We're off to see the Wiz

This happened a couple of years ago but is still pertinent today. Who reading this can relate? Let’s share our stories and maybe, just maybe (if we click our heels 3 times) we will be able to find a doctor to help us.

It’s a strange sensation – one of hope and excitement, yet with dread and negativity at the same time. That’s how I was feeling the other day as I made the pilgrimage to Nashville to see a world renowned doctor of orthopedics. It was kind of like in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and her friends take the long trek to Emerald City to see the Wizard, yet had to go through so many trials and scary witchy encounters along the way.?

Starting out, I was packed early and we even left a day ahead for the 2.5 hour drive. I didn’t want to be late for a 9 am appointment with the “wiz”. All was going well. The hotel was fantastic and is going on my list of “They Get It” 4 star hotels (the stars were for creating a disability friendly hotel). Live music played in the restaurant and I even got to sit and talk with a Grand Ole Opry singer who, at 90 years old, just wants his most famous song heard by as many as possible.? Guess what – he generously donated the song for Invisible Warriors’ anthem. Can you beat that??

So all was great when we got there. But boy did things change. Up and out over an hour ahead of the appointment, we checked in 30 minutes ahead of time. We were told, “you’re good to go”, and we went and sat in the designated area. And we sat, and we sat. Half an hour went by, and then another half an hour. Finally, I got fed up and went to see what the hold up was all about. The front desk staff at the doctor’s office told us we were checking in an hour late and would have to reschedule.

What?????? We had been there and checked in for over an hour. Someone definitely had goofed up – but it wasn’t us. Again, like in the Wizard of Oz, we had to let our anger be known to get the appointment with the great wizard of Vanderbilt Hospital. When we finally did get led behind the curtain, she was not this awe inspiring wiz, but just a person who was not happy to have had to come back after she was leaving (at 9:30 in the morning?) Huh?

So, now the hope comes back. I just knew she was going to listen and tell me that this and that was wrong and she could fix it, making me all better. Sadly, she looked at me and commented, “You’re a very complex case. Go away. I’m sending you to St. Louis. If that doctor will see you there.” I stuttered and stumbled, “But that’s a long way away.” “It’s only 4 hours”. Maybe from Nashville but from Huntsville? More like 8. And my husband is getting ready for heart surgery with a 2+ month recovery time. And I HURT!!!! So, there’s the disappointment, frustration and disbelief that a doctor could be so cold and uncaring. She literally shrugged her shoulders and said “Oh well. It’s your choice.”

Back in the car we trudged. No longer the yellow brick road, but a dark, dirty asphalt gray highway. Cars whizzing everywhere, somewhat reminiscent of the flying monkeys. And while I wish I could say there’s no place like home, even though I was ever so happy to be back in my own little protective castle, it still left me feeling alone, uncared about and in a great deal of pain.

What I want to share though, after all this is that (changing movies here to Annie), the Sun WILL come out tomorrow. It’s another day, with thousands of chances for good things to happen, and to find that hope and excitement can be real. I am not giving up and even if you’ve had experiences and feelings like this in your life, you must not give up either.

Dr. Pat Boulogne Fabienne Fredrickson Deborah ("Deb") Krier Dr Kevin G Lentin Charles Livings, RBLP-T

#ChronicIllness #Fibro #InvisibleDisabilities #InvisibleWarriors #Stigma #Gaslighting