Doctor Mayhem

I used to be trusting, somewhat naive and a people pleaser when it came to personal interactions with others.  These traits were predominant in my personal relationships with family and friends, as well as professional ones such as co workers and health care providers.

I am still somewhat that innocent girl with the rose colored glasses on, but I now have an inner alarm system that alerts me when all is not as it seems.

Why do I say this?

Because doctors are still just people.  People with their own character flaws and personal agendas.  We would all like to believe that doctors who swear an oath to hold the moral upper high ground, stand true to this ethic

My first experience that all doctors were not caring, ethereal angels was when my elderly Opthamologist told me in a rude manner “don’t tell anyone I said this, but you might have multiple sclerosis”. The manner of his behavior was due to the fact he was upset and berating me for not being properly referred to him through an optometrist. I was an innocent, unsuspecting girl who was there to find out why my vision was blurring, not to be the outlet for his anger at not being there to see him without following the proper protocol.

His sense of injustice does no way give him the right to deliver a possible life changing diagnosis in such a heartless, cruel manner.

I will recount for you another experience I later had with a neurologist when I was early diagnosed and still very young and impressionable.

I had always thought he was a little quirky and his peering eyes over the top of his bi focals, gave off a feeling of pervertedness.

At this particular visit, I sat on the always present hospital bed and answered  all his familiar questions  to determine if I had any significant health changes.

And then he asked me to take off my top so he could examine my breast tissue.

“I don’t mean to embarrass you” he professed as he waited for me to undress.

Yes, I am embarrassed now to say I did it.  What my breast tissue had to do with MS is still as absurd to me now as  it should have been then.

After examining my breasts, he then excuses himself to go to the restroom.   He asks me to answer his phone while he is gone if it rings and of course it does.

“Hello”? I hesitantly answer unable to believe I am in this situation.  “No”, I say, “he has stepped out for a minute”, I inform the doctor who is calling. After hanging up the receiver, I return to the bed hoping this bizarre doctor visit is almost over.

My doctor then returns from the restroom,  wiping his hands with a paper towel. I can  guess as to the sudden need for the restroom visit. To end this unbelievable appointment, he walks me out to the waiting room where my mother sat waiting for me. He introduces himself to my mother and says “your daughter is such a sweetheart”.

Ugh.  I was not a little girl he was referring to but a twenty something year old woman.  It was totally inappropriate.

Since then I have changed neurologists twice and I am now a more informed “client” not “patient”.

Remember when looking for a doctor, be selective.  Not all doctors are holier than thou and have their own agendas which might not always be in your best interests.

You are a client not a patient. You decide if your doctor meets YOUR needs

Kindness is food for the soul

Cindy Lee