And things are hectic and crazy and disorganized and emotional. And all I want to do is go to the zoo with the boys but I can't. I have to unpack and de-clutter and make important decisions about where things will hang on the wall and not cry. There's so much to do... I just don't know where to start. Here's my to-do list in no particular order:
Right now the crawling-into-a-box option is looking good to me. Particularly after this afternoon when I tried to follow up on a referral with a breast oncologist. Here's the phonecall that broke the camel's back:
Me: Hi, my OB/GYN referred me to see Dr. Soandso and I wanted to make an appointment.
Witchy Receptionist: Ok, why are you being seen by Dr. Soandso?
Me: Well, I just found out I have the breast cancer gene and my OB/GYN thought I should see a breast cancer specialist to coordinate all the screening stuff...
WR: You do realize this is the Arizona Cancer Center, right? Dr. Soandso only sees people who actually have cancer. I don't think Dr. Soandso is the right doctor for you to see. Maybe you should check in with your general practitioner or your mailman or something.
ME: FINE! Then I'll come back when I actually HAVE CANCER and kick you in the shins. Really super hard.
Just kidding. I wasn't rude with her even though she spoke to me like I was an idiot and refused to schedule my appointment. Instead I told her I'd have my OB/GYN get in touch with them again to clear things up.
And then I hung up the phone and cried and cried and cried. Mostly because I was worried that she was right. Dr. Soandso probably has more than enough actual cancer patients, she doesn't need some young 25-year-old whining in her ear about a disease she doesn't even have (the receptionist actually said, "you're only 25, why are you worrying about this?")
Then I stopped crying and realized one thing.
That witchy receptionist is an idiot.
The National Health Institute guidelines recommend that BRCA carriers begin screening at age 25. I'm young, but not too young to start. They also recommend that the screening be done at a facility that has a breast MRI machine. Something that I doubt exists at my general practitioner's office. (Plus, I don't even have a general practitioner.)
I'm pretty sure the Arizona Cancer Center sees non-cancer patients all the time. In fact, they have an entire High Risk Program within their breast cancer clinic. Maybe Dr. Soandso won't end up being the doctor who manages my screening but she was who I was referred to and all I wanted was an appointment. Instead I came away feeling like a total hypochondriac, something I'm constantly worried about.
So today I was reminded of lots of things I don't have...
I don't have blinds on my windows. I don't have plans to make dinner (sorry, Clark). I don't have furniture to fill my empty rooms. But guess what? I DON'T HAVE CANCER! And even though that means I'll have to fight to get appointments with "actual cancer" specialists and even though it means I'll constantly be explaining myself and feeling silly and insecure, that's okay. It's fantastic even. I'd rather be a BRCA carrier than an idiot witchy receptionist.
7 comments:
So sorry about the receptionist fiasco (I too HATE feeling like a hypochondrias!) But on the up side, your house is fantastic!
I love your new house,it looks like lots of windows to let in the sunshine!! Lucky!! I 'm a little jealous because I want to have a house in Tucson. WE were there this weekend, I was actually going to call and see if you guys wanted to get together and go to the zoo with my family, but I assumed that you guys were here in Mesa with Clark's family.
Having been and worked with many receptionists, I can honestly tell you she probably was just to lazy to do the extra work of getting you in. Keep trying, you are being Proactive about everything and that DOES NOT make you a hypocondriac! Hope you guys had an awesome Thanksgiving.
I thought I heard your cries from across the street. Moving is the pits and stupid receptionists are even lamer. Sorry you had to deal with that. Don't stress about the unpacking--it'll all get done eventually. I'm just a holler away!
Leave those boxes out, stick some Christmas stickers, Christmas wrapping paper and lights on them and tell the boys its Christmas decorating. It will be their best Christmas ever.
Sorry to hear about the receptionist. I feel ya on the moving stuff though. Our garage is still filled with boxes that I need to unpack, but don't want to.
I'm glad I read this after I saw that they apologized. Or else I would have hoped they fired her. All valid points, that receptionist is an idiot. Hopefully they at least had a nice long talk with her...
Shoot! I've been thinking about you guys a lot lately and wonderinghow the move was going. It is never fun. Wish we lived closer so we could help!
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