This was the subject of an e-mail I sent out to all my friends who live in Durban North. I wasgatvol with my doctor and was looking for another “quack” to give my hard-earned Rands to.
Just like with mechanics, plumbers and electricians, we do not question doctors because they are so very qualified and clever and can sprout words that make absolutely no sense what so ever to us. I strongly object to being treated like an ignoramus and so I make sure I do my research (thank you, Google) before and after every qualified person appointment.
So, the Alien had a cough. No big deal I hear you say, except the cough continued for months. Our now ex-GP treated me like I was a neurotic, overprotective, Munchausen by proxy freak.
A general warning: Don’t mess with any mother with more than1 brain cell, clever people! We are genetically programmed to protect our young. We will kill for our offspring even if they are teenagers.
Once ex- GP finally started taking my concerns seriously I was exposed to the overwhelming and scary concept of spending money quicker than you can earn it. How do these specialists and laboratories decide on their exorbitant prices? Are they based on their Mercedes and Ferrari repayments?
After 3 weeks of emptying my purse, bank balance and lifesavings, selling a kidney and gaining shares at the Pharmacy besides the frustration of not knowing what was wrong with the Alien – I have a healthy daughter and a newfound respect for radiographers. Doctors and specialists do not even look at the “pictures” that radiographers take. They base their decisions purely on the reports the radiographers send them (and how much money they need for their next overseas vacation)
To the folk who took such …errr…revealing photos of my daughter, you are my heroes. You may have the crappiest selection of ancient magazines in your waiting room but you were the voice of tangible, understandable reason through the medical nightmare I have just emerged from. A bargain at the price.
Alma what irks me is that the doctors tell you to "try such and such and come back if…" If involves sleepless nights,more pain, fever or issues and then when you return … MORE dosh – even if it is from Medical aid! It reminds me of the saying it is a budget not a target! They do not have to drain the money faster than they could drain your entire body of blood!
And further while I am on YOUR soap box with you is the time factor! Every return visit is more precious time! One Dr would only see my kid in the morning – so yanked him out of school for 2 hours to have a mole seen to – then was kept waiting for an hour in the waiting room! They said he was out on an emergency – He was a dermatologist! Watch my blog for the full story! So I feel your pain and I wish you well with that knee and those stairs!
Surely dermatologists have emergency botox call outs, Lesmarie. Don't be so insensitive!:-)
Those darn stairs seem to have triplicated in the last week. Look forward to your rant on matters medical.
Is this the edited version from the one we discussed on Wed? Pity, would have loved to see the original.
It seems that you have to go to a DR at least 3 times in Durban and then they want to start doing tests on you to delve deeper into what is really wrong with you whilst exhausting your medical aid.
Definitely the edited version Jacqui!
So true SnowPony. My original post which Jacqui is referring to used words such as greedy and moneymaking racket…..but we wont go there.:-)
Yummy! I just got home from the grocery store and bguhot many of the veggies. I was going to make vegetable broth, but you have persuaded me to roast the veggies. I can’t wait! Thanks for your quick, easy , fun and delicious recipes!