The doctor will {not} see you now

I have had drama on top of drama in trying to get set up with a doctor upon moving here. I knew it wasn't going to be easy--living 90 minutes from where you work has it's own special brand of issues. But, the very first allergy doctor I chose in a good city near-ish my office had a sign that wasn't so much in English. The office itself looked more like elementary school portables, and the receptionist was channeling the mom on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, only she topped off her red bra with a white T-shirt. classy. The real icing came when she told me my insurance apparently wasn't going to cover the visit, so it was pretty much a waste of time/money since I wasn't going to pay for testing out of pocket. The doctor's appointment finished up in time for rush hour traffic to hit, so I got to hang out in the town for 2 hours before getting home at 8 p.m. All for a non-visit.

After a month of gathering info/going between my current employer's HR and my former employer's insurance... I finally gained coverage for pre-existing conditions.

So I tried again. I made an appointment to get established with a general physician, this time in the town I live. I can get my allergy meds filled, and I can be in their system should I ever get sick. If the doctor seemed component, I could ask for suggestions on an allergy specialist.

My plan: To leave work at 2:30 to make it to my appointment by 4. This should not be a problem--it should have taken a good hour to get there. But, on this given day, public transportation was running like molasses and I showed up for my appointment almost 30 minutes late. To find out that the doctor was not even in the office that day. Yep. They scheduled me at an office in a different town and just kind of forgot to mention it.

They took me to the office manager (eh?) and she told me no one could see me. As I gulped back tears to tell her I left work at 2:30 and traveled two hours to get there, the only solution she could offer was to come back the following Saturday. She was kind, and did all she could. And I am thankful that for Try No. 3, I won't have to beg time off work. Again.

It's funny how the Chinese Water Torture of something that should be so simple can just make you feel absolutely trampled. I hate asking time off work to go to non-doctor's appointments. I hate trying to pick a doctor from an insurance list when you don't know if they are qualified or rude ... or even going to be in their office that day. It reminds me how out of control of any given situation that I am. My mom asked me if I'd been praying for patience, and if so, maybe I should stop. :)

Sometimes you just want something simple to BE simple ... I desperately need a lovely, relaxing, simple weekend. Deep breath .... and proceed.