Working the Process

I am all about using a process to develop a quality end product; therefore, I use process because I believe in it, especially as it affects the final outcome.

The MRI on my cervical spine was this morning, so I arrived promptly at 8:30 am as directed. Prior to beginning the scan, I asked if I could speak confidentially to the woman administering the test, and she agreed. I briefly explained my frustration at being referred specifically to a hand specialist by my primary care physician, then being changed without prior notice to a knee specialist.

She was not surprised that my appointment was changed, but was taken aback that I was not notified of the change prior to showing up for the appointment. She was incredulous that I clarified to the desk personnel that I was to see Dr. X, a hand specialist, but was told (basically) see the other doctor or leave. T, the MRI nurse, told me that, as the patient, I have the right to be seen by the doctor with whom I made the appointment and certainly had the right to refuse to see the other doctor whose speciality isn't even close to including the hand.

I also explained that I didn't see the doctor, just the PA, so have no idea whether he does as well with hands as he does with knees -- or if I was just fobbed off on him because he had an open appointment to fill with me.

I asked her candid opinion as a 20+ year employee at the clinic, and she assured me that the hand specialist is top notch, but that the knee doctor is also good in ortho and quite competent to work with me through this diagnostic process. She did add that depending on the results of the tests, the knee specialist may himself refer me to another doctor within the same clinic. T also allayed my concern about paying for expensive tests that may not result in a diagnosis as she had an issue in her cervical spine that resulted in hand surgery! She did note that I have arthritis in my cervical spine, as well as my shoulder, which also has deformity caused by the bowling injury, so the MRI on the cervical spine is warranted to see how all of that is affecting my physical well-being.

I had the MRI. I refused the earplugs, the headphones, the eye shade and the face shield as THOSE make me claustrophobic. If I just close my eyes, breathe deeply, and think about anything other than my upper torso confined inside a metal tube, I do okay...

... especially when I watched Benjamin Bratt in The Cleaner last night to prep for pleasant thoughts to distract me during the MRI this morning.