Enough, Already!
May 24th, 2010
At what point do you lose your patience with a situation that is “beyond anybody’s control”?
I think I have learned the answer to this question.
The radiation oncology clinic across the street from my work is now “up” and (kind of) running. I arrived for my 10:15 am appointment this morning at 10:05. Soon after, I was told that the machine was down and could I wait. I asked to go back to work and have them call me, which they did at 11:30 am. I waited about 40 minutes once I got back to them and finished my treatment around 12:30 pm. As I left, they handed me tomorrow’s appointment time on a card. It said 7:45 am.
“How about the next day? Can I get on the schedule?” I asked the tech.
“We don’t know the schedule. I don’t even know what hours I’m working.”
“Will you know tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. I wish I could tell you but I don’t know.”
So in the meantime, I don’t know when I am available for other appointments, meetings, errands, classes, outings or anything for the next 5 1/2 weeks. My life is on hold because I have no idea what my regular treatment time is going to be.
Let’s put it this way: I have had 5 3/4 appointments and only 2 went on schedule and without a hitch. That’s not an acceptable ratio.
I just got off the phone with my doctor. Either they give me a regular schedule that can be adhered to (i.e., no broken machines) or I need to have my care transferred to another hospital. I am not buying that all of this is “beyond anybody’s control.” Sure, the flood wasn’t planned. But a hospital administrator solved the rescheduling problem on paper. On paper, there was no problem fitting people in from 6 am to 1 am. But everybody I spoke with at the clinic knows that the machines are not designed to run for that many consecutive hours.
This problem does not exist on paper. It exists in the real world. I wish they would have consulted the people who live in the real world.
My doctor agreed. We will try again tomorrow. If they can’t make this work, then I will transfer my care to another hospital.
Who knew I’d be banging at the doors, begging for my treatment?
UPDATE: They got it together. I am now regularly scheduled at 7:45 AM, first appointment of the day. Until July 5.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm and is filed under Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Hi Honey,
You are correct. It’s time to move your care. There is no reason to be jerking you around this way. I just finished taking a friend, and after appt #1 all were at close to the same time.
The reasons for that consideration were many: scheduling but also and maybe more: companionship.
The people scheduled near each other stopped hiding in magazines. We made a point of greeting everyone . We even had some of the older gentlemen doing a ‘ fashion’ show with their johnnies. By the end of six weeks, we had graduations and good byes. People missed each other and the camaraderie.
You are being cheated of the safe feeling of a schedule and the comfort of knowing what to expect.
It is not in any way all right.
Raise the roof. If they ‘ note’ your file, the heck with them. The staff should be like family to you by now. It’s part of getting well and strong.
Love
Ellie
what a complete an utter pain in the chemo ass. i’m glad you spoke up chica… way to put on your big girl panties + take control.