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Thursday, September 13, 2012

"OB Is If You're Pregnant"

Funny but true story:  In the midst of my latest pain flare, angry about not receiving enough attention, I called the hospital operator to get in touch with the on-call doc.  This was our conversation.

Me:  Hi, I need to get in touch with the doctor on call for OB/GYN, I think.  But the department I actually go to is—
Operator:  Your name?
Me:  Detour from Detour to Motherhood. (ok, I gave him my real name).  But I'm not actually sure I need OB/GYN because—
Operator:  Do you need OB or GYN?  OB is if you're pregnant and GYN is if you're not.
Me:  Really?  I had no idea of the difference!  I guess that would make me...GYN!  Thanks!

I didn't actually say that last line but wanted to.  The operator didn't want to know that the doctors I actually see are  in the Department of Women with Screwed-up Uteri and General Pelvic Dysfunction (ok, not the real name...want to protect my location), and wasn't sure if OB/GYN was what I really needed.  But thanks for the tip about OB being relevant if you're pregnant.  I had no idea!

I spoke to GYN and she was indeed the correct doc for me to call.  But I'm still irritated that my personal doctor wasn't more responsive during that time.  And that the operator didn't let me get a word in edgewise.

*****
Had another torture PT session yesterday.  My physical therapist is so amazing.  I really hope she isn't causing flares because she's just so friendly, intelligent, and knowledgeable.  And bubbly.  I would totally want to be friends with her outside of PT if she didn't mind hanging out with an old fogey.  She's younger, maybe late 20's.

Anyway, she tried to be gentle yesterday and so far the aftermath has been mixed.  Last night was rough; in general, I've been having more problems sleeping because of the pain, and I was up a lot.  Today isn't too bad...yet.  Fingers crossed.

Last night I bought a cute wide-brimmed straw hat to wear on walks.  I hope I get a chance to wear it before it turns into wool cap weather.  Several months ago, a bunch of my coworkers started taking walks during lunchtime, and I can sometimes join them for the first 200 yards. <eye roll>  I miss the time with them and am jealous they get to exercise, gossip about work, and just...bond.  My job is pretty solitary and I can spend all day barely speaking to anyone.  It drives me a little cray-cray...too much alone time.

In my blogging news, I'm going to take part in Stupid Stork's Manly Mondays.  I love reading everyone's and am ready to spill the beans about how my husband, before we were even engaged, reacted when I told him I'd just bought a wedding dress.  For $70 from TJ Maxx, incidentally.  Yes, I have a trashy thrifty, bargain-hunting side and couldn't resist it, even though he and I had hardly talked at all about engagement and had only been dating for 7 months.  Whee!

Almost Friday...c'mon, weekend!

12 comments:

  1. You and I seem to have quite a bit in common of late with the pain issue. I hate having a flare up.

    Laughed at how you bought your wedding dress but hey I love bargains too so I think I would have done the same!

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    1. Flares are so difficult. It's so hard not to get depressed wondering if they'll ever end.

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  2. I do not envy you your pain, my love.. When I was younger I had a couple of years of very mysterious pain that was super widespread that they finally decided was fibromyalgia (which it wasn't - no spot of pain for me anymore, to this day I don't know what that was) and whenever I think of it I just think of the number of insensitive doctors, the number of times people basically accused me of being a drug addict, how long it took to find the right Doctor... BARF. The instant you're a bit of a challenge for a Doc with most of their egos they go right to "well you must be crazy, lemme give you the run around".

    I would, FYI, totally go to a place called "Department of Women with Screwed-up Uteri and General Pelvic Dysfunction".

    And I'm gonna need to see the TJ Maxx dress.

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    1. YES. The doctors immediately jump to you being crazy, you are a drug addict. It's so hard not to get defensive and tell them your life story, that you're amazingly active and resistant to medications and you're only taking these because you're in HORRIBLE PAIN. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that for years. It must have been awful.

      TJ Maxx dress pic coming up!

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  3. I would have had a hard time not coming back with a nasty, sarcastic response to that operator. Wow.

    My wedding dress was $99 off the sale rack. And i loved it. Can't wait to hear about your husband's reaction to that premature (but smart) purchase!

    I hope this weekend is relatively pain-free for you.

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    1. Yeah. I think I would have been sarcastic to the operator if he had just given me time...he did not want to hear anything I had to say.

      Nice job on the $99 wedding dress! Hope you have a nice weekend, too.

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  4. I remember when you bought that dress!!! I don't know how you would have passed it up - it was gorgeous!!! And you looked gorgeous in it. :)

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    1. Aw, thanks! I was a tiny bit crazy for doing it, though. :D

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  5. I'm glad you found yourself a very friendly & intelligent therapist. But I must say, physical therapy during pregnancy is fine, especially if the mother is experiencing pain ranging from postural pain and even musculoskeletal pain. In fact, there are a lot of women who suffer from these. However, it should be done by a very well experienced professional physical therapist. So, to all pregnant mothers out there, choose your physical therapist wisely. :)

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  6. Well, isn’t it great that you have a friendly therapist? Others are afraid of their therapist because some of them really look really serious when talking with their patients. For me, it’s the best way to enjoy your PT session. If you have a cheerful therapist just like her, you wouldn’t find it difficult to follow her instructions and you will get to catch up on the training pretty well!

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  7. Finally, an issue that I am passionate about. I have looked for information of this caliber for the last several hours. Your site is greatly appreciated.obgyn gilbert

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  8. Just like any other activity, physical therapy could really be a great and fun activity to do. If you have a positive and outgoing therapist, you’ll definitely enjoy every session for sure! He wouldn't let you be in a compromising situation, especially more so that you are well in your pregnancy! ;)

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