Must work on.....

Ok, so I met with the Neurologist group over at UCLA. Hoping to find a solution to one of the last lingering bothersome symptoms. The guy was a complete JERK! I hate confrontation! I really do.

He said things like "It's not necessary for you to make a return appointment, I'll just call this other doctor that did the test on you at Cedars and then I'll call you in a few weeks and let you know how it turns out."

Grrr so I asked "when will you be calling the other doctor" and he said "I don't know, I have a very busy clinic schedule and I have no idea when I'll get around to it."

Grrr, so I asked "What plan do we have other than you making the call to the other doctor at some undisclosed time and hope that you will remember to call me back?" and he said "Nothing, oh I guess we can get a blood level to see how much medicine is in your system."

and I said "I am not comfortable with this plan." and he said "I will go tell the attending that you insist on getting further testing." and I"m seeting at these manipulation games so I very quietly and firmly state:

"I am bound and determined to get better. I will allow no one and no thing to stand in my way. No one has told me that I can't get better. I will. Whether you are a part of that process, a part of that team will be my decision."

He said "You have to understand there are sicker people than you." Grrr

So, I let him know: "In many cultures, using condescending phrases is considered rude. I know that the LA area is very lax about such things, but as far as I am concerned, I will not allow you to speak condescendingly to me."

I explained "I have enough symptoms that it is impacting my life a great deal, they are interfering with my recovery and I will not allow anyone to stand in my way of getting the answers and treatments that will result in healing. Am I clear?"

I said "What are you, like a 3rd year resident?" He said "I'm a Fellow" and I commented that he may or may not have the clinical skills I look for, but regardless, communication is essential whether he has them or not. I informed him that his current communications have resulted in a distrust and he will need to prove himself and his competence. I asked if he was up to the task, he said yes.

OK, so he didn't call 3 weeks later. He called the next business day. I'm scheduled for an admission to UCLA in May to find the source of these last symptoms.