WANTED: An OB/GYN doctor. Sees patients on time. Doesn’t pass judgment on nontraditional pregnancies. Orders the correct bloodwork. Small hands preferred.
I’m searching for a new doctor because I’m tired of mine screwing up bloodwork.
My doctor wanted to test my progesterone levels, which have to be tested on Day 21 (during ovulation) of my cycle.
So on December’s Day 21, I had blood drawn. A nurse called with test results.
Nurse: Your pregnancy test came back negative, and your blood type is O negative.
Me: Uh…I know that. I thought my progesterone was being tested.
Nurse: Hmmmm…the doctor ordered blood typing. Did you have a Rhogam shot after your miscarriage? When you’re pregnant or miscarry, the hospital tests your blood type and they give you a shot so you don’t have problems with your pregnancies.
While I was pregnant, I read about this shot. But since Kiefer and I were both negative blood types, I didn’t need it. I knew that.
But when someone with some medical background says you’re supposed to get a shot so you don’t miscarry…and you’ve already miscarried…you start flippin’ the eff out.
And if you’re me, “flippin’ out” means tearing up while thoughts run through your mind that the miscarriage could have been prevented.
A couple hours later, the doctor called me back saying the nurse was “confused”; I didn’t need the shot, but I should come back next month on Day 21 for the progesterone testing.
More needles. Fantastic.
Right before my next blood draw, I ate a piece of chocolate to calm me down…yes, just one because I don’t really like chocolate anyways I have excellent self-control when it comes to sweets because only one piece was left.
So I was chocolate-pacified and ready to be stuck. Except the doctor forgot to write up the order. So I waited. And waited. And waited.
I waited in an office full of pregnant women and mothers with babies.
And I remembered why I was there…why I was having blood drawn…and I started to tear up. And then I remembered that needles freakin’ hurt, so I started to get upset at the anticipation of that.
Finally, they called my name…and it was the most painful blooddraw yet.
Lady, my veins aren’t deep! STOP DIGGING!
And I thought that was the limit that my heart could handle. I almost passed out. But I didn’t.
Unfortunately, the blood wasn’t drawn while I was ovulating, so I have to go again next month. And every month until my blood is drawn during that 2-day window when a woman ovulates.
I thought that was the limit that my heart could hold.
It could take months to have blood drawn on the right day. Why am I still doing this stupid testing? I’m single!
Really? A few pricks were upsetting me? What happened to the woman who was completely prepared to raise a child on her own if Kiefer didn’t propose? What the hell happened to 32 and the turboslut turkey baster method?
I’m gonna kick that needle’s pointy little tushie! See you on Day 21, biatch.
Turns out my heart can hold a bit more.
Favorite Comments From Last Post:
- “Asshat. x10.”—Blissful Britt
- “I’m sure he only pinched you to make sure you were ripe.”—Skipping Stones
- “Immaculate conception by leprechaun? The Bible kept that part quiet….”—Bevchen
March 20th, 2013 at 7:18 am
I was reading this and feeling so upset for you and then I got to the end and am so glad you came out of it swinging. You still need happy juju and more chocolate though. I’m on it!!
March 20th, 2013 at 7:55 am
Not just chocolate . . . booze. At least until you’re preggers. I think I can fill that prescription by the end of the week. 😉
March 21st, 2013 at 6:17 am
I can’t remember…does the BBQ place serve key lime pie martinis?
March 21st, 2013 at 6:52 am
I’m not entirely sure, but we sure will find out!! 🙂
March 20th, 2013 at 8:00 am
Do what I do and get drunk before you get the little prick. *Ahem* That sometimes works with the big prick too. 😉
March 21st, 2013 at 6:20 am
I’ve heard it’s good to drink after, too. You get drink quicker.
March 20th, 2013 at 8:08 am
I must say I’ve been “mucked about” with by the medical profession. Last time I went to the doctor I told him it was a toss up between coming to see him or just getting on with dying because that was less irritating. His eyes were a picture. In truth it was a fairly minor ailement, and much less emotionally charged than yours, but I still get frustrated by them. My goodness I’m going on a bit. See what | mean !
March 21st, 2013 at 6:21 am
“I told him it was a toss up between coming to see him or just getting on with dying because that was less irritating.”—This is exactly how I feel!
March 20th, 2013 at 8:16 am
Oh Thoughtsy, you have a powerful heart. Don’t ever doubt that. The first February after the kids came to live with us I went to the store and bought a bag of those hearts and ate them all in the parking lot, crying because everything was so hard. I love their little messages.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:22 am
You had a lot of new additions at the same time! You are a trooper!
I love the messages…except when I get the same one a gazillion times in a row.
