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Journalisa's avatar

Thursday I spent an hour and a half, going up the complaint ladder, reiterating the issue to any attendant I could get to listen. As an almost 13 year winner of the cancer battle, I've spent the last two years unable to see my oncologist in person due to bureaucratic red tape. Both said doctor and myself had complained before but we agreed during our last telemedicine five minute visit that I would go up the chain of command as high as I could go to stimulate the clerical shift that was necessary to fix the issue. An oncologist can palpate a lymph node to know if it's a problem and I was not going to endure more toxic "contrast" during a CT when I already know the lymph is there but not growing. In person he could palpate and keep track without the more expensive, toxic, and time consuming medical testing. Less than 24 hours later, doctor's medical assistant called to let me know I could now come into the office. Blessed relief. I wish I had read your piece before I aggravated myself during that ninety-minute ordeal.

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Naveed Moeed's avatar

Bravo for drawing on that well of patience that at times like this feels so dry

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Jan Hutton's avatar

High praise, indeed, Naveed. Thank you. Let’s support each other in keeping that well primed.

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Karen Stewart's avatar

Love this.

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Andy Stewart's avatar

Yes, Jan, yes, yes, yes. Keep it up. May we all be bitten by the civility bug. Thanks for being our teacher that day.

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Gayle Roane's avatar

For 7:00am labs, that means no coffee. Of course you needed to tell yourself to “be nice” You area better person than I, Jan!

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Jan Hutton's avatar

Not better, just different. I suspect we are teachers to each other…

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