Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Much Improved

Yesterday morning I decided Bob needed to actually see the urologist. Not an easy thing to accomplish but I was up for a challenge so I started at 8:30 a.m. and by 3:00 p.m. we were sitting in the office of the urologist.

Things began to break our way once the urologist entered the room. He ordered Bob's catheter out, and talked at length with us. We returned early this morning for some tests. At this moment in time Bob is managing fairly well. There are still future appointments ahead of us and some work to be done learning to deal with incontinence supplies but we're in a much improved place today.

Every doctor's office has its own personality and generally I do well adjusting to the wishes of a clinic but not so with this group of urologists. I don't think it's our doctor, but either the other doctors or the office manager has given the office staff some very rigid guidelines. They absolutely cannot deal with a situation that does not fit within their rules.

I tried to get Bob in the next day after we were in the ER but could not get past the severe wall of office staff there to guard against people like me. I could scale Donald Trumps 'wall' easier than I could get past the guards in that office. They absolutely would not break the rule that a catheter had to be in 14 days before returning to see the doctor. Since he'd never seen the doctor in the first place I thought that was a dumb rule.

Yesterday was it for me, enough was enough. I spoke with the doctor about the situation when we finally saw him, and explained I wanted to be nice but I simply could not figure out the system for working with his office staff. He said to me "Don't try to be nice. When you think you need to be seen just show up. They will not send you away." It could be the office manager but I'm thinking it is more likely the senior doctor in the group who's responsible for these rigid rules. Perhaps he's a rigid person himself and likes a lot of protection from his patients.

In the future I will 1) just show up, or 2) leave a message for our urologist's assistant, and work through her. You live and learn. We are exhausted, and I feel like I've fought a war, but that damn catheter is gone!
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We picked up Bob's new glasses. He said they were better and we came home. He told me he would try to wear them all time like everyone seemed to think he should.

A few minutes later I see him with four pair of glasses, three of which were older prescriptions. He was trying all four pair to see which pair was best! I told him his new glasses were as good as it was possible to do for him, that he needed to put the other three pairs away and use only the new ones.

Just now I caught him reading the paper with an old pair. He clearly did not realize he had an older pair. Said he just picked up a pair that was on the table. Since he did not put away the old glasses I will.

He is back to wearing his glasses in his pocket.
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I'm interested in Donald Trump's trip to Mexico today. I was amused to see he was taking Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama with him. He is about the most rabid anti-immigration person in the senate. Fine choice there Donald.  The other person he took was former NYC mayor Giuliani, who's gone completely off the rails lately. What a group. Don't believe it if Trump comes back and reports Mexico agreed to pay for the 'wall.'

24 comments:

  1. Ya, putting away the old glasses is the only way. I'm guilty of what Bob is doing too. It's harder to get used to a new prescription doing what's he's' doing.

    Glad you're finding a way around frustrations at the doctor's office. Hope you get to the bottom of what is going on so you'll be able to deal.

    I think Christie went too, with Trump. I used to have respect of Giuliani but he turned rabid weird lately with his crazy conspiracy stuff about Hillary's healthy. If nothing else, maybe will Trump will come back tired and he's screw up his speech tonight.

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    1. Thinking about politics gives me some relief from my real life. Bob has many needs right now. Been texting daughter about ways to change furniture around to better meet his needs. He lost a lot of ground this last week. Don't know how much we'll be able to recover.

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  2. Your experience with the urology group is maddening! Things like that make me so mad. Just imagine the poor elderly person who needs help, and does not have someone as savvy as you to advocate for them. So interesting that the doctor you saw basically told you to break the rules. Good for him. It cannot be a good office environment to work in. I've always believed that the front office staff set the tone for the office. Patient experiences are often defined by the very people that help them wade through the system.

    So glad to hear the catheter is out! Must be a huge relief for both you and Bob. And, it rids you of a possible source of infection.

