Need to rant for a minute. There's a saying about it "taking all kinds to make a world". I do believe I've run the entire spectrum now for doctors here in Chico. Hang with me a moment and I'll explain.
The first one has a "Dog Complex". Went into the office for a pre-procedure, get-to-know-you visit. While waiting in the outer waiting area, I could hear this rhythmical "clink, clink, clink, clink". I wondered what it was and found out when I was called back to go into the smaller waiting rooms. There, parading up and down the inner hallway was this giant, black poodle prancing happily all around, unattended, with the tags on his collar making the "clinking" sounds. When the doctor would come out, the dog would get a little bit of attention in the form of rough-housing and a few explanations to the patients that were passing by.
I was not scheduled to actually meet with the doctor that day, only his assistant, and therefore should not have had any dealings with his dog. HOWEVER - the dog was not about to let me off so easily. As I was already nervous and worried about the upcoming procedure and what the outcome could mean, I lingered to speak with one of the nurses and inquired about the dog. She explained that it was the Doctor's own personal dog and I watched as the nurses proceeded to do their jobs and work around the dog.
As I was checking out and trying to choose the day for the procedure the nurses all had stepped out of sight for second which left me (unaware at the time) alone with the dog. I quickly became aware, however, as I was almost lifted off the floor by the dog's nose up my backside while I was bending over to write something down on my calendar. SURPRISE! I quickly straightened up and the dog tried it again! Good Grief!
By this time, the one of the nurses came back and rescued me as the dog scrammed away from the desk. Needless to say, I WON'T be going back to see that doctor or have him do my procedure, even if he's the only one it town that can do it - the doctor with the "Dog Complex".
Next, there's the doctor with the "God Complex".
I've had a lump in one of the lymph nodes on the side of my neck for a while now. I was concerned about it. Two different doctors passed me on to someone else. An ear-nose and throat doctor said that if it was anything to worry about it probably would have killed me long ago. Still, because my mom and grandmother had both died of cancer, and if I was worried about it we could have it biopsied - just to be on the safe side. He wouldn't recommend taking it out because of a big nerve that ran along the neck and shoulder and close to that particular lymph node.
So, the date was set up. I went into the local hospital (on an out-patient basis) and had the necessary information taken down by a very nice nurse. The ultra-sound technician found the lymph node and called the radiologist and told him about the findings.
Here's where it gets frustrating. I'm there on the bed ready for the procedure and in walks "God" - the doctor. He starts asking me why I want this procedure done, who said I needed it, who were my doctors, what other tests have they run, etc. He indicates it will be not reveal any problems and that there are other tests that should have been done instead. And, did I still want to have it done?
Let's see.... Now that I've gone to all this trouble to prepare myself for this procedure, I'm here on the bed, all the necessary players are here, it's a five minute procedure and it will ease my mind that there's nothing going on in my lymph system, YES! I want it done.
I'm sorry that it took time out of his valuable schedule that was probably wasted. But, I am insured and am not a welfare patient. The procedure will be paid for. I know there are risks with any procedure, but I'm willing to accept those risks because they are very small. We don't know what the laboratory tests will show. Further postings will reveal the findings later.
When it was over he said, "Well, you'd have just worried about it anyway, and, the patient is always right." It might have been nice to have had him remember that before he made me feel stupid and insignificant. The doctor with the "God Complex".
And, lastly, is the doctor that all doctors should aspire to be like - my cardiologist. With us moving around the country, I always try to find THE very best doctors for my care. Our insurance MADE me find this man because it wouldn't take any of the local doctors. They weren't in our "network". I have to drive a little further, but he is SO worth it.
After I have tests done, he makes sure that I get in to see him about the results immediately - like the next day! AMAZING! None of this wait a week stuff. He knows I'm in pain and am worried about it. He's a man of action and get's stuff done. Instead of sending me off to other doctors for possible tests and waiting weeks to get the results, he just orders the tests himself and gets the results sent to him to save all that rig-a-ma-roll in the middle. It was a sad day when he finally had to pass me off to other doctors because what I had was not cardiac related. And yet I know that if I ever need him, he'll be there to help me because it brings him such great satisfaction to do that for people. He keeps a close eye on his patients spending lots of time with their care. He listens to you and takes all you say in for interpretation. Then, thinking outside the box, solves problems that you didn't even know you had. Any one lucky enough to have him for their doctor should be very glad indeed.
THIS is the kind of doctor I needed to find after these other two. I realize they all are just PRACTICING medicine. And, we humans are SO complicated that it's very difficult to get it all exactly right, but as you can see, it can be done. It just takes seeing the extremes to appreciate it when you finally do find it. From "Dog Complex" To "God Complex" and everything in-between - it truly does take all kinds to make a world, especially a medical world in Chico, CA.
The Crib Card in Dylan's Bed overlooking Dylan's hairy little head.
Kari and Kaitlyn playing with the hospital curtain in Emily's Room.
Kari holding Dylan. Such a good big sister!
Dylan bundled in Emily's jacket at the airport because it was really raining when she went to drop me off for the flight back home.
