Hi River,
I'm really sorry to hear about your broken bones. I'm mad about the way they were treated by the medical community treated them. It seems that the medical community has a, "Well, they're not WALKING on the leg so its no big deal"! I saw that a lot after I broke my femur. Medicare goes easier on the clinics as far as what they can get away with. I suggest speaking with someone who can tell you what all of your option are before this goes any further. Stay strong.
With Love,
CtrlAltDel aka Dave
C4/5 Complete - 29 Years Post
Texas, USA
River Wolfe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi everyone,I'll try to keep this short. I recently broke my leg and 4th metatarsal. I didn't know I had broken them until two or three days after it happened. My foot was black and blue and my leg was swollen more than usual. I called my Dr. and she fit me in that day. She saw my leg and sent me to have an x-ray and venous doppler (blod clot test) that afternoon. I had both tests and was released. I asked about the x-ray and was informed that since my Dr. hadn't ordered a "wet read" the results would be sent to her in 3-5 days. I was a bit puzzled - what if my leg was broken? I was told that the x-ray wouldn't be read that night. The doppler was negative. I went home and thought maybe the Dr. would hear the results if it was broken but no one called me that night. The next day I called the Dr. on call (before the practice opened) and it was my Dr. I left a msg on her cell about what had happened. It was her day off that day. She never called me and again I was puzzled but assumed that it was ok since I heard from no one. But in the back of my mind I knew something had to be wrong for my leg to so swollen and my foot so bruised. Next day I called as soon as the practice opened and was put through to my Dr's nurse who told em I had a spiral fx of the distal tibia and 4th metatarsal. I about flipped!!!!!she put the Dr. on the phone and I was polite but very upset. She was apologetic and tried to blame the x-ray staff until I told her what they had told me about her orders. She then admitted she should've ordered a "wet read" but asssumed if it was broken they would page her anyway. I asked her about the msg I sent her on her cell and she flat out admitted she "forgot all about it".Needless to say folks I was fuming and upset. Then guess what happened next??? Dr. said she would schedule me with an orthopod and call me back within the hour. I got a call back from the nurse and she told me I had an appt in 5 days!!! I flipped again and the nurse said "it's only a small fx". To which I replied that I wanted the Dr. to call me back immediately. The Dr. was very quiet on the phone and said she would find an appt for that day, which she did.Folks I had some stressful nights deciding whether to return to this Dr, or find another one at another practice, or stay in the practice with another Dr. who I have seen on several occasions. I decided to make an appt with the Dr. I had seen on several occasions and request that she become my primary. I just couldn't return to the Dr. that made not one but THREE mistakes. So I saw the other Dr. who is "good friends" with the old Dr. She was a bit defensive for her friend and collegue but agreed to check with the manager to see if she can be my primary.Two days later I received a call from the practice manager who said that I cannot change Dr's. It's against the practice by-laws. I was pretty upset but polite. Why was it I who was being punished for something I did not do? I explained that I'm a paraplegic and have been with the practice over 4 years and it's really difficult for me to change primary care Dr's for continuity purposes. That by staying in the practice it made it much easier for me. I like the office staff I really like the Dr. who screwed up, but perhaps she's too busy for the complex needs I have. She insisted that they follow practice guidelines. I begged her to speak to the Dr. who made the mistake before she makes a decision and that perhaps this time they could bend the rules?She said she would call me on Monday after speaking to my old primary. The Dr. I want to be my new primary told me that the other Dr. said she would be surprised if I returned to the practice at all.After speaking with the office manager I don't want to go back. Why would any practice do this sort of thing ? I understand the "no compete clause" but this is a special circumstance. The old primary's caseload is full-she's not accepting new patients, her overflow goes to the Dr. I want to take over. I just don't see the problem.I need some input !!!Thanks,River
