This blog was formerly dedicated in 2009 to my Dad who died of Alzheimer's in 2013. It's been three years now...and I find myself missing blogging...so I am re-inventing my blog... because, after all, life is about moving through, and going forward...

Monday, August 30, 2010

We're Half Way There...

I called the nursing home this morning to make sure everything was set for Dad's 11:30am appointment with the vascular surgeon.  The charge nurse told me everything was ready and the male CNA, who is so nice to Dad, will go with him to the appointment.  Mom will meet them at the surgeon's office.

I asked the nurse to call me when Dad returned and fill me in on what the doctor said.  She promised she would...

No phone call.

Mom called and told me the surgeon said Dad's circulation was very good.  The wound on his pinkie toe is almost healed, but he said it was a trauma.  He suspects Dad hit his toe or rolled over it with the wheel chair.
Dad had to wait a half hour before he was seen.  Mom was upset, because she was there at 11am and told the receptionist Dad was on his way on the transport.  The receptionist told her to let them know when he arrived. 

When Dad arrived with the transport and his CNA, Mom informed the front desk.. She was told they had to wait for a "wheel chair" room.  WHAT A CROCK!  After a half hour, Dad was called, and his CNA was directed into the room Dad used to go into when he was not in a wheel chair.

Mom watched the doctor as he took off his coat and went into his office. After twenty additional minutes, Mom asked the receptionist if the doctor had gone to lunch!  She looked embarrassed, and told Mom he was probably writing his notes...

Mom felt bad having both the transport and the CNA having to wait so long...Mom said the doctor did not mention seeing Dad again or made any comments about his compression stockings.  The receptionist needed a copy of Dad's Medicare and Medi-Cal card, so after Dad was finally on his way back to the nursing home, Mom had to drive home and bring back the cards so the doctor could have his copy of Dad's cards.  I thought the charge nurse told me she had all the paperwork in order!!!

Tomorrow I will call and make sure everything is OK with Dad's foot....Dad thought he was there to get glasses...

4 comments:

Mari said...

Sounds like it turned out ok, but it sure could have gone smoother! At least his toe is doing good!

betty said...

LOL about your dad thinking he was there for glasses, but I'm not mocking him, I typed a report the other day when the doctor described a patient as "pleasantly confused". I like that terminology if one has to be confused in the first place.

what a nightmare on the waiting time. Seems standard though these days but not fair to all who were involved in getting your dad to his appointment.

hopeful everything is going well with the foot though so he won't have to go again to that particular doctor (or at least for a long time)

betty

Chatty Crone said...

What a hard road to hold. sandie

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I hope that your dad is doing okay.
God Bless,
Ginger