I love being ‘Camerican’. I can cross the border with ease, one moment I am American and the next I am Canadian. It is absolutely perfect.
Growing up in America I enjoyed the benefit of a healthcare system that gave you the help you needed immediately; the down side being that you paid for it out of pocket.
Now that I live in Canada I enjoy the benefit of a healthcare system that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for; the down side being that you don’t get the help when you need it.
To get in to see a specialist is an excruciating and character building experience. I already have a lot of character – I grew up with the name Donloree Dickau for pity sake!
After being diagnosed with Hashimoto Thyroiditis (I always feel like I should clasp my hands together and bow when I state my disease) I was put in the cue to see a doctor that is very skilled in this area of medicine, but not a specialist. Thus began my 9 weeks of waiting…and I am still waiting. And just in case you thought 9 weeks was long, to see a doctor at the Endocrinology Unit at the U of A Hospital the waiting period starts at 16 weeks!
I took the 9 weeks and ran, or more accurately stated, sluggishly proceeded.
Finally I decided to take action! No more waiting around, it was time to demand that I get in sooner to see someone.
I resolved to get some momentum, so I called my doctor’s office to ask for help.
DLH – Hello, may I speak to the person in charge of referrals please?
*after 15 minutes of being on hold I was transferred to the grouchiest woman on the planet*
Grouchiest Woman On The Planet – YEAH?
DLH – (In my most cheerful voice) Hello there. I am just calling, well, I need your help. I know I got a referral to see a specialist-esque doctor, but I am desperate. It is so far away and I am wondering if there is another doctor in the city I could see. I need some help. Can you help me? I feel horrible all of the time. (tears start to well up at this point)
GWONTP – First of all what is your name? Secondly we already referred you. I can’t do much else.
DLH – I’m Donloree. Donloree Hoffman.
GWONTP – Yeah. I see you already have an appointment for the end of March. So what do you want?
DLH – (The tears and desperation are making my voice wobbly now) I want to see someone as soon as I can. I want help. I want to be better. Can you please ask for another referral?
GWONTP – (SIGH) I don’t think that she’ll do it but I can ask. I will call you back when I hear from her. *Harrumph*
*Then she proceeds to hang up on me*
Two weeks pass by and I hear nothing. The extreme brain fog and tiredness make it hard to remember to call back and see if I have a referral to a doctor that could see me earlier. Finally desperation sets in again.
DLH – Hello, this is Donloree Hoffman. We spoke a few weeks back and you were looking into another referral for me. I was just checking to see if an appointment has been booked.
GWONTP – (SIGH…HUFF…) No. I have not heard back.
DLH – Can you look into it please? I will take anything.
GWONTP – Fine. I will call you back this afternoon.
*No call back occurs*
DLH – Hello, its Donl…
GWONTP – Yeah, I know. I called and can get you in to see another doctor 2 weeks earlier, but I don’t see the point. I mean you already have an appointment for the end of March, what’s a few weeks?
DLH – PLEASE! I will take anything. Even 4 days sooner is 4 days closer to a solution than I was before I am desperate. I need help.
GWONTP – Yeah, ok. FINE. I will call and see if they will take you.
DLH – Thank you?
This afternoon my phone rings and a very pleasant and kind hearted woman from the new doctor’s office called with an appointment for March 14. If I had the energy I would have hopped around my living room. I thanked her profusely and also noted that her kindness was appreciated.
Two more weeks until the next stage of health and healing begins. Project ‘Get Donloree Healthy‘ just got a turbo boost!
What do you need a Turbo Boost in?