You need to know that this probably is a rant. Read it at your own peril. It is what it is, however. The truth.
I think that I lost a friend, today. No, I’m pretty sure that I lost a friend, today. Days have not been particularly lovely, recently. Surgery didn’t happen when scheduled. Correcting the problems leading to that decision to postpone (or cancel?) that surgery haven’t been progressing well. The weather is so extremely hot that not having house AC makes life somewhat miserable. What was an empty calendar for this month filled up quickly so that free time is no longer free time.
This “free time” has allowed me to continue with my physical therapy appointments, however. And, so, I left my house, today, to keep one of those appointments. During the past week, I received an e-mail with a request to complete information with my health history because “this was my first visit.” When I received that e-mail, I laughed – first visit – NO! I’ve been a patient at this PT provider for years. And, so I called the office to ask about the situation and was told that more information was needed for my file – no explanation about why the need existed was explained. Would I please just fill out the form on the computer and send it back. “I’ll try,” I said.
Although, I don’t do well with this kind of request, I thought, perhaps, I could do this. These forms usually are not easy for me to fill out; truth be told, I usually just wait until I get to the office and fill out a pen and paper form. Those I understand. When I couldn’t fill out the form on the computer, I called the office, again. Explained that it wasn’t working for me and was asked to just come in early so that I could fill out the form there.
That was my plan; I arrived early to fill out the form. Only the form was not a pen and paper form as I expected. It was one of those little handheld jobs with the questions in a font that I could not read. The font was so small and without contrast, that after attempting the first screen, I stopped. And, when asked if I was finished, I gave the reason that I was not.
I’m not precisely sure what occurred next. I probably said something like, “I don’t mean to be so difficult, but this is just not for me.” And, I explained that a paper and pen form would be more to my liking. I’m sure it was clear that I was not happy. I probably said that if this was going to be the case from now on – not having a real pen and paper form that I could work on, it was – in all likelihood – a situation that I had to review to see if it could be tolerated. (While this discussion was going on, I was the only person in the waiting room.)
I didn’t know at that time that this seems to be a new requirement from Medicare. That this form must be required to be submitted from here forward. I was told that my physical therapist would be using the information on this form to guide my treatment. (Again, I wondered how reading this form would guide a therapist that I’ve been seeing for years. Doesn’t the therapist know my situation and, thus, my treatment requirements?)
At any rate, one of the office staff said that she would help. She read a few of the questions that I answered, said that she would be able to complete the form, and took it away. That suited me. In other offices where I cannot read the words on the printed page, one of the office staff is always willing to assist with the process. I remember, also, apologizing to her to let her know that it is not my intention to be difficult; that someone with macular degeneration who needs the greater contrast and larger font simply isn’t able to read that little font and low contrast on that stupid, little computer-type thing. And, so, I was finally called for my appointment with the therapist.
Again, I remember telling the woman who took me to the treatment room, the same woman who helped with the form, that I apologize for being such a grump. She assured me that it was okay. Hmmm….
When my therapist entered the room, there was an immediate explosion that I had no reason to berate the office staff, filled with many “to be deleted” words. I was taken aback at this explosion. This from a person who, after how many years, had become, I thought, a friend – not just a therapist. This continued for several minutes. At this point, both therapist and patient were yelling at each other. I said that I was there because I really did need the treatment; the reply, I think, was to get on the table so the therapy could begin. I did not.
I am not accustomed to being verbally attacked and abused. I did respond in kind but with no expletive-deleted expressions. Especially during and after I explained that I had apologized to staff, if I had offended anyone. As I sat in the room, listening to this diatribe, during which the therapist said several times that I could leave if I wanted to, I did decide that I’d had enough. And, I said, “I’m done.” I left the room and the facility and drove home.
I have thought about this situation during these afternoon hours while awaiting a thunderstorm that never materialized. I’ve thought about it while making food and eating. I’ve thought about it when letting my visiting dog out into the heat and back into the cooler house. I have wondered if this schism in my relationship with my long-time therapist (and, apparently, the office staff) can be mended.
It is very likely that this therapist will never want to see me again; perhaps, the entire staff feel the same. And, I wonder if it is important and worth it to even attempt to mend it. Pretty much, I’ve decided that it cannot, and that it is not. That means that I will need to leave this physical therapy office – that is the best in the area – and find some other place to get the work done – the second best? I am not happy about that!
I’m eighty-eight years old. It seems that there are other ways of dealing with people, even those who are old; that being berated for some action (perceived or real), that the person thought had been taken care of was unacceptable and inexcusable.
As we say, time will tell.
Be safe and be well.
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are always appreciated.
NOTE: Why on God’s green earth has Medicare instituted such a burden on the elderly. So many of us do not have computers, are definitely not comfortable with electronic devices, and have health issues that keep us from using those things. Is there anyone who takes into consideration the limits of the elderly when “requiring” the use of such devices?
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