Annie's Corner

I am here to write about one of the biggest frustrations of our fast paced, modern world….WAITING!!!! We wait in line at the grocery store or mall stores, wait to get tickets at the movie theatre, keep circling while we wait for a parking place to open up; but the most frustrating and irritating of all we endure is the wait at the doctor's office. 

 First you are expected to make an appointment which is always at their convenience, not yours. How many of us have taken off days from work, or partial days for an appointment? We then rush there to be on time cause with some doctors if you are late you miss out and must reschedule. We rush there to only wait and wait and wait some more for your turn even though you are a scheduled appointment. 

 The anger, frustration, and resentment tick away like the hours on the clock and lead straight to high blood pressure, which shows up when you are finally seen, and the doctor can't understand why. The wait becomes even more frustrating if you are waiting on the results of a test, or procedure, and trying not to worry. 

 What is up with this? I have a life. I must get in and out within a reasonable amount of time as other obligations are pulling on my time. My life is waiting for me outside this office; I need to start living it not rot away in your uncomfortable chair. 

 Also what is with the magazines that most doctors carry? Does any doctor carry any decent ones? Somehow Road and Track and Glamour along with Highlights seems kind of strange for a woman's doctor. Wouldn't you expect health magazines and news magazines, so we can keep up with world events while we wait? I can literally feel the gray hairs coming in as I wait so guess hair color ads are appropriate. 

 Personally I learned long ago to bring paper to write the letters I owe, or the latest book I am enjoying. This is a good time to get reading done as long as you aren't waiting with a gabby patient that needs to talk to strangers to cover his/her frustration. 

 Don't misunderstand, I have the utmost respect for doctors and the services they provide but they must learn to keep their appointments in a good scheduling order. If you are a physician who takes an hour or more with each patient, why schedule a new patient every 30 minutes, which is going to cause a back up. I even realize sometimes the doctor is called away in an emergency, but the office always makes sure they have lots of contact numbers, call and let us know, save us the trip and wait.

 As the sun sinks over the mountains, I finally hear my name called, and to think my appointment was for 3:00. The 3:30 and 4:00 appointment are still waiting!  Sorry!