When the Doctor Becomes the Patient

Gynae woes:

Part 1:

I recently changed my gynaecologist as I was not convinced my prior one was actually interested in finding a cause of my ongoing issue and I needed answers. After painstakingly searching for one whose practice offered a particular diagnostic procedure that I thought I would possibly need, I was finally able to make an appointment- but it would not be for another 3 weeks. Yes, 3 weeks, the earliest time I could be seen. Okay. 3 weeks. Better than 3 months. Right? Wrong. Let me tell you what I mean.

As if experiencing this issue daily for that wait period wasn't bad enough, the implications of the potential diagnosis nagged me night and day; i'm not gonna lie, this was tough. 

I cried. I Googled. I self medicated. I googled some more. I craved some insight. Another test. A conversation. A defintive diagnosis for sure. 

Having already arranged for coverage for work as my appointment was within my work hours, I grew paradoxically calmer yet more anxious as the date drew near. But imagine my surprise when I woke  up that morning to automated messages and calls saying my appointment was cancelled!What?! How unfair! 

I was likely the first to call the office the moment the clock struck 9. This was the time they were listed as being open- though busy at work, this was all I had on my mind. I might as well have spoken to the bot that left me the automated messages because hello? what was this? Betwen the non-chalance and lack of empathy for my dilemna, I was disapppinted and felt dismissed. Instead of an apology and effort to reschedule as promised by the AI voice recording, I was told very matter of factly that the doctor would not be in.

Ok so when can I be rescheduled to see her this week? Oh she's fully booked for the month and will be overseas thereafter, this is a very busy practice that she keeps. 

So who am I being rescheduled with? No forthcoming response; then after much prodding was offered to see a midlevel , then a male specialist, but of neither options was I calmed. 

Would it not be common courtesy to reschedule me with the provider I specifically requested? Was that too much to ask? Plus an apology for abruptly cancelling on the day of an appointment, was that too much of a task? Is there any voice for patients to speak against unprofessionalism, maybe some hidden treaty or clause? I'm tired of being treated less than human, just because.

I was finally booked with another provider -but not for another week. So now I have to live with this issue still unclear and anxious for the answers that I seek. 

I do wish that was all; but join me for more stories on which I'd like to speak.

*United we stand, divided we fall*