Can't See Straight!

Today has been a frustrating day to say the least.

I have to remember that I am my children's biggest advocate.

Dennis was supposed to see an ocularist this week, but I just don't think that is going to happen.

Ever since his last surgery, I have been on top of making sure that his referral goes through the right channels so that he could go this week and be evaluated.

Last Friday I was on the phone for nearly three hours talking to three different people to make sure that Dennis didn't get lost in the cracks. I felt good going into the weekend as if I were on top of things and everything would be fine.

This morning, I called to check on things, and come to find out, his referral had not been sent by a particular office and therefore was not being processed. The office who was supposed to do this, played the blame game and so I called the other office. They had confirmation that they did their part back on April 8th, and so when I called the other office back they said that because it was not an emergency they would get to it when they could. Needless to say, I was very disappointed that due to who knows what, Dennis would most likely not get the referral in time for either of the two next available appointments.

I got emotional and in a raised voice asked what she would be doing if this was her child. I felt the Mama Bear inside me coming out to protect her cub. I asked her if she thought that me getting upset that my son may have to wait a full month before the next available appointment due to someone overlooking his paperwork was out of line, or if she would react the same way. I asked her if she thought that Dennis should have to go without an eye for another month facing numerous needless stares from people. That did not go over well, and she advised me that she would be passing the case over to her supervisor because it was obvious that she could not help me. I thanked her. The supervisor called and was much more understanding and productive.

By this time, I was emotionally worked up inside. I am omitting alot that was said and done just to give all parties involved the benefit of the doubt, but the way I look at it, it basically boiled down to one office putting Dennis' referral on the back burner because they haven't seen him since his surgeries and didn't think that he could hold a prosthesis so why bother making it a priority. I was beside myself upset that no one else considered this a matter worth pushing through in a reasonable amount of time. I was upset that someone thought it was okay to just let Dennis wait till the next available appointment next month. Would they be as casual if this was their own child?

I apologized while at the same time letting them know how I perceived their lack of promptness in this matter made it appear that they did not think Dennis was an important patient. So thankfully, they in turn said they would do all they could do to push his referral through in timely manner.

GREAT!!!! That is all I ever wanted. Just for Dennis to be treated like all other patients.

After getting off the phone two hours later, I literally could not see straight because of the stress of the phone call. Why does it have to be like pulling teeth just to get decent medical services?