I will never forget the first time we had to travel across the country to see a specialist with our daughter. I couldn’t understand what this doctor was going to be able to tell me that I haven’t already heard from 26 others. I was nervous, semi pessimistic, and hopeful because I had no other choice. I was desperate. At that time Olivia’s behavioral issues were still pretty severe so traveling 8 hours from Houston to Little Rock seemed down right terrifying. We had yet to make a successful trip anywhere over 2 hours without having to stop to clean vomit, feces, or urine. However, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind we would get kicked off a plane so, driving was our only other option.
I remember being so angry when I finally heard her ask if we were in “AR-PAN-SAW” yet for the last time at 3am. Angry that we hadn’t received the appropriate care for almost a decade. Angry that I allowed a disgusting amount of vaccines to be injected into my gorgeous, healthy baby. Angry that we were in this crappy ass hotel because we couldn’t afford something better. A few short hours later when we were expected to arrive for labs the entire family was showing signs of a seriously short fuse. It didn’t take much for me to exchange words with a nurse. Especially when it was painfully obvious that it was going to take 5 different sets of muscles to hold her still. Olivia sensed Daddy’s pity from a mile away and decided this would be her chance to fight.
I’m sure you can visualize the fantastic first impression we left with the doctors by the time we left the consult that immediately followed the extreme lab pandemonium. The word frazzled doesn’t even begin to cover it.
I vividly remember leaving the office with my head spinning. I had no idea what the heck just happened in there. I had plenty of time to reflect on the 8-hour drive home and quickly came to the conclusion that the only person to blame was me. The mental list of could haves and should haves was getting more brutal by the second.
1. Get organized. Hopefully most of you are already requesting records following every visit. If not, you should start doing this immediately. Check with each office regarding their records request policy, but remember you have the right to your medical records. Some offices may have a copying fee or specific request form but please do not accept no for answer. If they refuse to comply they should be reported to the medical board. Period.
I remember being so angry when I finally heard her ask if we were in “AR-PAN-SAW” yet for the last time at 3am. Angry that we hadn’t received the appropriate care for almost a decade. Angry that I allowed a disgusting amount of vaccines to be injected into my gorgeous, healthy baby. Angry that we were in this crappy ass hotel because we couldn’t afford something better. A few short hours later when we were expected to arrive for labs the entire family was showing signs of a seriously short fuse. It didn’t take much for me to exchange words with a nurse. Especially when it was painfully obvious that it was going to take 5 different sets of muscles to hold her still. Olivia sensed Daddy’s pity from a mile away and decided this would be her chance to fight.
I’m sure you can visualize the fantastic first impression we left with the doctors by the time we left the consult that immediately followed the extreme lab pandemonium. The word frazzled doesn’t even begin to cover it.
I vividly remember leaving the office with my head spinning. I had no idea what the heck just happened in there. I had plenty of time to reflect on the 8-hour drive home and quickly came to the conclusion that the only person to blame was me. The mental list of could haves and should haves was getting more brutal by the second.
1. Get organized. Hopefully most of you are already requesting records following every visit. If not, you should start doing this immediately. Check with each office regarding their records request policy, but remember you have the right to your medical records. Some offices may have a copying fee or specific request form but please do not accept no for answer. If they refuse to comply they should be reported to the medical board. Period.
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