Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Know Your Ologist

Maxfield has to undergo a series of Blood tests to determine why he has a low white blood cell count. So far they have taken his blood 4 times and he is scheduled to have blood drawn 6 more times in the next three weeks.

We need to see a blood specialist after all the results come back.

Lauren called the pediatrician after the last test to check on the results as well as get information about the specialist. She was put on hold so the nurse (the same nurse from this story) could retrieve the info. After a few minutes the nurse comes back to the phone and says,

“Yes Lauren, you were holding to get information about the Oncologist”

(Pause)

(Pause)

(Pause)

Lauren gulps and says, “WHAT?”

The nurse, I guess hearing the concern in Lauren’s voice says “Oh I’m sorry. I meant the Hematologist.”

To which Lauren responded, “Don’t scare me like that!”

I know that in pediactrics Hematology and Oncology go hand in hand. I know there are a lot of Hematologist/Oncologists doctors. But seriously does the nurse have to use the "O" word.

This nurse is absolutely a fucking idiot and has no Phonse-side manners.

19 comments:

Tammy said...

Someone needs to drag her out into the middle of the street and shoot her.

kimmyk said...

I'd talk with the pediatrician about her.
I work for a medical group that has 70+ doctors-quite a few are peds..
We get "counseling" all the time regarding phone etiquette and returning calls with lab/test results just to keep us on our toes regarding a good "bedside manner".
Someone needs to remind her where she works and what she does. Sorry she freaked Lauren out. Maybe ask for a different nurse to give results next time or have the doc return the call himself. Just a suggestion.

LizzieDaisy said...

Holy crap I think I would have had a heart attack. Hope her heart rate has come down by now... at least she didn't need any aerobics that day right? :)

Nico said...

I hold her, so everyone that visits "Poop and Boogies" can beat the hell out of her.

Kari said...

OMG! Does this woman have children? Isn't this a ped's office? Is there anyone in her life that she cares about? How can she not see what she's doing to Lauren?

Lots of credit for Lauren not going down there and riping this nurses throat out for saying all these horrible slip ups! I'm not sure I could have resisted...


Our prayers are still with all of you that all this turns out to be nothing...(((hugs)))

Jewl said...

Dear God, I stopped breathing while I was reading that!! Holy Crap, poor Lauren!! I am so sorry that you all are going through this... My prayers and thoughts are with your little Max and family.

I would make a complaint with the Doctor.

Cheryl said...

What Kimmyk said. And nico too. Prayers that Max is a-ok.

Kami said...

JESUS! I would have crapped myself. Poor Lauren.

Nature Girl said...

You hold her Nico, there won't be anything left for anybody else when I am thru with her! I can't believe some people! Can you request someone else be your liason from now on...someone who KNOWS what they are doing? I pray for your family and especially little Maxfield that all is well! Good luck. Stacie
(I talk big, but I'm mostly harmless, but if you really want, I could send bad vibes her way!)

Anonymous said...

Poor little Max. I had lots of bloodwork done when I was about his age, too. No fun. (Not that I remember any of it now.) But it was surely more traumatic for my parents than it was for me - my mom still talks about how scared she was. (And she didn't have a fuckwit nurse making it worse.) Hang in there, y'all. You're in my thoughts.

Effie said...

I agree--someone should talk to her boss or something--that's TWICE now that she's scared the crap out of Lauren--inexcusable!

cassy said...

Yep, shoot her. But I would tell her boss. That's not okay.

Lois Lane said...

It isn't often I have the urge to smack the crap ouot of someone I never met or talked to myself. Stupid nurse!
Best of luck to the little guy and all of his tests. We have a rule in our house, one I think you should adapt. If any of us have to go for a blood test or shot, we all have to go for ice cream afterward. It's just a rule.
Lois Lane

DCK said...

What a total nincompoop she is. You can't pull at people's heart strings like that.

Dottie said...

Poor Max! I hope he is done with the needles! I would report her to the Dr, too. She really needs to be reminded to speak with caution.
I don't remember how I found your blog but enjoy reading!

Ern said...

That's TERRIBLE!

eclectic said...

I swear I left a comment on this already, but dang if I can find it. It was something along the lines of " OH MY GOD!!!!!" Unbelievable. Hope the news is good news from here on out.

Cat said...

Good lord. This woman is a MORON. Kick her ass. Real hard. That is all.

Susie said...

Oh, man. Very seriously, her boss needs to know of these two incidents. Once, OK, maybe, but clearly, this woman is off the charts incompetent. I hope you two do speak up about her. I am so sorry that happened to you. As if it isn't distressing enough, having to get holes poked in your baby for Godonlyknows what. And still hoping and praying here, that all is very well.