Hunt the doctor

I've learned my lesson...the hard way!!!! NEVER schedule a routine doctor appointment for your children on a Monday or a Friday afternoon!

I took my son to get his 9 month ‘well baby’ check-up and ended up waiting for almost an hour and a half. The director of office operations apologized profusely, but then proceeded to tell me it was my fault scheduling at that time of day. Hello!?! Doesn't she have it wrong? Shouldn't they be the ones leaving themselves a big window if they know the pediatrician tends to run late on certain days because of sickness over or before the weekend?

My husband is furious that I didn't kick up more of a fit and much earlier on, but I guess I just kept giving the benefit of the doubt… thinking it’d only be 10 more minutes, and that was easier to hang tight than having to reschedule. It wasn’t long before I had the exam room door open and was flagging nurses down in the hallway. They kept promising me he’d be right in but eventually one of them admitted that the doctor had accidentally gone into another room and they couldn't get him out once he had begun with the other patient.

I know, I know: HMO medicine in this day and age, in the United States! Squeeze in as many patients as possible. Corners are cut everywhere and it only hurts the children. Deal with doctors who are burnt out on paperwork and on the system. Indeed a failed system that demands change! My anger was only fueled when I got home that night and heard that Congress had failed again to get the votes necessary to provide health care for low income children. I felt all hope evaporate.

I calculate the trillions of dollars that are going towards war instead of health. I pay attention to hundreds of recalls, from medicine to toys. I imagine a health care system for my children and myself that is truly accessible, focused on prevention and not corrupted by drug companies.

And, in today's reality, I remember how important it is, now more than ever, to take extremely good care of our bodies ourselves, ask lots of questions, trust our gut feelings… and remember to Google random things, like ‘best time to schedule a doctor appointment’! In my frustration I did when I got home – and realized I could have saved myself a headache if I’d taken some time to read other moms’ seasoned advice!!

 

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