know they are backed up anyway. Now if you are punctual and arrive on time, they make you wait 2 hours in the waiting room reading all the magazines other sick people have touched. Sitting for hours in those uncomfortable chairs with frustration stewing beyond belief, the nurse opens the door. We all look at her with excitement in our eyes wondering if she will yell your name. The nurse calls out, “Mr. Quindlen”, Finally, it’s you. You stand right up to attention with a half ass smile on your face, because you don’t want to piss off the doctor and have them place an asterick next to your name saying you were an uncooperative patient.
Now you are excited because you are going behind the closed-door beyond the waiting room. You gather up your belongings and you walk with a pep in your step, but disappointment soon follows when you find out the nurse is only taking your vitals. You then proceed to go back out in the waiting room and wait another 45 minutes til you see the doctor. Although, once back out in the waiting room you find your seat has been taken and now you must stand until the next patient is called.
Finally, the nurse calls your name for the second time, you Again gather your belongings and walk sluggishly to the exam room, only to wait another 15 minutes til you see the doctor. The doctor walks in and asks you, “How are the med treating you, Do you have any new symptoms”? Well, lets run some tests and I’ll see you back in a month. GREAT, we get to do this all over again next month. The visit with the doctor only lasted 10 minutes. We got there at 9am and we left after 2pm, we’re starving, had to fast for blood work and now it’s too late for lunch to be served…..that’s our American Medical system.
Footnote, Don’t forget to bring your own book and a snack for the ride home.
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