Morgan Kate

I have been to a lot of doctor's offices in the past four months. And I mean a lot. I have signed a lot of paperwork. And filled out many, many forms. Recently I have noticed that at several doctor's offices you are required to sign a form that says if you are more than fifteen minutes late or you don't show up for an appointment then you will be billed. Fine. Sounds like a logical plan. I am not personally in the habit of showing up late or not showing up at all, but I am sure it happens. And I am sure this is just one way that the doctor's cover their time and their money. With all of that being said, I am curious about one thing. When the patient has to wait more than fifteen minutes to be seen do they automatically qualify for a reduced charge or even a free visit? Ha, ha. Not likely. Matter of fact, I know from personal experience that you can sit for over an hour before being seen and all you get is an apology, if that. 

Morgan Kate and I had two appointments today at two different doctor's offices. The first appointment was for me. I had to stop by my doctor's office to have some bloodwork done to check my thyroid level. My appointment was at 2:00. I arrived promptly, updated my info and within five or so minutes I was called back to be seen. Ten minutes later I was leaving. Perfect visit. In and out in a very timely manner. Great day so far.

Our second appointment was at 3:45. This appointment was for Morgan Kate. We arrived at 3:35, ten minutes early. We checked in, updated our info and began our wait. We waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. While we were waiting MK had a major blow out. I politely asked if there was a bathroom where I could take her to change her. I found out that there are plenty of bathrooms in this building, but not a single one has a changing table. That's right. We are in a building for CHILDREN, but there are no changing tables. None. And all of the patient rooms are currently filled. I contemplate going back to the car, but then worry that we might actually get called and miss it. Finally, at 4:35 we are called to go back. And at this time MK's diaper is beginning to leak. Yeah. Gross. Once back in the room I change her and again we begin to wait, and wait, and wait. At 5:10 the doctor finally comes in to see us. Now waiting for an hour and twenty minutes may not seem like a very long time, but when you are waiting with a baby it is an extremely long time. Don't get me wrong. Aside from the blow out, Morgan Kate did an awesome job. She was perfectly content and happy and smiling. But after so long anyone would begin to get tired and bored. So around 5ish or so MK had had enough. Once the doctor came in he only spent about ten minutes with us. Yep. I paid a $40 co-pay to wait for over an hour and see the doctor for ten minutes. When I finally went to check out everyone in the office was gone. So MK's chart is sitting on the desk and I am supposed to call back in the morning to schedule a follow-up appointment. Yep, I see that happening.

Sorry if I sound a little upset, but I am. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that patients are expected to wait that long. I realize that things come up and it's often times difficult to stay on an exact schedule. But waiting for almost an hour and a half is just ridiculous. I also realize that emergency situations arise in doctor offices everyday that alter their schedule. However, in that case patients should be notified of the wait time and given the option to reschedule. As a teacher I hold parent-teacher conferences. Can you imagine what would happen if I expected a parent to wait that long to see me? Ha!  

So it seems to me that basically by signing that form the doctor is telling me that his time is precious. However, by making me wait for over an hour to be seen the doctor is telling me that my time is not.

Not only did we have to wait for what seemed like an eternity, but then we didn't get such great news either. Since the end of February MK has grown two and a half inches (which is great), but only gained a pound. And in the past two weeks she hasn't gained any weight at all, despite the extra ounces she is taking each day. 

I'll try to explain. When MK was taking the Neocate we were mixing it so that it had more calories. Basic powder formula has 20 calories per ounce, but we were mixing it so that it had 27 per ounce. Most preemies need that. When we started the Gentlease we didn't mix it that way because we just wanted to see if she would take and how she would do on it. She is taking it and she's doing great with it, but now we have to start mixing it so that it is 27 calories. It's a very simple fix, but just frustrating because we have been busting our tails to get every ounce in and it hasn't even helped. So as of this hour our game plan is to try the new "mix" and come back in two months. I don't think so. No thank you. I will be calling our ped in the morning to come in for a weight check there. And if the scales reveal the same thing (no weight gain) then I will get her equation for increasing calories and go from there. 

Oh and I learned two valuable "mommy lessons" today. One, always carry a plastic bag with you. This bag will come in handy in case of an accident that creeps up your child's back. Secondly, always have an extra set of clothes on hand. I am really proud of myself because I didn't have the bag, but I did have the extra clothes. Yay for me! Oh, and I guess there were three. The third being, always, always, always have an extra bottle on hand just in case your "quick trip" turns into an all afternoon adventure. Today would have been an excellent day to be breastfeeding. Ha!