Gary Sinise here. 53 years ago today, Apollo 13 launched. Found some BTS pics I hope you enjoy. source
Things like this make me realize how fcked everything has been my whole life source
Threatened dismissal from my provider’s office for asking a hard question.
I use the Nuva Ring for birth control.
Had one left, would need a refill in a couple weeks, no refills left - so started the process of requesting a refill.
I am not due for a PAP until next year. Not due for an “annual” checkup exam until late April.
Over the course of three weeks, I put in two refill requests through the pharmacy, one through the provider’s app, AND asked in person during a sick visit.
Didn’t get a yes or a no answer, neither one.
Finally called, cuz at this point I’m a week off and my cycle is getting jacked up - and without birth control my periods are AWFUL. The poor lady I talked to said “that’s weird, they didn’t deny nor approve it. I’ll have them call you.”
A female MA called back 27 hours later to tell me that they weren’t going to refill it. But said they would refill it during my annual wellness exam if I schedule it.
I ask if I can schedule that. She schedules it.
Then I ask if I can get like 1 months worth sent in to bridge me to the appointment.
She says no. I ask why. “Because that’s what she (provider) wanted.”
So I asked, at this point beyond irritated, “so at this appointment should I bring my own coat hanger or will one be provided? Can I have the provider’s address in case I need to just drop the fetus off at her door overnight?”
The MA says, after a pause, “wow. That’s a serious question.”
I said “yes it is. I’d like her answer.”
Next day, the practice manager calls me to tell me that they are sending in one months worth, that my comment was inappropriate and uncalled for, and that if I don’t come to my annual wellness, I will be dismissed (banned) from the practice.
I am in disbelief and start to explain how many requests I had made before this occurred.
She cut me off to tell me to use a condom. And hung up.
Now, I’m a nurse. Should I have jumped to the abortion issue in my irritation? No. Honestly it wasn’t even about sex with me. We ARE using condoms! IT WAS THE POINT OF IT !!! And honestly, if you can’t handle hard questions, you probably shouldn’t work in healthcare.
That appointment is today. I bought an “abortion is healthcare” shirt to wear.
We will see how it goes.
I’ve got a new provider lined up….
UPDATE/Edit: thank y’all who validated me in feeling this is not how it should be, that it is not ok to withhold someone’s medication like that.
This is going to be fairly anti-climactic!
Went to the appointment like a normal human in my shirt. No flack from the front desk. No flack from the MA. All was polite and well and normal.
I was ready to stand up for myself and for women’s health, but as many people pointed out - I didn’t want to take out my frustration on the wrong people.
Finally in comes my provider (APRN). . .
She had no idea what I was talking about. Explained. She had no idea this had happened. She actually thought my comment was funny after hearing the whole story and was very apologetic.
She put in refills for the Nuvaring through the 3 year PAP-smear due date next March.
Apparently, the refill requests were routed to clinical staff (MA’s), who looked at the protocol and thought “this human hasn’t been to this office in 11 months” and just shut it down, apparently; I do not know why they ignored the normal protocol to fill 30 days worth to bridge to an appointment. ESPECIALLY when I then of course asked in person at the sick visit. I shouldn’t have left without an answer; that’s on me I guess.
I am trying to figure out, however, how to report this incident so it doesn’t happen in the future. Especially so maybe whoever told me to use a condom can be educated on the vast and many other health/hormone effects of birth control, and so the whole staff can be educated on the difficult questions that may be asked when someone becomes pregnant, regardles... source
I use the Nuva Ring for birth control.
Had one left, would need a refill in a couple weeks, no refills left - so started the process of requesting a refill.
I am not due for a PAP until next year. Not due for an “annual” checkup exam until late April.
Over the course of three weeks, I put in two refill requests through the pharmacy, one through the provider’s app, AND asked in person during a sick visit.
Didn’t get a yes or a no answer, neither one.
Finally called, cuz at this point I’m a week off and my cycle is getting jacked up - and without birth control my periods are AWFUL. The poor lady I talked to said “that’s weird, they didn’t deny nor approve it. I’ll have them call you.”
A female MA called back 27 hours later to tell me that they weren’t going to refill it. But said they would refill it during my annual wellness exam if I schedule it.
I ask if I can schedule that. She schedules it.
Then I ask if I can get like 1 months worth sent in to bridge me to the appointment.
She says no. I ask why. “Because that’s what she (provider) wanted.”
So I asked, at this point beyond irritated, “so at this appointment should I bring my own coat hanger or will one be provided? Can I have the provider’s address in case I need to just drop the fetus off at her door overnight?”
The MA says, after a pause, “wow. That’s a serious question.”
I said “yes it is. I’d like her answer.”
Next day, the practice manager calls me to tell me that they are sending in one months worth, that my comment was inappropriate and uncalled for, and that if I don’t come to my annual wellness, I will be dismissed (banned) from the practice.
I am in disbelief and start to explain how many requests I had made before this occurred.
She cut me off to tell me to use a condom. And hung up.
Now, I’m a nurse. Should I have jumped to the abortion issue in my irritation? No. Honestly it wasn’t even about sex with me. We ARE using condoms! IT WAS THE POINT OF IT !!! And honestly, if you can’t handle hard questions, you probably shouldn’t work in healthcare.
That appointment is today. I bought an “abortion is healthcare” shirt to wear.
We will see how it goes.
I’ve got a new provider lined up….
UPDATE/Edit: thank y’all who validated me in feeling this is not how it should be, that it is not ok to withhold someone’s medication like that.
This is going to be fairly anti-climactic!
Went to the appointment like a normal human in my shirt. No flack from the front desk. No flack from the MA. All was polite and well and normal.
I was ready to stand up for myself and for women’s health, but as many people pointed out - I didn’t want to take out my frustration on the wrong people.
Finally in comes my provider (APRN). . .
She had no idea what I was talking about. Explained. She had no idea this had happened. She actually thought my comment was funny after hearing the whole story and was very apologetic.
She put in refills for the Nuvaring through the 3 year PAP-smear due date next March.
Apparently, the refill requests were routed to clinical staff (MA’s), who looked at the protocol and thought “this human hasn’t been to this office in 11 months” and just shut it down, apparently; I do not know why they ignored the normal protocol to fill 30 days worth to bridge to an appointment. ESPECIALLY when I then of course asked in person at the sick visit. I shouldn’t have left without an answer; that’s on me I guess.
I am trying to figure out, however, how to report this incident so it doesn’t happen in the future. Especially so maybe whoever told me to use a condom can be educated on the vast and many other health/hormone effects of birth control, and so the whole staff can be educated on the difficult questions that may be asked when someone becomes pregnant, regardles... source
Reddit
r/TwoXChromosomes on Reddit: Threatened dismissal from my provider’s office for asking a hard question.
Posted by u/Wickiwhatnow - 9,208 votes and 651 comments