Grrr

[annathepiper]

So apparently my doctor thinks it's not necessary to see me again until after I have the nerve testing done. And considering that the B&J center says they can't get it done any earlier than August 8th, which is 7 weeks to the day following my break, I would therefore expect to be lucky if I saw him again before the 8 week mark. :P

I tried to call in and arrange a followup apppointment earlier than that but the guy I spoke with was decidedly not helpful, and I got handed off YET AGAIN to his assistant's voice mail, the assistant who as has been previously determined does not apparently ANSWER his voice mail.

I am mad enough about this that if I weren't already exhausted, not to mention at work, I would scream. Given that I was told that I should be able to have the goddamned brace off at the 6 week mark, and given that I have begun to have the tiniest of indications that the nerve is just stretched or bruised rather than broken, my damn arm will possibly be healed by the time they get off the asses and agree to see me. And I really don't want this brace on one minute longer than is medically necessary.

Does anyone know of any facilities in the Seattle area where I can get some care that doesn't suck, or at the very least timely and useful information? It is not helping me in the slightest to be told that this or this might be wrong with my arm and then have to wait FOUR FUCKING WEEKS to find out for sure.

Especially since the nimrods in the X-ray room at the U-dub Medical Center were the ones who fucked up my nerve in the first place. :

Comments

[firni.livejournal.com]

Who are you seeing now? I mean, are they affiliated with a clinic? I used to see a rheumatologist at Minor&James Medical, but I don't know if they have a bone/joint center.

[annathepiper]

Where I'm going is the University of Washington's Bone and Joint Center, in their clinic on Roosevelt in the U-district.

[firni.livejournal.com]

How about Swedish?

[avram]

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this."
"Su dun't du thet, bork bork bork!"

[firni.livejournal.com]

THANKS. Do you *know* how hard it is to get iced tea out of the little crannies in a keyboard?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Re:

[annathepiper]

*SNORF* I can hear it now...

"Hierng de hurng de arm de BREAKY BREAKY. Hun de fixy de SUPER GLUE on de arm..."

Re:

[annathepiper]

Good a place as any, I guess; we'll see how it goes, and whether it's going to be more of a hassle to put up with where I am for a few more weeks, or change where I'm going in mid-stride, which is ANOTHER thing to worry about. Bleah.

[apel.livejournal.com]

In the past I've found that a fax that explains the problem tends to get things moving. Faxes are harder to explain away than phone callr or letters and give you rooom to detail why you need to see the doctor earlier rather than later without getting cut off by unhelpful jerks. Just an idea.

Re:

[annathepiper]

A fax... that might be doable, and faster than a letter. I'll see if I can dig up a fax line for this doctor -- thanks!

[dianala.livejournal.com]

UW blows chunks, imo. i saw a guy a few years ago that was great, i can call my doc and get the name if ya want.

Re:

[annathepiper]

Can't hurt, might help, any information would be quite welcome. If I can't whack a clue into Dr. Titleman I'm going to need any data I can get.

[brombear.livejournal.com]

I wish I could help you there...just be glad that it's not the Navy. I've seen them screw up too many people medically...mostly because they can't be sued. Last case for me was waking up with a breathing tube still in my throat from having my tonsils removed...took 3 large interns to hold me down so another could remove it. At best, you would be out of your brace a week ago, whether or not your arm was healed, and you would get their answer for everything...Vitamin M...large quantities...(Motrin)

Re:

[annathepiper]

Yet another reason I am glad I'm not in the Navy! Thanks, I think. ;)

Gaak.

[cafiorello.livejournal.com]

Any possibility the MD can push for an appointment sooner? The clinics listen to the gods of medicine a lot more seriously than to a mere patient. If you tell the doc's office you can't get seen at B&J until 8 weeks, and ask if they can set you up with a sooner one and then schedule your followup appt., they may be able to help you!

Or not. But it's worth a try. Just don't get so frustrated that you punch or kick something...and break something else! (I suggest throwing a glass into the corner of a brick wall with your off hand. )

Re: Gaak.

[annathepiper]

Well, the problem with this is that the doctor's office IS the clinic, so far as I know. I don't have any other way of reaching this guy except through this B&J center. So I've left another message with his assistant, though I am not convinced that is going to do anything. I will probably have to send him a letter, answering this letter he sent me as a followup to my last visit.

Frustration for me very rarely leads to breaking something... if nothing else because right now I can't summon the energy. Normally I would work it off with music, but, well, NO GUITAR. >_<

So right now it's occasional crying so hard my head hurts. Or, a LOT of singing along with Great Big Sea. Or walking to work. That helps.