March 20th, 2013 at 8:22 am
I would get a new doctor. I know you’re probably comfortable with this guy and finding a new one is always a little stressful, but it doesn’t sound like anyone knows the what hell is going on. And if you say “The doctor said I needed this test” the nurses usually hate to admit they’re wrong or the doctor and they dance around an answer. Like you’re the patient, they have the degree, how would YOU know what you need?
Pregnancy is over rated.
March 20th, 2013 at 9:08 am
I’m looking to switch doctors and specifically checked that my friend’s doctor didn’t have fat fingers before I got his contact info.
Also, ugh.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:25 am
Ob-Gyns should have some type of hand-size limit. Like when they apply to medical school, they should have to submit a xerox of their hand, too: “Dear Potential Doctor, While your application was impressive, we have to reject your Ob-Gyn speciality. Please pick another focus.”
March 21st, 2013 at 8:58 am
Definitely.
March 20th, 2013 at 11:44 am
Huh. What are they looking for? They can test you after you’ve ovulated and know by the progesterone lever IF you’ve ovulated. Also if you need to get tested WHEN you’re ovulating, you could take a home ovulation test and then go in when it’s positive. I don’t understand this shot in the dark day 21 testing.
I’m having similar issues – a lot of not getting back to me, seeming like no one is on the same page, etc. I don’t understand how an office whose main clientele is nothing but worried people can’t make it a priority to reduce the stress level of their patients as much as possible.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:27 am
I guess my doctor thinks I like being stuck with a needle a gazillion times.
You seem like you know what you’re talking about. You should be my doctor.
March 20th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Hospitals make a mess of drawing blood. I go to a professional “lab” to get mine done. SmithKline or one of the others does a much better job. Hospital labs usually give you an intern to do it. Also, think about seeing a fertility specialist. And get that turkey baster ready. Sisters are doin’ it on their own.
March 20th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Oh Thoughtsy, I’m so sorry these asshats are adding to your pain, instead of helping you. Good for you for finding your fighting spirit!
March 20th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
You could always do what I did to scare my OBGYN away. I accidentally let one go and I think we all wished we were dead afterward. No need to explain why I didn’t go back. He didn’t come looking for me either.
March 20th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
You are one bad ass bitch and yes, your doctor is FIRED! What a douche!! I hate needles, but I am trying to convince myself to go donate blood because that’s what good folk do.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:29 am
I really should donate blood because I’m O-negative, the universal donor. But I’d rather slice open my arm and bleed into a cup than get stuck with a needle.
March 20th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
I will not be your doctor. I do know you’ll be ok. It will suck until you are, but you will be ok. That’s my diagnosis.
See the nurse on the way out and she’ll let you pick a sticker.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:29 am
Please tell me they’re scratch-n-sniff stickers.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:32 am
They are, mostly. But the hello kitty ones are not.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:35 am
Can you spray something on the Hello Kitty ones? Hello Kitty’s Chococat is my favorite.
March 20th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Doctor doctor, goodbye doctor… ugh!
Cheers
CCU
March 20th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
You will not be ovulating because you were with a Leprechaun remember? I have to get blood drawn once a month and I see people in the waiting room all the time in panic mode. I know your pain.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:30 am
Oh, right! I hope my baby doesn’t come out green.
March 21st, 2013 at 4:17 am
Ugh, stupid doctor. It really does sound like you need a new one – one who knows what the eff he’s doing! Like the fact that are even in this situation isn’t bad enough without moron doctors adding to it!
March 21st, 2013 at 4:43 am
I wouldn’t work out why you had a Dove heart when you were talking about chocolate, then realised your chocolate is called dove, whereas in the uk, our soap is called dove! Don’t give up 🙂
March 21st, 2013 at 6:31 am
We have Dove soap, too. The liquid version looks exactly like white chocolate syrup. People confuse them all the time.
March 21st, 2013 at 10:19 am
I’m sorry that your doc’s office is making the process harder for you.
My doc is awesome-sauce! And the NP is even better… I think you should just live here and I can hook a sister up.
March 21st, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Hey thoughtsy. I have a lot of info on this if you are interested. I understand if you are overwhelmed with suggestions, but if you’d like to hear my experiences, please shoot me an email or give me yours (I can’t seem to find it). My email is sdcountrywife@gmail.com.
March 24th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Yikes…looks like your doc office needs a lesson on sensitivity. Sorry you’ve had to go through this sucky process – but one day, your willingness to get to the bottom of what’s happening, will most likely mean you’ll have a beautiful baby at the end of it all.
March 27th, 2013 at 8:15 pm
You can do it!
And when you do, I’ll even get on a plane and come to congratulate you in person.
April 11th, 2013 at 7:38 am
[…] when the Dove chocolate gave me a sign? Well…I’ve decided to let chocolate dictate my […]
October 3rd, 2013 at 8:06 am
[…] in December, my doctor’s office screwed up. They were supposed to test my progesterone levels, and instead they told me my blood type. That […]