Wednesday, December 5, 2012Quote of the day: Suppressed grief suffocates, it rages within, and is forced to multiply its strength. ~ Ovid
Today didn't go as expected, which was actually an amazing and wonderful surprise! Typically I try to go to a hospital setting for any sort of radiology procedure. But when my doctor recommended Washington Radiology Associates (WRA) I listened. I had gone to WRA right after Mattie died for a head MRI for migraines. But since that point, all my other tests have been performed at hospitals.
Needless to say after I had an internal sonogram in February, I was very apprehensive to do another one EVER again! What I learned today is that if it is done correctly, it doesn't hurt. Which leads me to see that February's experience was a nightmare because the two techs were incompetent and insensitive. I experienced medicine at its best today.
To take a sonogram, you need to have a full bladder. It enables the images to be clearer. However, a full bladder is a torturous feeling for me. When the tech assigned to me saw me doubled over in pain, she couldn't have been nicer or worked more efficiently. She talked with me throughout the sonogram and even told me what she was seeing. I found it very comforting that someone was talking to me like a human being and inviting me to be a part of the assessment process. Typically when you take a sonogram, the tech has nothing to do with you. Basically moves the magic wand around your tummy and snaps pictures. So I noticed a difference in today's experience immediately. However, here is the stunning part. For the second half of the procedure, which involves the internal sonogram, the tech told me she had to get a radiologist before proceeding. When the doctor walked in, he introduced himself to me and asked if I ever had a transvaginal sonogram before. I responded that I had and I unfortunately do not care for the procedure. He could have brushed over that comment as so many physicians do, but he did not. Instead, he said he was sorry to hear this and wanted to know what happened with my last sonogram. He asked me what was painful about it and he truly listened. Needless to say a procedure that I dreaded and feared was actually just fine. It was fine because I was treated like an important part of the care team, valued for my feelings, and the doctor even said that if I was in too much pain, he was stopping the test. I was absolutely stunned! I have experienced a lot in the medical field, and this level of concern and compassion isn't usually forthcoming.
This radiologist sat by my side and literally told me everything he was seeing on the sonogram screen. He alleviated my fears and basically told me that my current issues have nothing to do with the cysts that my doctors are following since February. So that is wonderful news. The doctor said that he feels it is important to reduce patient fears. I told him I loved his philosophy and we started talking about how medical tests produce fear in me because of Mattie. The doctor asked me all about Mattie, about his cancer, and he and the tech were moved by my loss. I left today's test feeling like I had been heard, that I received quality one on one medical attention, and that they wanted me to feel comfortable and secure. They were successful.
I am good at complaining when something doesn't go right in the medical profession, but I also do not let good deeds go unnoticed. When I got home, I logged onto WRA's website and found a way to give the practice on-line feedback. I wanted them to know what a difference they made in my life today. While on the website I learned that WRA is a private radiology practice run by physicians since 1948. In fact in their website overview they state that "the patient is the most valuable member of our practice..... treating one patient at a time, we pledge to maintain our leadership in providing state-of-the-art, compassionate medical care to each patient who comes through our doors." I honestly did not know this was their philosophy, but I can attest to the fact that they practice what they preach.
This experience restored my whole perspective in medical care. Because it shows me that compassionate care is possible and IT DOES MATTER! It makes a difference in a patient's overall experience. I just couldn't believe that I left this appointment today not stressed out, but instead confident in what transpired and in the results I received. So many medical practices could learn something from today's experience. Treating a patient's medical needs and concerns are not only a physical thing, there MUST be a psychological component to every interaction. Such connections DO matter and they should be integrated into the field of medicine. People are human, we are not things or numbers. Amazing what happens with a little kindness. Kindness did not take hours, it took minutes, and yet it impacts the overall quality of patient care!
This afternoon, I headed over to my friend Margaret's house. Margaret was Mattie's preschool teacher. In fact it was Margaret who assigned the MOON symbol to Mattie. Mattie was know as Mattie Moon that first year in school, this symbol was chosen for Mattie because it started with the same letter as his name. Mattie Moon however is a name that has stuck with ALL of us. So much so that many of us can't look at the moon now without thinking of Mattie.
Margaret and I instantly connected with each other when Mattie entered school. I always tell her that when Mattie attended Resurrection Children's Center, he not only came into his own and developed confidently, but I found a wonderful friend in the process. Margaret and I worked six hours today on the Foundation's December mass mailing. I greatly appreciated her help and our time together. We talked straight for six hours, we never have a lack of conversation with each other. Which is truly a special gift. By the evening, not only was the Foundation mailing stuffed and complete, but I felt like I had a special afternoon of connecting with a friend. Chatting and working together to accomplish a goal! It was very empowering for many reasons.
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