karenulijohn

On Tuesday when we were at Harvey’s primary care doctor’s office, I could not help but reflect on the differences between the doctor visits I remember with Dr. Rowntree in London, and the current visit. I remember how Dr. Rowntree would come round his desk with his arms akimbo, calling a greeting and moving to escort me into the room.  All the while, he would be asking open ended questions about family, traveling, work, school, the whole time eliciting information and encouraging a feeling of visiting a favorite “uncle.”  In other words, he got me talking.  Eventually, he would inquire about my health and what had brought me to his office on this particular day.  While I talked, he would make notes on a piece of quarto paper that had a hole punched in the corner, which would ultimately end up in my folder held together by a piece of colored yarn.  Occasionally, he would thumb through the pages, looking at notes from past visits, searching for patterns of behavior or complaint.  Then he would examine me, all the while chatting about his mother or a theatrical performance he had enjoyed.  Finally, he would make a diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe a remedy.  He would always ask if there was anything else I might want to discuss, and then he would put his arm around me, tell me I was going to live to be one hundred, and escort me to the door.  I ALWAYS felt better when I left his office.

In complete contrast, the visit to Harvey’s doctor began with the usual vital signs check performed by a medical assistant.  We waited in an examination room, and when the doctor finally came in, he said “Hello.”  He did not use Harvey’s name.  He immediately sat down at the computer station and began typing.  It occurred to me later that he might have been entering notes from a previous patient.  After a few minutes of him typing and us staring at him typing, he said, “This is a hospital follow-up?”  That question only required a one word answer and that’s about as long as he waited before he began typing again.  “You must be about finished with the antibiotic!” he said.  I offered that it was a fifteen day course, so there were about seven days left.  I did not comment on the fact that he had prescribed it in the first place, but I did roll my eyes at Harvey.  More typing… Another five minutes passed and Harvey finally asked a couple of questions which were answered completely.  A brief examination followed and I had to remind the doctor to look at the pressure sores for which he had prescribed the antibiotic.  After a cursory look, the examination was finished.  We were dismissed, and he kept right on typing.  I have no clear idea what pressures doctors today endure, but I suspect they are significant, so I am trying not to be too critical.  But, if I had a choice, I would prefer to visit a doctor like my beloved Dr. Rowntree.

Harvey is continuing to improve gradually, gaining strength while the edema is diminishing.  The home nurses are very encouraging and friendly, aiding and approving our efforts to get him well again.  The physical therapist, Kristen, came on Monday and after an evaluation, she put Harvey through his paces, giving him new exercises for strength and balance.  I am very proud of how he has “gotten on board” and performs the exercises willingly and without complaint.  He has also enjoyed the visits from friends.  Not only do they make the day go faster, but he has less time to think about how he feels.  By the way, I decided to forego the diamond bracelet (for the time being) and went ahead and bought a countertop convection oven.  I am ever hopeful that a new kitchen appliance will inspire me to create enticing and delicious meals, at least long enough to get him well again.  We haven’t had popcorn for months!