This is wonderfully validating post and timely as my husband and I have had many "surprises" in the health arena as of late. We've gotten a bloody lot of stings from our (apparently ) outdated expectations and feeling marginalized. But, we've also felt the glow of angels in human suits throughout it all. You are spot on to say we were the same nice elderly couple (scared half to death at times), experiencing human conditions. May we seniors hang on tight for what may be the ride of our lives.
I do not think poor treatment (personally and otherwise) in the medical world is saved for seniors. In my opinion since insurance companies and pharmacies took over Medecine, things in that arena are subpar. The name of the game/mode of operation for most medical groups is see more people and give them less time per visit.
Folks in Medecine with passion for service burn out quickly and leave. What’s the purpose of pills helping to keep us alive if there are no professionals to care about and for us!
As a senior i can relate to what you have endured Krysta! Maybe you can discuss it with your PCP when u see him in same clinic & ask some questions about the protocol there, etc.? I've had some very positive experiences & some awful ones within the same medical system & i don't hesitate to inform the appropriate patient care folks about it in an email.
I sure agree about young people and communication skills for lack thereof! Few have any idea of what customer service even is! At my gym some check me in while keeping their eyes on a book or their phone never greeting me or looking up! Yikes they should be glad I'm not their supervisor!
I'm sorry about your losing a tooth & can relate to that since i have lost 8 of mine. By the law of averages things have to improve for you & i hope it is soon! Take care!
Years ago, I came up with my strategies for dealing with medical people. 1) I come in smiling and making jokes or compliments about their location, their looks, something they are wearing. 2) Next I shut up or talk to the person who came with me--absolutely necessary for big stuff. 3) If any person is acting human around me (other patients, etc.) I smile, if possible, start a conversation, make a joke or tell something good that's happened to me, or share a compliment I can give to the medical people or location. Next in, many cases, I give a gift: boxes of chocolates can be given to the person or to the lab, etc. I did these things for my mother's health people as well. (Don't want her mistreated either.) In any moment of opportunity, I tell good fun stories, compliment those I can find compliments for. I include everything I can praise (clothes, jewelry, make up, behaviors, things that have been said...often carry the book I wrote about our rescue of 3 kittens abandoned in a park. "Kitten Love" is full of adorable photos that appeal to a lot of people. An adorable dog is also shown. I make a point of giving sympathy to those around me who are having difficulty. None of these behaviors are false. I feel my humanness with both sides. And that makes me feel better for me. Of course, things don't always work. But, since I spread them broadly, I usually have at least some or one who is glad for my behavior. Now, I don't think most of these are different from Krysta. I just had a few more options than she did in her piece. If I am ever in a medical situation and Krysta is there, I'll feel as lucky as lucky can be. PERIOD
This is wonderfully validating post and timely as my husband and I have had many "surprises" in the health arena as of late. We've gotten a bloody lot of stings from our (apparently ) outdated expectations and feeling marginalized. But, we've also felt the glow of angels in human suits throughout it all. You are spot on to say we were the same nice elderly couple (scared half to death at times), experiencing human conditions. May we seniors hang on tight for what may be the ride of our lives.
In solidarity:)
Venting is good for the soul! Glad you did.
I do not think poor treatment (personally and otherwise) in the medical world is saved for seniors. In my opinion since insurance companies and pharmacies took over Medecine, things in that arena are subpar. The name of the game/mode of operation for most medical groups is see more people and give them less time per visit.
Folks in Medecine with passion for service burn out quickly and leave. What’s the purpose of pills helping to keep us alive if there are no professionals to care about and for us!
As a senior i can relate to what you have endured Krysta! Maybe you can discuss it with your PCP when u see him in same clinic & ask some questions about the protocol there, etc.? I've had some very positive experiences & some awful ones within the same medical system & i don't hesitate to inform the appropriate patient care folks about it in an email.
I sure agree about young people and communication skills for lack thereof! Few have any idea of what customer service even is! At my gym some check me in while keeping their eyes on a book or their phone never greeting me or looking up! Yikes they should be glad I'm not their supervisor!
I'm sorry about your losing a tooth & can relate to that since i have lost 8 of mine. By the law of averages things have to improve for you & i hope it is soon! Take care!
Years ago, I came up with my strategies for dealing with medical people. 1) I come in smiling and making jokes or compliments about their location, their looks, something they are wearing. 2) Next I shut up or talk to the person who came with me--absolutely necessary for big stuff. 3) If any person is acting human around me (other patients, etc.) I smile, if possible, start a conversation, make a joke or tell something good that's happened to me, or share a compliment I can give to the medical people or location. Next in, many cases, I give a gift: boxes of chocolates can be given to the person or to the lab, etc. I did these things for my mother's health people as well. (Don't want her mistreated either.) In any moment of opportunity, I tell good fun stories, compliment those I can find compliments for. I include everything I can praise (clothes, jewelry, make up, behaviors, things that have been said...often carry the book I wrote about our rescue of 3 kittens abandoned in a park. "Kitten Love" is full of adorable photos that appeal to a lot of people. An adorable dog is also shown. I make a point of giving sympathy to those around me who are having difficulty. None of these behaviors are false. I feel my humanness with both sides. And that makes me feel better for me. Of course, things don't always work. But, since I spread them broadly, I usually have at least some or one who is glad for my behavior. Now, I don't think most of these are different from Krysta. I just had a few more options than she did in her piece. If I am ever in a medical situation and Krysta is there, I'll feel as lucky as lucky can be. PERIOD
I, too, can relate.
Frustration...
Remember the Madagascar Penguins, "Smile and wave, boys, smile and wave".
I can relate to the experience you shared!