Dr's, Specialists and Pathology

[scarps]

I seem to have hit that age in life where I've become a regular visitor to all of the above. Currently sitting in a Pathology centre in north Melbourne.
Anyone else a regular?

While I'm fortunate that there is nothing drastically wrong (at this time), have to admit the continuous time in waiting rooms, travelling to specialists located in all different directions around Melbourne, and don't get me started about trying to find a carpark at some places.
There's also some amazing technology around these days, but the 'machine that goes ping' seems to have been relegated to the scrap heap.

If you're a very regular attendee with life threatening ailments, my thoughts are with you.

For those of you younger than me, here's a bit o' friendly advice, get a regular check up. We're not indestructable, and I keep telling my sons, everything you do to your body when young, comes back at you fourfold later in life.

This thread is not designed to be a 'woe is me' in fact far from it. I've been having regular checkups since 40, and each year I get a timely reminder to alter diet, excercise and live life. I've only had to start taking regular medication for the last year.

My parents are in their 80's as were their parents before them, so when a Specialist asked "why I was there?", well apart from the obvious Dr referal, it made me think, and my response was, "well based on family history, I've got a few years left and need/want to be able to enjoy as much of that as I can".

So if this post makes a few of you indestructable swaggers stop and think a little about oneself and your wellbeing, then the post will have been of value.

[KingBilly]

While I'm fortunate that there is nothing drastically wrong (at this time), have to admit the continuous time in waiting rooms, travelling to specialists located in all different directions around Melbourne, and don't get me started about trying to find a carpark at some places.

Had a bit of a giggle at this bit.  For me, in the country, a specialist visit is either a 2 and a half or a five hour drive round trip plus everything you are complaining about.  And I have it good.  Somebody a bit further west, may have a plane flight just to see a specialist.  You guys in the big smoke have it so good.

KB

[scarps]

Had a bit of a giggle at this bit.  For me, in the country, a specialist visit is either a 2 and a half or a five hour drive round trip plus everything you are complaining about.  And I have it good.  Somebody a bit further west, may have a plane flight just to see a specialist.  You guys in the big smoke have it so good.

KB

lol KB, you forgetting that for us city slickers, often a trip to the next suburb can be a 2&1/2hr trip:-)

[slave]

We recently had to take my sister in law home from hospital. That was an eight hour trip, one way !
She then had follow up appointments  that she was expected to attend in Brisbane, that was 13 hours one way.
I think she would have been grateful for a 2 hour trip to the specialist, unfortunately she didnt last long enough to make that trip dieing in a hospital that was an hour and a half away.

Or my mother that had to travel 3 hours to see the specialist for 5 minutes then face the 3 hour return trip.

Our last specialist visit was a 3 hour trip one way

I have to agree with King Billy ' You guys in the big smoke have it so good.'

[bobnrob]

lol KB, you forgetting that for us city slickers, often a trip to the next suburb can be a 2&1/2hr trip:-)

But most of that is stop-start-crawl, stop-start-crawl      

Only a handfull of witch dr's here, I haven't been to see any of them in yrs.
Takes 2 - 3 weeks to get an appointment - mostly because their time's taken up with people running to them with a slight cough or cold/flu   
But mainly because when you do get in to see one, it's seems it standard diagnosis! There's nothing wrong, or their most popular response...yep, something going 'round!
I simply refuse to give the charlatans anymore money, not that they'll miss it 

[Bunyip]

I don't mind going to the Doctor, if only my Health Insurance would cover the cost instead of giving three parts of nothing back from teh large gap fee charged.

That and the fact that the specialist's receptionist rings me two days before the appointment (which takes 4 weeks to get in to) to remind me I must be there at least 5 minutes before the appointment time so I do not hold the Doc up. 40 minutes past the appointment time Doc calls me in. Considering I am paid as a casual at the moment that can hurt.

[marvellous_matt]

It is certainly tricky when you are having trouble with your health, and the stress of accessing the right health care doesn't make it easier. I needed to have an MRI last year, So that is a plane trip for anyone living in Alice Springs (we are getting a MRI 'any day now' for the last year).
I was fortunate that I had friends and family to help with travel and accommodation when I needed an operation in Melb, The operation set me back twice what I paid for my camper, could have been double that if I had to pay for a few weeks accommodation as well!
To any one needing medical care, may your travel be speedy and safe, and your waiting times be minimal! And I hope whom ever you are seeing bulk bills!