier spending my money on them.
Rant over.
Good luck with the surgery.
We have no family nearby, and most of our friends and acquaintances work full time, so we’ve been in that situation on numerous occasions. It’s VERY frustrating. I have dragged my kids with me to gyno exams, dentist appointments, even surgery.
Healthcare these days is a mockery, plain and simple.
I feel for you … and your son.
But does this post ever make me appreciate our health care system over here…
When I worked as a receptionist for a doctor the money was not as good as that nutty braod obviously makes to afford a nanny. She should have sent hers to watch your kids.
Aw, that really sucks! Doctors can be so annoying. My 2 year old has been through three surgeries and I really don´t know what I would have done without my husband there to help me when he woke up WAY too soon (as in ten minutes!) after coming out of surgery and the doctor said he couldn´t have pain killers for a couple of HOURS! :S
I hope the laser surgery goes well and that little Chip isn´t in any pain when he wakes up, so you can just cuddle him and not be stressed out. I´m really enjoying your blog, came across it by accident, btw.
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