This past Wednesday, Adrienne schlepped me to my last appointment with my orthopedist regarding my recent right knee replacement surgery. I am fine; however, the medical industrial is quite sick. My appointment was scheduled for 9:45 a.m. The orthopedist (and Adrienne and I both like him very much) walked into the our examining room at 11:15 a.m. Is there anything funny about the modern medical industrial complex?
#1
#2
#3
#4
If you think about the idea that we keep recreating our childhood situation and trying to solve it, including bringing our crazy to work, the same is probably true for medical professionals. I know some of the craziest tales of my life involve the medical profession, second only to family stories.
I never thought about that, Neola. For some reason, I have it stuck in my mind that medical professionals have worked out their childhood issues. But when I stop and think about it, it’s a bit alarming. My orthopedist is such a nice person, but perhaps it’s because he has this need to be liked because his mother told him over and over that he wasn’t going to grow up to be much of anything. So he spends an inordinate amount of time with his patients.
Overall, I am very cynical about medical professionals. I think they call for far too many tests and prescribe far too many drugs. So cartoon #3 holds much truth for me.
Unpopular Opinion: Lawyers, the media, corporate weasels, academics, celebrities, etc – are all pretty much the same. Some good, some bad, some great, some evil. I’ve had amazing doctors and nurses and some truly dreadful. I often wonder if I would be kind or empathetic if I was a less miserably unhappy person during most of my life. Maybe things will be clearer in our next life as to how everything works.
I don’t see you as “miserably unhappy”. Seriously, I don’t.
I’m not these days.
Sorry, dear one. xoxo
Don’t you just love the horse in cartoon #1?
I did not get that cartoon (blush).
The cartoon, at least for me, shows how the medical staff pulled out all the stops to save the patient. Dark humor, I know, which I tend to like. A trombone? Boxing gloves?😄
It will be no surprise that I liked #4 the best. Its simplicity causes an immediate reaction.
No. 2 had a touch of black comedy which I tend to enjoy.
Like minds, Adrienne.
Sharon, I’m glad your last appointment proves you are doing well. It’s good that your doctor sees your great progress! As for your cartoons, I think #3 is pretty accurate, although I never thought about that as being a reality. Albeit a sad one.
Here’s another example of poor respect of “patient’s” time: Yesterday I went with a neighbor to pick up her cat after surgery. The office knows how close she is from the office (10 min). When she was called to come pick him up, she was told he was ready to go. We got there quickly, then waited at least 30 min (but I think it was a bit more than 45 min) before he was brought out. Poor Laurita was beside herself with worry. All’s well, but what a ridiculous wait!
Laura — I think it’s particularly difficult when the doctor delays an update for someone you love, and in Laurita’s case, having to wait for her beloved feline. Seems cruel and unnecessary. It was good of you to accompany Laurita to pick up her cat. I assume this is the cat with whom you have a special relationship?
All are funny. I laughed out loud at number 4. I thought that the allergist I was referred to would be lightweight and he turned out to be the most thorough and the most concerned. The infectious disease doctor was no help at all. There is no figuring things out. Glad you had a good doctor Sharon — whether he is on time or not.
Yeah, you have a point, Charlotte. Better to have to wait for a good doctor, a doctor you trust, than a doctor you don’t trust. Glad you are feeling better because that was quite a nightmarish episode you experienced!