    Trump is beyond my comprehension. Giuliani has joined his club and is just as wacky as Trump. I'm embarrassed to say they are both from the fine state of NY.

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    1. I've watched more than one Republican I once respected go off the rails lately. Yes, I was worried about infection and it just didn't seem right he would have to wait 14 days for a physician to lay eyes on him.

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  3. Interesting that Trump basically stole away in the dark of night, so fast that the press corps couldn't catch up.
    Good for you, outwitting the paper pusher people!

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    1. The office staff in a clinic can be a mighty force to help you or to harm you. This election is so crazy nothing surprises me anymore.

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  4. Glad to hear Bob is doing better, and you are, too. I'm glad you explained to the doctor your frustration with the office staff. We've wondered what is going on with Guiliani, too. He has become a loose canon.

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    1. Giuliani is as crazy as a loon these days, seriously disturbed. I speak up when I find a problem. I have no problem talking to the doctor about his office staff. He needs to know if there's a problem.

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  5. Okay, this is a little off topic but my calendar tells me tommorow is your birthday. If so, have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. You're due a good day. If my calendar is wrong have a great day anyway!

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    1. Yes tomorrow is my birthday and Bob has a medical appointment. He also has one on Sept 28, our 54th anniversary. Thanks for remembering.

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  6. Giuliani has gone 'round the bend.

    I sympathize with your staff challenges with Bob's doctor. I had a cardiologist that I was not happy with, but I was very happy with his nurse and staff. I now have a new doctor that I like very much, but his staff is not easy to work with.
    I will adjust... eventually. So glad that you're working things out and that the catheter is out. Hope sailing is smoother.

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    1. I never trusted Guiliani and now I know I was right. Relationships in the medical world can be very tricky. Sometimes difficult to manage.

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  7. I don't think I could get past an office wall. Emergency doesn't do much good either. so some days you win some.

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  8. Anyone who places themselves in DT's entourage gets no respect or attention from me.
    Way to go, getting a little pushy with Bob's medical team. Sometimes you just have to beat down doors.

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    1. I've lost respect for most all the Republican presidential candidates this year. It really annoys me to have to get pushy. I figure caring for Bob is about all I can handle. Sometimes though you don't have a choice.

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  9. Glad you prevailed and got into the doctor. I used to work in a doctor's office and the treatment you received prior to today is deplorable! Glad things are better, and glasses are the bigger issue now. ;)

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    1. Bob's full of issues. New glasses is just one of many. He really lost ground last week.

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  10. You are the absolute most wonderful caregiver, Linda! Bob is so lucky to have you. Thank goodness our office staff is much nicer. Wow!
    I just saw something in the news that Trump is saying Mexico will pay 100% of the cost of building the wall. Riiiiiighhhttt......

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    1. I see this morning Donald Trumps immigration speech after visiting Mexico was worse they ever. Gracious, what is this country doing to itself.

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    2. And now I'm seeing his poll numbers are up. What the heck!

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  11. I wish I could develop a habit of wearing my glasses in my pocket. Even though I need to wear them all the time, I take them off in the house and just put them anywhere. Then I hunt and hunt for them. Yesterday I found them on the stove. I would say I don't like the feel of them on my face (I don't) but I have tried contacts and I wanted to take them out all the time too. I conclude I just don't like seeing, prefer my world a little fuzzy.

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    1. I believe you are a part of a sizable group. When I wore glasses they were the first thing on my face upon awakening and the last thing off before going to sleep at night.

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  12. Think you were smart to alert the doctor about his staff. Doesn't sound like he plans to change them though if he is just telling you to "show up." Hope that works.
    I always have trouble with new glasses also. Perhaps hiding the extra ones for a while will force him to adjust quicker?
    Couldn't believe Trump's two totally different speeches on Mexico. Did it look to you like the Mexican president was gritting his teeth and clenching his jaw when dealing with Trump? Don't think he was fooled one bit.

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