Did You Write This With Your Feet?
Costa Rica, Doctor/Physician, Medical Office, Wordplay | Healthy | July 13, 2018
(Recently I discovered I have a mass next to my right knee; this, mixed with constant pain on my back, makes me go to a doctor. She recommends I get x-rays for both knees and back, and gives me a paper with all the indications for the professional in charge. Problem is, I can’t understand the handwriting, but she assures me they will.)
Receptionist: *on the phone* “Welcome to [Clinic]. How can I help you?”
Me: “I need two x-rays for my back and knees, as well as an ultrasound of my right knee.”
Receptionist: “What kind?”
Me: *tries to read indications* “Sorry, I can’t read my doc’s note.”
Receptionist: “Send it to us through [number].”
(I do, and wait ten minutes for the receptionist to return to the phone.)
Receptionist: “According to this, you need one x-ray of your knee, one of your feet, and one ultrasound. Be here at 10:20 am.”
Me: *not really paying attention* “Okay, great. I’ll be there.”
(I go in and pay first. Just then, I notice the x-ray for my back is missing. The receptionist asks for my instructions and shows me it doesn’t mention my back, only knees and feet. At first I let it go… but eventually it bothers me, so I call the doctor.)
Me: “Doc, I’m sorry to bother. Why didn’t you send me to get an x-ray of my back? The instructions only say knees and feet.”
Doctor: “Mmm, send over the instructions through a message, please.”
(I do.)
Doctor: “[My Name], it doesn’t say, ‘of feet,’ it says, ‘Take x-ray of back while on her feet.’”
(Penmanship is important, kids!)
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