I have to laugh

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 214 Location: Wauconda, IL

I have to laugh or I'll cry. After waiting 2 months for the results of my celiac panel . My dr's office calls and the nurse tells me she has the results of the test. She tells me the test results are fine. I asked her does that mean they are lower than before? she says they are normal. I could have pressed her for more information, but I really didn't want to make her suffer any more than she was. I am going to the hospital and ask for a copy of the results myself. I bet they mean more to me than they do to the doctor. I really want to know numbers, does she think I won't understand them? does she think that I haven't done the research on what celiac is the second I was diagnosed with it. Do some people really not care what is happening to their bodies that they don't want to know that information??? I'm sorry, but fine is not a sufficient answer for me. Am I crazy to be upset? I really didn't want to start an argument on the phone here at work, but fine???? you tell someone with a fever you are fine, you tell someone with an infection you are fine. you don't tell someone that has a condition that they will have for the rest of their life that they are fine? does that mean I am cured and I can eat like a normal person??? does that mean the first diagnoses was a mistake and I never had it??? OOOOHHHHH I am so angry!!!!!! FINE FINE NORMAL NORMAL I will never be normal againnnnnnn

I never know the right places to put these things!!!!!
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4137 Location: Nebraska

First, take a deep breath. Wink

Second, you need to realize a few things:

1. The answer to all your questions is: yes. Yes, some people would say "Ah, the nurse said I'm fine. I must be fine" and hang up the phone.
2. You might've caught the nurse on an off-day.
3. It's possible the nurse didn't even have your test results in front of her. She might just have a note from the doc saying "Call Fifi. Tell her test results OK".

So kudos for not wigging out on the nurse, and for stopping by the hospital and picking up the actual results. If you need help interpreting them please let us know. Smile

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Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 668 Location: Maine

You might want to have them tag your file with a note that says you would like all copies of test results sent to you automatically, even if they do follow up with a phone call. I think that's always a good idea because busy offices can make mistakes, or you get someone who will only tell you you're "fine".

I hear your frustration. When you asked her specific questions you deserved an appropriate answer, even if it meant her saying that she would have to get back to you with more details. You are not a child and deserve to be treated as an intelligent adult. I'm sure if she gave you info that you do not understand that you would be capable of asking for clarification. Good medical treatment includes good communication, respect for the individual, and educating the patient about their condition.
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Steph

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 214 Location: Wauconda, IL

Thanks guys, I guess between the struggling thread and this phone call it just threw me over the edge. And to top it off my bread machine broke. So I am having a gigantic pity party for myself. No, I try not to take my bad day out on others so I sat at my desk and quietly cried to myself as I wrote out my frustrations to all of you. I am going to a celiac specialist in September. I can't wait to talk to a doctor who won't look at me as if I am speaking chinese and say oh no celiac could not possibly have anything to do with that!!!!! I want to show him the list (or for effect I may even bring the bottles) of all the prescriptions I am taking and say WHY!!!! I may never leave his office.. I felt better talking to his receptionist who understood things I was saying. Now I know this really is not the thread this should be in, but thanks for answering me.
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne