Doctor Office Blues
Not many parents take their kid to the doctor as much as I do. In addition to the regular pediatrician well visits, we see a cardiologist, gastroenterologist and pulmonologist almost every month. That means an appointment almost every week. Not to mention the countless times my paranoia drives me to trek over to the pediatrician’s for something silly! Needless to say, i’m sick of doctor’s offices, but here are a few of the things that push my buttons the most:
Germs! A three month NICU stay can turn any mom into a psycho germaphobe and I am no exception. Nothing freaks me out more than coughing, sneezing and rash covered kids in the pediatrician’s waiting room. While my kid is sick too, I just know what these other kids have is even worse and I can almost feel the germs creeping up on us. I count down to the moment that our name is called and we can get into a room away from the germies!
Waiting Part Two! So our name has finally been called and I am elated to get into a room. The nurse assures us that the doctor will be right in. Only it’s a trick, a downright lie! The doctor is never right in. This usually means at least another 30 to 45 minutes waiting for the doctor. After waiting for at least 30 minutes in the waiting room, baby is already super cranky and bored and now wants to crawl on the germy floor!
Other people’s kids. Not only am I creeped out by their germs, but there is always that one bratty kid in the waiting room that makes you want to get down on your knees and pray that your child does not turn out like that. You’ve seen him or her…the back talking, tantrum throwing, violent, sibling hitting creature that makes you wonder if you remembered to take your birth control that morning.
Forms, forms and more forms. Didn’t I fill out this packet of redundant forms the last time? Doctor’s offices are way behind on technology it seems. Isn’t there someplace I can fill this out online and just share it between all of these doctors? I don’t know the answers to most of the questions anyway. I mean, who memorizes their baby’s social security number or walks around with the social security card? No, I don’t know my husband’s social either, or his office number (that’s what cell phones are for).
Grumpy office staff. Please don’t go into a profession that has anything to do with kids if you have a bad attitude and can’t even fake a smile. After being up all night with my sick child, the last thing I want to do is deal with your grumpy, gatekeeping face. Is drinking your coffee so important that you can’t slide the glass open for one second to acknowledge my existence or answer my quick question? Happiness should be a job requirement for these people!
I actually love all of our doctors! They have been so special and personal in their approach with our family, but boy do I dread those visits. It’s like going on vacation. The final destination is great, but the airport is definitely not! I hope that one day soon we won’t need this many appointments!
© Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
