Just needing to vent

JoDoc

First, we've nicknamed our babies, Nemo and Squirt so it's easier to distinguish who is who. (names will be determined based on who is out first)

We have had 2 MFM appointments, including incredibly long ultrasounds, and after this last one the MFM doctor felt that the pregnancy and babies are doing just fine, therefore there is no need to see him again, I can stick with my regular OB. (YAY!)  However, he did discover that it appears Nemo will have a club foot.  We don't know how severe but honestly that doesn't matter to us.  We'll love him no matter what.  We're going to do whatever treatment is necessary as soon as we can so we can give him every advantage he deserves.

My OB doctor sees that we're optimistic and not discouraged (why shouldn't we feel that way?) and when we asked about seeing a doctor to figure out our options for treatment once Nemo is here, she said she'd get back to me.  Yesterday her nurse called and said that they recommended Dr. H, that we should call and set up an appointment to meet with him soon to discuss different treatment options so we can get a jump on things once he's born.  I called the office and got the appointment desk receptionist.  I gave her my name and said I was referred by Dr. W.  She had a snotty tone and said "Where does Dr. W work?"  I explained where (it's in the same town, but in the center for women) and she replied "Why did you get referred to US?"  (Like all of a sudden they realize that as an adult I now have an issue with my own foot)  I explained that I am pregnant with twins and the ultrasound has shown that one of the babies appears to have a club foot and we wanted to meet with the doctor and discuss different treatment options once the baby is here.  She said (again, in a snotty tone) "You're just going to have to call back once the baby is born to set up an appointment.  He can't do anything about it now.  There's 2 doctors in this office, he may decide he can't see you anyway and you'd have to see the other doctor.  You're just going to have to call back when it's born."   I was shocked.  All I could mutter was "oooooo K"  

It really got to me.  I know they can't do treatment now, Hell, he's still inside of me.  BUT, they can discuss with us the different treatment options based on how severe it could be.  Of course, we don't know yet how severe it is, but knowing that it could be as minimal as this or as severe as that, it's good to know the different options.  So, I called and left a message with my OB.  Her nurse called this morning and I explained what had transpired yesterday.  She apologized (I said that she didn't have to do that, she didn't do anything) and said it was strange, because they had called Dr. H's office and explained our situation and they said "Sure, have them call and set up an appointment to discuss different options and treatments available so that once he's here we can get started right away."  I said to her "I wasn't sure if I should go through you then to get the appointment or if I can just call his nurse to set it up, but it was obvious that the receptionist was NOT going to set one up at all."  My OB's nurse said she'd talk to my doctor and get back to me. (I have faith that she will, she's great)

*Big sigh* Ok, there it is, my vent.  I so wanted to reach through that phone and strangle that one receptionist!  If we know this far in advance that there is a problem and we want to be aware of the options, why wait until he's born to try to get an apt. with the doctor, only to be told we'll have to wait 3 months because he's booked, which would be 3 months of treatment Nemo could be receiving!?!?  Grrrrrrrr!!!  If we can meet with him now we'll be established patients, someone he's expecting to be seeing sometime between now and December.  It gets my blood boiling every time I think of that lady and how she spoke to me.  I wish I'd gotten her name, but I know I will recognize her voice.  Grrr!

PinkinProvence

That's really frustrating and rude - I am sorry!  I would ask your OB to call the specialist directly and tell him about your case.  Doctors do this all the time so it would not be unusual.  Then you can circumven the receptionist and find out if the doctor (not the secretary) thinks it will be beneficial for you to consult before the birth.

babywillmake3

PinkinProvence said:

That's really frustrating and rude - I am sorry!  I would ask your OB to call the specialist directly and tell him about your case.  Doctors do this all the time so it would not be unusual.  Then you can circumven the receptionist and find out if the doctor (not the secretary) thinks it will be beneficial for you to consult before the birth.

I'm sorry you were treated this way, but I completely agree. The receptionists typically do not have a nursing degree, they're just gate keepers. Circumvent her and her snotty attitude.

JoDoc

I started to type a response and my OB nurse called.

Thanks for the input, and I agree.  It was one of the things I asked my nurse, if I should just ask to speak to Dr. H's nurse and go that route, or have them talk and schedule something.  My nurse said that they called Dr. H's nurse and spoke with him and found out that he's out of the office until next Wednesday, but that they DO see patients prior to the birth to talk about options and treatments.  He's going to talk to Dr. H when he gets back and see when he'd like to meet with us and then call my nurse who will then call me. 

Kind of a bunch of hoops to jump through to get an appointment, but at least I GET one!  Will NOT deal with that receptionist again!

 

Thanks again for your input, I'm glad we're on the same page!

kgs0505

I hate bad office people, they really give the whole office a bad rep, even if the doctor is great.  I would definitely mention it when you see the doctor too about the difficulties you had setting up an appt.  The receptionist shouldn't argue about any patient's need for an appt.  Doctor's do consultations all the time and that is exactly what you are trying to set up.

Sorry you are having such a hard time!