Charm Personified
Last night I was suddenly and unexpectedly flattened out by an upper respitory infection. I didn't know that is what it was at the time, I just knew I felt terrible and could not sleep.
This morning I called Phillip back home so I could go to the doctor. I have had enough pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory infections in my life to know this could be potentially very bad.
So I made it to the doctor's about mid morning. It was a new doctor, Dr. Johnson, because my usual GP had no open slots. In the waiting room I filled out the requisite new patient paperwork. I came across this section:
By the time I got to the examination room an entire hour had passed. Actually, over an hour. It had been an hour and 15 minutes. I was beyond irked because waiting for a doctor longer than 15 minutes is my pet peeve. You may have seen my Twitter update saying that I was going to start charging the doctor for my time.
Finally, he arrived. And I forgave him immediately for making me wait. He was charming, had a twinkle in his eye and basically had the prettiest bedside manner I ever did see. He had a southern drawl, was interested in me, made clever jokes, and was basically charm personified. I somehow left there with a big old smile on my face, a sense of reassurance that I was going to be okay, and some antibiotic prescriptions. I didn't care that I had had to wait so long.
And although as I left I could see him sitting in his office chatting with someone in a very unhurried and relaxed manner while the waiting room continued to fill up, I think I am going to abandon my GP and make him my doctor.
This morning I called Phillip back home so I could go to the doctor. I have had enough pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory infections in my life to know this could be potentially very bad.
So I made it to the doctor's about mid morning. It was a new doctor, Dr. Johnson, because my usual GP had no open slots. In the waiting room I filled out the requisite new patient paperwork. I came across this section:
I figured I should be as honest as possible about my "work" situation, so I went ahead and filled it out.
By the time I got to the examination room an entire hour had passed. Actually, over an hour. It had been an hour and 15 minutes. I was beyond irked because waiting for a doctor longer than 15 minutes is my pet peeve. You may have seen my Twitter update saying that I was going to start charging the doctor for my time.
Finally, he arrived. And I forgave him immediately for making me wait. He was charming, had a twinkle in his eye and basically had the prettiest bedside manner I ever did see. He had a southern drawl, was interested in me, made clever jokes, and was basically charm personified. I somehow left there with a big old smile on my face, a sense of reassurance that I was going to be okay, and some antibiotic prescriptions. I didn't care that I had had to wait so long.
And although as I left I could see him sitting in his office chatting with someone in a very unhurried and relaxed manner while the waiting room continued to fill up, I think I am going to abandon my GP and make him my doctor.
Charm goes a long way, doesn't it? Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky that I have a doctor with the same bedside manner without the wait; HOWEVER, I have in the past waited as long as you have for someone that will take their time with me :) it would be a waste of MY time if I was seen right away but the Dr. couldn't care less about me, just my money!
ReplyDeleteI really hope you are feeling better by now. LOVE the chart: occupation, mother. I felt the same way when I filled out my paperwork to join my gym. They asked me if I did heavy lifting, and my answer on their chart was, yes, "mommy." Great minds think alike.
ReplyDeleteCharm, well, at least you found the wait worthwhile. My experiences with drs. have never been that fortunate.