Laugh don't Cry

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 02-18-2005, 10:41

A friend of mine, Jay Graves, used to tell me that when you find yourself in deep Kimche laugh don't cry. If you cry you can't see your front site blade!.

I'm putting this in this tread because if it wasn't so damn pathetic it would really be amuzing. I got a call today from the local hospital concerned about a letter that I had written to them almost 5 months ago. Let me put this in perspective. When I tore up my knee last September I went to the local hospital emergency room where I was met by some frigging doctor with attitude and lousy people skills. Shortly after that I received a letter from that hospital wanting to know how I rated their facility. Now at this time I was laid out in the VA hospital to which I had transferred myself to get this problem taken care of, was on big time pain killers and could have given a damn about being tactful. So I sent back a heat seeking critique. One week later, I was transfered to a VA rehab center and received this nervous phone call from the same civilian hospital that sounded like the prelude to a Boston Legal episode concerning my critique. My tact had not improved, nor evidently had my PC language skills so I followed up that call with a letter. This was in November 2004. This morning, while I was watching the critters out of my window munching on corn and bird seed, I get a phone call from the head civilian doctor in the local hospital concerned about my letter. I was more than pissed that it took them that long to respond so I immediately adopted my defensive team sergeant attitude when someone tells you that your team has post support. Anyway, the conversation went like this. "Good Morning, I am Dr. N... and I am calling about your letter and would like to address your concerns". Me, "Yes, I know who you are". Dr. N. "You Do?". Me, "Yep". Dr. N. "Is that good or bad"? Me, "Depends on your perspecitive-what can I do for you?" Dr. N., "Can you review for me what your concerns are?" Me, "Certainly. First of all I am concerned that no one had the professional courtesy to follow up on the letter I sent inquiring just what in the hell you were going to do about resolving the lack of professionalism and apparent don't give a shit attitude exhibited by your medical staff. Second, I wanted to know if you had done anything about the recommendations I had made concerning the haphazard approach to medicine in your facility that you asked me for." Then I went into the specifics and the Doc wanted to know what else they might be able to do to regain my confidence in their facility. Me, "Well I am not after anything like a year's supply of tongue depressors, a pen with the logo of the medical center on it, or anything concrete. The only thing I want you to do is answer the specific questions I asked in my basic correspondance. Now don't misunderstand me, everyone can have a bad day and perhaps your Doc did or perhaps he wasn't capable of making a sound diagnosis but there is absolutely no excuse for his lack of professionalism and not getting basic information on the patient. If the individual worked for me I would have fired him." Then he sort of summed up the whole thing for me when he answered, "Well I have known Jerry for 5 years and I will discuss it with him". Damn, Jerry, Jerry, I can just imagine how far that will go. So I answered, " Good, you discuss it with Jerry and I will discuss it with NDD." "NDD"? he stumbled with. "Yep, NDD-he knows things"

Now I am sure somewhere in Gifford Memorial Hospital some secretary is frantically searching through the internet and medical library trying to figure out what NDD is. NDD, I hope you didn't mind-I just couldn't resist using that line from one of your quotes. It gives me a chuckle everything I think about it and I needed to see my front sight blade this morning as I was hot enough melt ice.

Jack Moroney

**The Reaper** · 02-18-2005, 10:54

Sounds like Jerry will get the "Verbal Admonishment", probably over drinks. Something like the old, "Now Jerry, that old retired psycho you treated five months ago is still POed at you, so please try to be nicer to patients in the future. Now have another Vodka Martini, my treat."

Tell him that NDD is your Samoan attorney, and that he will get satisfaction for you, one way or another.

TR

**Kyobanim** · 02-18-2005, 10:57

NDD - Patient Advocate!

God that was great! I spit pretzel pieces all over my keyboard.

jatx · 02-18-2005, 11:20

Hmm, you might try a different tack. I.e., send the guy a thank you note and token gift (bottle of wine, etc.) expressing your gratitude for his taking your concerns seriously. Ask him to keep you posted on the outcome of his "discussion." Follow-up in ten days and I guarantee that the urge to at least partially recirpocate will lead him to have a more frank discussion with you. Then perhaps ask if there is a patient advocacy board at the hospital with an available seat for a member of the community.

I believe you'll be more satisfied with the end result. With any luck, you might even get to be a permanent thorn in his side!

**Razor** · 02-18-2005, 14:23

Ever notice how everyone encourages 'candor', but are horrified when you actually employ it? I've stunned teachers and administrators at my childrens' school when I actually tell them what I think about this or that 'good idea' they just hatched.

Sacamuelas · 02-18-2005, 18:38

LOL

"He knows things...." hahaha

NousDefionsDoc · 02-18-2005, 19:20

Quote:

NDD, I hope you didn't mind-I just couldn't resist using that line from one of your quotes. It gives me a chuckle everything I think about it and I needed to see my front sight blade this morning as I was hot enough melt ice.

I am honored Sir. Awaiting target folder and C.A.