“It gets late early out there.” ~ Yogi Berra
Always late. Running behind. Tired and frustrated. I can’t help it. I live on MS time.
Half past 10 in the morning and I’m on the phone. Arguing I’m right. Even though I know I’m wrong.
Doctor’s office said I had an appointment today at 9AM. I told them they were mistaken. My scheduled visit wasn’t until next week.
We go back and forth about missing yet another check-up. I stand my ground despite seeing the appointment card sitting on my dresser clearly marked today.
I’m not a liar. I was scared. In the past, I was told if I missed another doctor’s exam I would be dropped as a patient. So, I can’t give up. I can’t start over. I can’t find another doctor. It’s to problematic and I don’t have the will power.
I am sick. I don’t intentionally miss appointments. I have lesions on my brain. I can’t remember anything. You would think since they are my doctors, they would know this.
The lady, on the other side of the phone, was not buying my story. She said I will be reported as missing an appointment.
So, I knew I had to do something drastic. And I am ashamed to say. I cried. Nothing serious. Just some light tears and sniffles. But I made sure she could hear me weeping.
It worked because she began to comfort me. I was given a new appointment date and time.
I thanked her and promised I would never miss another visit again.
After hanging up the phone, I sat on my bed and stared at the wall. Then, out of nowhere, I started crying again. Not a soft sob like before. This time I had full-blown tears streaming down my face. I was sad because I realized my whining will not work next time. I had resorted to use the option that only works once.
Worst of all, I was embarrassed for lying to the doctor’s office staff. And I knew I would probably have to lie again. Because I live on MS time.
This person on the other end of the phone has no clue when they offer me an 8 am appt and I just laugh. No way no how. I sure understand the frustration and difficulties with most appointments.
Nicole, I live on MS time, too. The difference is that I no longer go to the doctor for MS. I do annual check-ups with my GP doctor, along with my husband. AND I have to remind him when we are scheduled. My job of keeping him on schedule seems to be easier than thinking of my appointments. I don’t know why that is, but then I have had MS 38 years.
I can relate to this on so many levels, especially the debilitating frustration. And add Covid to the mix and well, I just can’t. I had an appointment last fall that I really, really needed. I had a list to discuss with this doctor and had waited for the appointment for a while. When they called to move it up to one of the first appts of the day I agreed even though mornings are tough for me. Whatever they needed to get me in there with enough time to discuss my list with the doctor. When the appointment came, I was proud of arriving early because it was so important. The office sent me back to my car and told me they would call when I could come in. In my car I waited, happy to be the good patient. I kept waiting. It was now 1/2 hour later than scheduled time. There weren’t that many cars so how could they be taking so long? I looked at my phone and realized they had called and texted several times and I missed them. I had forgotten my phone is set to silent every day until 9 AM. I rushed in to explain but the office was furious. They said I could see the doctor but only for a few minutes as I was now very late. I had a complete melt down which the doctor used most of the now few minutes I was allotted to discuss. I was able to only briefly mention my concerns and not really get helpful answers, They scheduled a follow up which, as it turns out, was for mental health as I had such a breakdown. It’s the MS frustration that gets me and that we face constantly. I’m so sorry my friend.
Oh my, I clearly cannot get my shit together in the mornings, but the majority of my Doctor appointments are scheduled in the morning! I plead for another day that would result in the afternoon but all are taken, hahaha everyone with a neurological issue wants a later hour. They don’t care about MS time because they are on Doctors time, as many appointments as possible. I have to keep all of my appointments written in a calendar on my desk for my husband to keep track of because of my my forgetfulness. He’s a prince, thankful fir him