Rx : Incompetency

   So, in accordance with my Ellis Discharge sheet, but more because I was unsure of a number of symptoms or the chronology of the Lyme Disease, I called the office of my Primary Care doctor.  He was not in, but I could schedule an appointment with another doctor.  My doctor is nice enough and likable, but 3 out of the last 4 times I called, he was not available. I haven't seen him in several years; he did the requisite pre-surgical exam for my first knee surgery, but was out sick for the second knee surgery, and that was 3 years ago.  So I agreed to see  Dr. Katherine Herdzik.   That was my first mistake of the day.

    Or rather, no, it wasn't because earlier in the day I had attempted to get a copy of my Lyme Titer test from Ellis, which they had told me was positive for Lyme Disease.  So I called Ellis Emergent Care, the number they had given me to call for results if I wanted all results, positive or negative.  I've seen way too many errors and omissions to accept an open-ended call for results, "only if positive."

But when I called Ellis, they said I had to call Medical Records.  They contract out to MRO, an organization for that purpose.  I called and they told me I first had to submit a written request, which would start the process.  I said I needed the results now, in case I went to my primary doctor or emergency room.  Too bad, but...So I called Ellis back and said I would pick the results up in their office.  A doctor there told me they cannot release results to the patient.  "Really?" Last year when I was there, I was handed a multi-page report of every blood test, X-ray and lab test they had done that day---without my even asking. I was quite impressed.  But the doctor said that was a mistake; they shouldn't have done that.  He didn't feel that my report had fallen into the abyss, as I had said.  He said if my doctor's office or the ER called Ellis, they would fax the results to them.  So the report IS there. But I'm out of argument---too many at the same time. Plus, I'm extremely tired.

    I called my primary office, advised in advance how to get a copy of my Lyme test, and kept my appointment.  I arrived just at 12. Only 1 other patient was in the office and she was in a lengthy discussion at the intake window, about 20 minutes or so. It may have been about insurance coverage, but could be she just wanted to talk.  I heard her say she was born in 1935; it gets lonely you know.

   Anyway, I finally get called into an  exam room, where the tech takes my weight (OK, I guess), my BP (only slightly elevated) and my temperature (98.6).

She rather apologetically says she has to enter a number of responses on her computer, and she does so:Yes, I have in my home Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide detector also, I don't smoke or use drugs, blah, lah, blah. and oh yes, if  I were to start hemorrhaging I would accept a blood transfusion. She was quite

efficient and personable so I didn't mind.

    Enter the Doctor Herdzik.  Kind of a scrawny figure with a pageboy hairdo and decked out in a 1970's era tan summer  pantsuit.  Of course, as par for the course, she heads for the computer and starts mumbling things.  Like "not there."

From my location in the chair by the door, I try to help, saying "Maybe the report hasn't arrived yet."  She answers that she has a copy of the Lyme report, but her computer screen is wiped clean, with none of the info just recorded available. She never did recover from that, though I offered to fill her in with the details of my symptoms if not my religion and fire safety devices.  She pretty much fussed in the direction of the computer, came nowhere near where I was sitting except to squeeze by my chair on her escape route.  She reiterated generalities about Lyme Disease, and I told her I could accept the fatigue, and aches of Lyme, but had been deeply concerned about the severe and spreading fiery pain along my entire leg after a single mosquito bite Wed. evening. Lyme can affect the nerves and cause itching, she tells me, and states she would not prescribe anything different from the Doxycycline I was taking.  And she said nothing about a follow-up appointment either.   F.U.
  She did say that the Lyme Titer report said I had "all the characteristics" for Lyme Disease.  She told me that having one episode of Lyme does not prevent me from having it again, But I am just concerned with getting through this cycle for now.  Help me now, damnit.
    I wonder if this office will be open much longer, with all the urgent and ergent facilities springing up all over the place. So many of the  incompetent and unmotivated will find increasing employment