Today there were several things that had to get done from a very long 'to do' list.
Phone calls, one major appointment, followed by more phone calls, appointments to BE booked, and some medical bills to take care of.
Let's start with my ambulance trip in December. They can direct bill certain insurance companies. My insurance company requires direct-billing. They absolutely will NOT pay for claims after-the-fact, which means I will not be reimbursed for claims that have been paid for by me, since (for some reason) they could not direct bill my company. So now I have to do all sorts of extra paperwork to try and have this claim paid for - an ambulance trip that (according to my insurance plan) is 100% covered.
Ugh.
My major appointment today was with my surgeon. This is the year that I will be undergoing a hysterectomy (for several reasons). There is a medication that I am taking that is no longer fully effective, and without it, I have massive life-threatening episodes of my Angioedema. There are several issues at play here. Due to my previous bowel surgeries, those organs have been moved, my stomach cavity is likely riddled with scar tissue, and they are hesitant to open me completely - but a laparoscopy would have to be performed by at least one, probably two, laparoscopic specialists. Then, because of my Hereditary Angioedema, they will not do the surgery until I am on some sort of treatment plan because of the catastrophic risks involved by undergoing anesthesia. Then, a treatment plan for my Hereditary Angioedema will not be started until the investigations of the possible immunodeficiency are concluded. In order for THOSE to be concluded, I have to go and get three vaccinations, then do further bloodwork in 8 weeks, then see what comes back as a result. That doesn't even mean that we will necessarily have an answer... So I won't see my immunodeficiency specialist for at least three months. Furthermore, she may send me for more diagnostic tests and she has hinted at the possibility of me needing to consult a hematologist.
So - for argument's sake - let's say that all of those investigations are finished in four months. (Ha). Then my surgeon needs to coordinate with two laparoscopic surgeons, a general surgeon, one, maybe two, anesthesiologists, and another obstetric gynecologist. Then schedule the procedure. In all likelihood, this all could take 9 months or longer (ironic timing).
Okay so those are the logistics.
Have I mentioned what sitting in a waiting room of an OB-GYN is like? It is chalk full of women who are pregnant, couples who are pregnant, couples with kids, moms with kids.... And there I am, sitting by myself, and I can feel that people are staring at me, trying to figure out if I am pregnant, looking for a belly, a wedding ring, and then giving that sympathetic 'poor you' smile for having to go to that appointment by myself - as though they are thinking that I was recently knocked up and the guy bolted. These waiting rooms suck.
It's like salt on a rusty blade of a knife going through an already open wound at a different angle.
Once that's over, I head home to book my vaccinations. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pneumococcal (23 isotypes).
The first phone number that I was given is not the correct number. (Seriously, you would not BELIEVE how often this happens). The second number, however, lead me directly to a booking clerk. Now let me be very clear - this is a BOOKING CLERK. Not the nurse who will be administering the shots. Not necessarily a nurse at all. I was told - simply - to call and book the vaccinations, and I was given a letter by my immunodeficiency specialist to give to the nurse who will be the one administering the shot.
First she asks if it's for my son or daughter. (Ouch). And follows it by asking my marital status. (Double ouch ... Although now that I am dating someone, that question is much more bearable). And THEN she starts to question me about the vaccinations themselves:
1. Who said that you have to get that specific vaccine?
-" my immunodeficiency specialist, (Doctor's Name). "
2. What is she ordering that for?
- I wanted to say - how the F should I know, I'm the patient. But I'm me, so I say: "she is investigating an immunodeficiency and wants to determine whether it's genetic or, instead, secondary to a pre-existing auto-immune condition." - you know, because she's an immunodeficiency specialist.
3. Oh. Well do you have an auto-immune disease, or are you immunosuppressed?
- no I just said pre-existing to screw with your head.... But I reply:
"Yes, I am on Methotrexate for Crohn's Disease and I also have Hashimoto's and a few others" Because really, is she even listening?
4. Well we don't normally give this particular vaccine to anyone under the age of 65 unless under extreme circumstances.
- aren't you the effing booking clerk?!? Just book the goddamned appointment and let the nurse administering the shot read the effing letter that my effing specialist specifically wrote for your convenience. My reply: "I understand that."
5. Well I can book a date and time for you, but you will need to bring your previous serology bloodwork results as well as consult letters and test results showing evidence that you, indeed, have an auto-immune disorder.
- seriously?? First of all - those results are on Netcare and are a click away from your goddamned computer which I hear you typing on. Secondly - my effing SPECIALIST is sending me for this for diagnostic purposes. Take it up with her effing office if you have a problem. But I delightfully reply: "yes, that will be no problem. Thank you so much."
Then, ironically, my immunodeficiency specialist's nurse called me this afternoon for another reason, so I simply asked her if she could send me my serology results along with a new requisition form that they have to send me anyways. She even said that it was unusual for them to ask the patient to bring in bloodwork results since they are on Netcare and nurses have direct access to those results.
In another realm, the surgery could have been scheduled within three months' time, with maybe two surgeons and one anesthesiologist. The vaccination in question would not even be occurring. And one phone call to a booking clerk could have lasted all of two minutes - to book a simple date and time.
I mean really. I am not working. My schedule is wide open for appointments and the vaccination appointment is literally a ten minute slot. Plus, I never would have gotten an ambulance bill and would not be required to chase after insurance companies to pay for a service that is covered.
Okay. Rant over.
I cannot even explain how mentally and physically exhausting a day like today is.
Although, next time I meet with my surgeon, I am very much tempted to wear a ring on my ring finger and to stuff my shirt with a pillow so that people stop staring trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing there. That way I look married and pregnant and no one will give a hoot. (Yes I said "hoot"... I think I've sworn enough in this post).
Cheers to the end of a frustrating Monday. I am having a glass of wine and going to bed at 5pm.