Phenomenal Lab Work

After a bit of a rough patch last year, my husband went in for his annual exam this week. What he had has been resolved but it took a few months. He is a very healthy person for his age and for that we are very lucky. His biggest issues are allergies of unknown origin and lately a few dental implants. So lab work is always a part of any annual exam. Unfortunately the phlebotomist wasn’t available when he went to the office - which is right across the street. So we set up an appointment for yesterday at Virginia Hospital Center. Even with an appointment we had to wait twenty minutes but all of the paperwork was already completed on line. We found a parking spot right in front and headed to the OP lab. Within the hour the results were already available to check. How things have changed since we were both practicing in health care. Anyway, everything was completely normal except for two items that make no difference - CO2 and vitamin D, and they were hardly off the mark. I don’t know a lot of people who have such great results including myself. So it was a day to celebrate! His doctor said with the way things are with him another ten years wouldn’t be a surprise. Now that’s good news! 

Washington Radiology

The tests were ordered last July after having a virtual doctor appointment. Over the last few weeks we have been making in person appointments because we are both vaccinated. Hair cuts, dentist, eye doctor, and now radiology tests. Since we moved to northern Virginia I wanted to keep going to Washington radiology. But instead of continuing at the Chevy Chase site, I made appointments for the Fairfax site. The distance is about the same either way, but it’s easier to park and navigate. So my husband drove over with me but he was not able to keep me company due to the covid regulations. He sat in the car for the duration. It was raining so at least it was bearable. The place was packed, with masks, and spaced out sitting. Because of my particular situation the orders are always questioned but eventually were cleared up. It felt weird being by myself and resuming “normal” activity. It’s the first time I was weighed for a while and surprisingly was less than the last time. The results of the tests were sent to my doctor, and she commented on them in the patient portal. I finally got around to making an in person appointment to meet her, but that won’t happen for another three months! My husband got an appointment for this month with his doctor. Either mine is very popular or everyone is making appointments after staying away for over a year. I feel like I’ve aged about ten years - overall tired, dry eyes, skin issues, back pain at night, hot flashes even with small dose hormones, and who knows what the blood work will show. I just keep thinking about what the future holds (knowing my parents medical history) and it seems like the best is behind us. I really enjoyed not having to see doctors and dentists, but I think I will be paying for it. Being a nurse doesn’t help. At least we don’t have to go far because the office is literally across the street. It’s one reason we decided to move to this location. Let’s hope we don’t need to use it much. 

Two Sore Arms, Medicare Screen, and More Appointments

It’s a week for doctor appointments. Monday was the eye doctor, and today was my annual check up. Both visits were in DC because we haven’t switched up our doctors yet since we moved to Virginia two months ago. And it’s a pain to get there - you need to leave at least an hour beforehand just in case of traffic or other disasters. We took our usual route down Independence Avenue, passed by our old house and went to Eastern Market to the office. Then we wandered through the streets we walked about for so many years. Because this was my first official Medicare visit, it took FOREVER going through another full interview process. Today I needed a pneumonia vaccine, was given a script for shingles - which requires two injections at a pharmacy, needed another new prescription while trying to eliminate another, thinking about routine screenings - colonoscopies, mammograms, maybe surgery, cardiology checks, and other visits... then on to a cursory physical exam while still fully clothed, then blood work. This time she had to stick me in each arm because she forget she needed a second tube. I wasn’t happy. After two hours I was glad to get out of there. Now I need to take a deep breath and search for doctors closer to home. When we walked back to the car we thought it was stolen - but then realized we were on the wrong street. The neighborhood just isn’t what it used to be in more ways than one. 

ZocDoc Reminders

I worked in health care for thirty years. Lately it's been very difficult to make appointments at our primary care physician office. It used to be both my husband and I were well known to the physicians we used to see in Milwaukee and rarely had any difficulties. In late June I was looking for a dermatologist and stumbled upon ZocDoc. I was sent emails about that appointment before, during, and after that visit. Since then I've been constantly reminded about all kinds of routine appointments that I should make. This one was for a gyn exam. I suppose if one is very haphazard about planning and scheduling health care visits it's a good thing. But we aren't, so this can be somewhat irritating. Now, after trying to make an appointment for an annual exam for the last four months and finally succeeding, I have to reschedule it because of a work related conflict. I think the idea is to see whatever practitioner is not busy to keep productivity up for everyone and scheduling systems in some offices don't work anymore. Or, as both my husband and I are finding, we're just out if the loop on how things are done these dats - even though we were both making a living at it for all those years.