Hospitals, honestly, if you weren't previously thrown into a psychosis before going to one, they are certain to plunge you into one while you are there.

This morning I got a call from the medical clinic I went to on friday who advised me that they had made an appointment to get an ultrasound done on my leg at 1:00pm. The events as follows are being blamed for my current fragile mental state.

12:45pm - I take my leave from my wonderful air conditioned paradise to the hellish, and otherwise frementing heat that has cucooned Kamloops as of late. Destination : The Hospital

12:47pm- BAD DRIVER ALERT! There IS a speed limit on the highway buddy, and it's NOT 40km!!! Ok, road rage released....

12:50pm- Driving down columbia (or up, whatever) I look to my right to witness an event that I've dreamed of ever since my first Disney, and later on rekindled in my first musical "The King and I". I saw a man walking down the street, ipod securely tucked in his ears putting on a fabulous song and dance routine for the benefit of onlookers everywhere! Fabulous!! (I must explain that I've always longed to be witness to an individual, or group, break out in a song and dance number in the middle of the street, as it displays in musicals.) So, whomever that was, thank you, you've made a dream come true!

12:56pm- Upon arriving at my chosen (or forced upon) destination, I find there is no parking to be had at the entrance of the hospital. No problem, I decide to try my luck at the parking garage. It's monday afternoon, there should be lots of parking available. Oh how wrong was I!

1:08pm- Frustration engulfs me, beginning to turn to rage. Thankfully my Rent soundtrack is blaring to keep me centered... Second time thru the parking garage. Ah Ha!! SUCCESS! My trained eagle eye spot a vacancy. I take possession of the treasured parking stall, and leap out of my vehicle A.Q.A.P (refer to the Producers for those of you who didn't get that one), and race to the elevator.

1:13pm- Unaware of what I'm supposed to do, and a little intimidated by the fact that this is a hospital, I timidly go up to the admitting desk and ask the "lovely" woman with phone growing out of her ear and inform her as to why I'm here, and ask where I need to go. Her response was a curt nod to the other woman at the desk behind me, and her eyes looked like she could tell me EXACTLY where to go, and how to get there...

1:18pm- I'm waiting in line gazing hopefully at the one with power behind the desk to see if I will be the next chosen one

33p1:m- Yup, still waiting

1:38pm- Finally, I'm signalled to move to the chair in front of the desk. "Your name". "Why hello, yes, nice to see you too, your right, the weather has been unbearable." No small talk? Just trying it on. "Your name isn't on the list", where have I heard that one before?? Your supposed to be having a different kind of the ultrasound that no one whithout advanced medical training can pronounce. You'll have to wait over there.

1:45pm- BACK WHERE I STARTED WHEN I FIRST CAME IN!!

1:47pm- Once againe facing the "pleasant" woman behind desk number 1. After glaring at me for a few seconds, she asks my address, and then has the nerve to ask why I'm so late!! ARGH!!!!

1:55pm- Waiting in line now on the 7th floor. Can I get a referral for 1-South????

2:40pm - Finally getting my ultrasound. Nurse tells me to take my pants off, wow, what a greeting! Could ya maybe shut the door to the ajoining room first? And the one to the hallway??? Seriously now. Also looking around for the sign that states the No Talking Rule. I must have missed it.

Anyhoo, an exuberant amount of noises from the ultrsound machine, short outbursts from myself (come one, give me a break, the women kept squeezing my foot!) , and an apparent ban on pleasantries did not leave me with a whole lot of warm fuzzy feelings as I exited the hospital. If you are reading this, and you are a nurse, or someone behind one of the desks, I understand that the job is very taxing, and can be long and frustrating, but please, at least smile at the people you come in contact with. It will make a huge difference.

Song of the Day: One and Only - Mercy Me

posted by Tennille @ 2:55 AM

6 Comments:

At 9:38 AM, D said…

Don't take me to the hospital unless I'm dying!
Glad you made it through so quickly. It's entirely possible you could still be waiting.
At 11:08 AM, Anonymous said…

When ever faced with an unhappy person, such as the ones that you described I try to remember that they may have had a bad day, I try to make eye contact and smile at them. I also try to thank them very pleasantly. I hope that their day brightens and that they will be more pleasant for the next person that they have to help. This is not in my nature, I often want to respond with the same ugliness that they show me, and it take a conscious effort for me not to.
At 9:17 PM, Paul & Wanda Moores said…

Careful how many times you use the word "ultrasound" in your post. Any more than once is grounds for starting the obligatory "she's pregnant" rumor.
At 7:14 PM, Anonymous said…

Oh Neilly...what a lousy experience. I wish I could have been there with you to make it fun. Mwahahahaha. ;)
At 2:51 PM, Annie said…

Ahhhhhhhhhh! I work in a doctor's office and we are maybe, MAYBE, the only nice medical assistance staff in existence. In the entire world.

Having to call other doctor's offices/hospitals is the worst. The staff can be so, so, SO rude. There are some majorly miserable people out there, man. I feel for ya.
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