Once again, finally something to say
Hello flist! Once again in a long while I have emerged from my silence to post on my journal about the events in my life.
I finally got a metro access pass and today I took a bus to go visit my Ophthalmologist for my yearly exam. It usually takes about an hour. Well, I got home about 4:40pm. I left at 9:09am. Yes, there is a tale to be told.
I waited for over an hour to see anyone, and finally a woman came in and did a small intro exam, then told me the Doctor would be in shortly. Then she returned about 20 minutes later and took me to another office to wait once more. Finally Dr.Engelstein arrived and began the exam after talking to me for a bit. It was my first visit to this man so I appreciated the time he spent. We did the test and he started to ask me questions about the lasser surgery I had about 6 to 7 years ago. Then he told me he wanted to do another test and then left. We repeated this scene 4 more times with different woman who did the tests and waited for the Doctor to return each time. Finally the Doctor returned and asked me if I knew the name of the Doctor who had done the earlier surgery. I did not but I did remember the city it happened in. He began to name Dorctors and the first one was my man. Then he told me that I had significant cataracts and he needed to find out what the old records from my past doctor said.
Ok, now I was getting a bit freaked. He left and I got to sit there and stew. And worry. Finally he came back and told me that he called my old doctor and was promised to be sent the old records by fax. He sat down and explained exactly what he had found and what he wanted to do and what I had to plan for. The old records were only to confirm what he felt he needed to do and were only going to be helpful but not truely required. I did have cataracts and they were advanced enough that I would need surgery. Then we did one last test. Sigh. 6 tests total and the wonderful news that I needed surgery. However, he did explain completely why and how we were going to proceed. He then dictated a letter to my primary care physician about what he had found and would do in front of me so he could be sure I understood and had no questions he had not addressed. How rare, a Doctor who actually answered questions. How wonderful as well. I had said early in this endless day that other than the information that I needed laser surgery, my old Doctor hadn't really allowed me the time to formulate the questions I wanted to ask. So I now have an appointment for surgery for April 1, 2009. Okay, all you smarty pants, just leave me alone. I am not going to justify the date or even excuse it. I think I am going to completely ignor the date. At least after the 1st, my eyes will be much better. Lord, what a day!
I finally got a metro access pass and today I took a bus to go visit my Ophthalmologist for my yearly exam. It usually takes about an hour. Well, I got home about 4:40pm. I left at 9:09am. Yes, there is a tale to be told.
I waited for over an hour to see anyone, and finally a woman came in and did a small intro exam, then told me the Doctor would be in shortly. Then she returned about 20 minutes later and took me to another office to wait once more. Finally Dr.Engelstein arrived and began the exam after talking to me for a bit. It was my first visit to this man so I appreciated the time he spent. We did the test and he started to ask me questions about the lasser surgery I had about 6 to 7 years ago. Then he told me he wanted to do another test and then left. We repeated this scene 4 more times with different woman who did the tests and waited for the Doctor to return each time. Finally the Doctor returned and asked me if I knew the name of the Doctor who had done the earlier surgery. I did not but I did remember the city it happened in. He began to name Dorctors and the first one was my man. Then he told me that I had significant cataracts and he needed to find out what the old records from my past doctor said.
Ok, now I was getting a bit freaked. He left and I got to sit there and stew. And worry. Finally he came back and told me that he called my old doctor and was promised to be sent the old records by fax. He sat down and explained exactly what he had found and what he wanted to do and what I had to plan for. The old records were only to confirm what he felt he needed to do and were only going to be helpful but not truely required. I did have cataracts and they were advanced enough that I would need surgery. Then we did one last test. Sigh. 6 tests total and the wonderful news that I needed surgery. However, he did explain completely why and how we were going to proceed. He then dictated a letter to my primary care physician about what he had found and would do in front of me so he could be sure I understood and had no questions he had not addressed. How rare, a Doctor who actually answered questions. How wonderful as well. I had said early in this endless day that other than the information that I needed laser surgery, my old Doctor hadn't really allowed me the time to formulate the questions I wanted to ask. So I now have an appointment for surgery for April 1, 2009. Okay, all you smarty pants, just leave me alone. I am not going to justify the date or even excuse it. I think I am going to completely ignor the date. At least after the 1st, my eyes will be much better. Lord, what a day!