Jennifer Lyon


Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
Tuesday’s Gripe

This is me:

Except I’m nowhere near as cute, and my sleep cycle is malfunctioning. Yesterday (the day I typed this) was non-stop. And can I just say that I am getting really tired of the medical system that treats us like cattle?

It took over 2 hours to get Broken Leg Boy’s x-ray.  The system is so sad, that when the lady FINALLY called BLB back, he hobbled on his cane, his surgery scar and swollen leg so obvious that people were actually wincing as he walked by. But that x-ray gal? She wanted to know if he had an injury or was just there cause his leg spontaneously started hurting.

SERIOUSLY?

BLB, who has way more patience than me, said, “Injury.” Then let her shoot the x-ray. Once she saw it, she’s like, “Oh, you had surgery.” Yeah, I imagine the metal plate and seven pins were a real surprise to her since the cane, swollen leg and pronounced scar didn’t tip her off.

Okay, yeah, I’m being a real witch. Sorry! I promise, I’ll be better by tomorrow (Tuesday) when you all actually read this blog. After all, BLB is steadily improving, I’m getting some writing done whenever I can, and over all, life is good.

Now it’s your turn. Anything you want to gripe about? Share now!

10 comments to “Tuesday’s Gripe”

  1. Viki S.
    March 20th, 2012 at 2:23 am · Link

    You’re allowed to gripe. I often wonder how people function they appear to be so incredibly stupid. Makes me think of Leno when he goes to Universal asking people questions. Sad state of affairs.

    I have my prayers flowing and my fingers crossed that all goes well at the surgeon today for BLB.

    Hopefully you can get some rest.



  2. B.E Sanderson
    March 20th, 2012 at 8:24 am · Link

    Feel free to gripe. Medical people tick me off in general (even if I know there are individual people in the profession who are awesome). I could tell you some stories – maybe one day we’ll get together and swap anecdotes. LOL Yeah, that tech should’ve been a little more thoughtful and there’s no way you should’ve had to wait that long.

    So, my dishwasher started making funny noises last week. I called a repair guy. Of course when he ran the damn thing, it behaved perfectly. The minute I loaded the dishwasher after he was gone, it acted up again. Another call and a whole weekend later, he comes back, pulls some unidentified plastic bits out of it and declares it fixed. Last night as I was running the dinner dishes, it started squealing like a frightened guinea pig. Sure, I have the world’s oldest dishwasher, but seriously? And I just know my landlady isn’t going to spring for a new one. :grump:

    Not the world’s hugest problem, but it’s the only gripe I have right now. :-?



  3. Julie
    March 20th, 2012 at 8:44 am · Link

    Kudos to BLB!!! I do not have that kind of patience and have been not so nice to medical personnel who appear to be stupid. I could go on for hours about the dumb things that happened when Drill Sgt. Girl was at Children’s Hospital.

    My personal pet peeve right now is people who sign on to do a job, hold that work, and then say so sorry im just too busy, leaving everyone else scrambling at last minute to get the job done. And how hard is it to take 2 minutes to respond to an email when others are relying on your information? I understand insanely busy and being overwhelmed, but when you take responsibility for something where others are relying on you, you can’t decide later that something else is higher priority (outside of emergency/critical situations).

    Ok, soapbox is officially put into the recycling bin!



  4. Kat
    March 20th, 2012 at 9:13 am · Link

    Your son is a real trooper to be able to have that much patience with that much pain.

    Medical issues and all the hoops people have to go through to get help. I am a social worker and I know the hoops but there is no short cut for anyone trying to get help with medical services or any other kind. That is why I have a full time job just helping people get through the paperwork. Then the way you are treated at times because you have a government help if you get it.

    Julie is your recycle bin big enough for my soap box too?



  5. Silver James
    March 20th, 2012 at 10:32 am · Link

    OMG! The stupid it hurts so bad. And it scares me. I hope she worked the X-ray machine better than she could communicate. That’s just…wow. I’m so proud of BLB! He’s so…solid.

    The only gripe I have, beyond stupid people in general, is at myself. Iffy has gone on Spring Break and I keep opening projects, staring at the page, and closing them without doing a thing. Then I go curl up and read. Yeah. I know. Pathetic, right?!? At the moment, I’m blaming it on the time change. I haven’t dragged my sorry arse out of bed before 9 a.m. since DST hit. I fail on so many levels. :lol:

    Ok. I’m going to open some projects and stare now. Later, witches! ;)



  6. Jenn
    March 20th, 2012 at 11:22 am · Link

    Viki, thanks! I’m really hoping the surgeon will say BLB is doing well.



  7. Jenn
    March 20th, 2012 at 11:32 am · Link

    B.E., I bet we could swap stories! The system sucks and it almost forces those working in it not to care anymore out of sheer self preservation. On the other hand, we’ve had some truly amazing luck, including the surgeon called in on Christmas day. But it’s crap like yesterday that makes sick and injured people suffer needlessly.

    Sympathies on your dishwasher! It’s a constant annoyance when our appliances don’t work right. I hope your landlady will buy a new one.



  8. Jenn
    March 20th, 2012 at 11:37 am · Link

    Julie, I can’t imagine having a younger child in the hospital. BLB is an adult, and even on morphine knew to call me when things got ugly in the hospital. His dad and I were there ASAP and put a stop to it. A young child is just too vulnerable.

    Oh yeah, I totally feel for you on the person holding you up because they aren’t doing their job! That happens way too often as a writer. I’m waiting on something now that’s beginning to make me grind my teeth. I hope you can find a quick resolution.



  9. Jenn
    March 20th, 2012 at 11:43 am · Link

    Kat, I know you see it everyday. I’m impressed that you handle it so well and keep a positive attitude. The thing is, there are excellent people in the field who truly make a difference. I try really hard to remember that.

    BLB is very patient. He also has a razor sharp wit but fortunately, chooses to use it sparingly. He just feels like he has nothing to prove to these folks.



  10. Jenn
    March 20th, 2012 at 11:47 am · Link

    Silver, it really is scary. especially fort people who just don’t have the same education, experience and resources. They are at the mercy of a flawed system that can cause additional harm.

    Thanks on BLB.

    Okay, I’ve been there where you are now. It’s the most frustrating, unbearable feeling. I really hate the term writer’s block because it’s not a block. We can write, it’s more like our passion just isn’t there. And without the passion? What’s the point? But it will return. Hang in there!



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