- Mar 16, 2019
- 7,400
- 1,329
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- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Protestant
- Marital Status
- Single
I have been struggling with iron deficiency almost three months. Iron pills made me sick, so I had to get two iron IV infusions. My internist wants to know what is causing it because I am 46 and taking estrogen every day, so it obviously is not caused by periods. She traded a few emails with my older sister, a mammary oncologist at the same hospital, and they agreed I need an endoscopy and a colonoscopy ASAP. My internist ordered the procedures immediately, not even sending my mom any messages first to let her know the plan. I can't see her until July 26, the date of my annual exam, and had no way of knowing it had to be ordered before then. Hearing it had been ordered five weeks before that appointment - the only time I can directly communicate with the internist - made me mad because the last time I had one, I had followed all the instructions perfectly and was still constipated during the colonoscopy. I must be able to talk to my internist before she orders a colonoscopy so I never have to worry about a repeat of last time or simply starting what I did before a day earlier but that was not an option. It had to be ordered more than a month before I can express my concerns about the preparation, according to Mom.
Making matters worse, Mom insisted I will do what the gastroenterologist tells me to do, which surely will be take a prescription drug and drink a full gallon of water. She sounded adamant that all nonprescription methods are off the table, no matter what the internist tells me on July 26. She also was clear she is trying to control my conversation with the internist that day. What I do know for a fact is I will see a different gastroenterologist this time. A new doctor will not have any idea what happened several years ago means I must take a totally different laxative, not more of the same thing.
So when Mom gave me her cell phone to give the receptionist permission to schedule the procedures, I was mad. I told the lady, "No, you do not have my permission," adding I want to wait until after I see the internist to schedule them. Mom naturally was mad at me for that and tried to explain why I cannot wait. I could not understand her logic. It made even less sense after she told me everything than before she said anything. What difference does it make whether we scheduled it last week or wait until July 26? She told me the problem is how far out a gastroenterology opening will be. She said "right now" (last week) the first opening is in October. She said "right now" (last week) the hospital is hiring gastroenterologists. So it would make more sense to wait until July 26 because by that time, there will not be a shortage of doctors in the gastroenterology department anymore. I know Mom will get mad at me if I ask why it could not be scheduled at my appointment. She said doing that would make me a bad patient. But ordering a colonoscopy without talking to me about preparation options first is never acceptable.
After Mom's illogical and repetitive statements about the requirement to order a colonoscopy before July 26, she called the hospital back. I gave the receptionist permission for only one reason: I totally agree with the doctor both procedures have to be done ASAP.
Making matters worse, Mom insisted I will do what the gastroenterologist tells me to do, which surely will be take a prescription drug and drink a full gallon of water. She sounded adamant that all nonprescription methods are off the table, no matter what the internist tells me on July 26. She also was clear she is trying to control my conversation with the internist that day. What I do know for a fact is I will see a different gastroenterologist this time. A new doctor will not have any idea what happened several years ago means I must take a totally different laxative, not more of the same thing.
So when Mom gave me her cell phone to give the receptionist permission to schedule the procedures, I was mad. I told the lady, "No, you do not have my permission," adding I want to wait until after I see the internist to schedule them. Mom naturally was mad at me for that and tried to explain why I cannot wait. I could not understand her logic. It made even less sense after she told me everything than before she said anything. What difference does it make whether we scheduled it last week or wait until July 26? She told me the problem is how far out a gastroenterology opening will be. She said "right now" (last week) the first opening is in October. She said "right now" (last week) the hospital is hiring gastroenterologists. So it would make more sense to wait until July 26 because by that time, there will not be a shortage of doctors in the gastroenterology department anymore. I know Mom will get mad at me if I ask why it could not be scheduled at my appointment. She said doing that would make me a bad patient. But ordering a colonoscopy without talking to me about preparation options first is never acceptable.
After Mom's illogical and repetitive statements about the requirement to order a colonoscopy before July 26, she called the hospital back. I gave the receptionist permission for only one reason: I totally agree with the doctor both procedures have to be done ASAP.
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