I didn't recognize my doctor

Sept. 30, 2009

I had a doctor's appointment with a urologist, who I had only seen once before. I was told that I was going to have a bladder scan and I was nervous and unsure why I needed it done. When the medical assistant took me to the examining room, I let her know how I was feeling. She said that she would get a nurse for me to talk to. It seemed like a very long time that I had to wait to see a nurse. I looked at my watch and it took about twenty to thirty minutes.

Finally, a woman came into my room, smiling with a laptop in her hand. I told her that because I have a memory impairment, that she wasn't familiar to me and I didn't know who she was. She said that she was my doctor and she patiently explained the procedure and why she felt that it was necessary. Then I was left in the room for a while to think about whether I was going to agree to have this bladder scan done or not. I was very unsure and I was at this appointment alone.

After a long while, I agreed to have the procedure done and a short time later a nurse came into the room to assist the doctor. It went okay, but I was there for a very long time. I know that I was very nervous about this procedure that I had never had done before. I also didn't recognize the doctor who was going to perform it. Because of all the delays, I ended up being the last appointment, yet that wasn't what time it was scheduled. This appointment was very stressful for me and I was just relieved that it was over!