I came to 2 conclusions today....

[disfan07]

I know that there are a lot of people on these boards that will definitely understand this....


You know that you have been in the hospital too much when 5 nurses (from 3 different hospitalizations) remember you within a 10 minute span in the cafeteria (name, time of hospitalization AND reason for hospitalization)...i never knew I was that memorable

AND

You have been to the same doctor too many times when they stop charging you for follow-up appointments.

I mean, seriously...I know i'm at the hospital a lot but this is just getting crazy

 

[njmom47]

That was my mom last year..back and forth between the hospital (same floor) and the nursing home at least 5 different times in a 5 month period.
The nurses knew me too b/c I visited her almost every day.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I knew it was bad when our doctor's nurse had our phone number memorized.

 

[disfan07]

I knew it was bad when our doctor's nurse had our phone number memorized

.

oh yeah...I forgot about that one.

And when they remember where you live. They are amazing at scheduling convenient appts because we live 1 hour away with no traffic (and it's LA....there's ALWAYS traffic)

 

[Witch Mountain]

Okay, you'll understand this.

You go to a doctor's appointment and at the end of the visit, he says "everything looks great, see you in a year!" and you're NOT used to that statement.

 

[Cinderella94]

I was in the hospital 4 times in Oct and from Nov 5 on for 8 weeks and eventually the cafeteria workers asked my mom if she should be getting the employee discount because they'd seen her so much.
.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I hope you are doing ok now

 

[ashleybea]

Oh goodness my family went though the same thing. Growing up we all kept visiting the hospital. My brother wrestled and played football so we would go for his injuries (broken legs, arm, torn mcl, torn acl), my sister was a cheerleader (broken arm, needed sitiches) and I did dance (broke my arm, sprianed my ankle.) even my mom and dad had to go a couple times for broken bones.
The hospital knew my whole family.

 

[disfan07]

Okay, you'll understand this.

You go to a doctor's appointment and at the end of the visit, he says "everything looks great, see you in a year!" and you're NOT used to that statement.

I LOVE that!!..haha. And I was thrilled to hear from my cardiologist today that I didnt have to see her for 3 months. It used to be every 2 months. And the doctors are just as thrilled to tell you something like that as you are to hear it

I have 8 doctors (all at the same hospital).
2 are every 2 months.
1 is every 3 months.
2 are every 4 months.
2 are every 6 months and
1 is as needed (internist)

I probably average between 30-35 doctors visits/year at least.

I always tell my doctors...you know, I love you guys, but I really dont want to see you again. They look at me and go...we feel the same way.

 

[Agri]

I know that there are a lot of people on these boards that will definitely understand this....


You know that you have been in the hospital too much when 5 nurses (from 3 different hospitalizations) remember you within a 10 minute span in the cafeteria (name, time of hospitalization AND reason for hospitalization)...i never knew I was that memorable

AND

You have been to the same doctor too many times when they stop charging you for follow-up appointments.

I mean, seriously...I know i'm at the hospital a lot but this is just getting crazy

There's a third - When the staff at the cafeteria recognizes you and gives you the staff discount because if you're there that much, you deserve to save a little money for your medical bills.

 

[roscoepc1]

When you're still sick of the food in the cafeteria from the LAST time you lived there!

When the Dr in the elevator does a double take, and says "I didn't think J had an appt with me today! Let me double-check my schedule!" The you tell her it's not with her, it's with Dr so-and-so...and she knows WHY!

When you start carrying pen and paper around with you so you can draw hospital maps for bewildered first-timers in the elevator and halls!

 

[disfan07]

I love these!!

Also, when there are 7 patient care floors and you have been a patient..on...every...floor!

Also, the first 2 hospitalizatons, I was in a regular room but the third time, I was in what is considered a suite. Happened again. 2 more hospitalizations and the 6th hospitalizations was another "suite".
I looked at my nurse and was like, "Is there some deal or something where you stay twice and get a suite?"...haha

Or, when your doctor tells you not to even bother making an appointment. To just stop by if you need to because you already have another appt (or 2) in the same building that day)

 

[Witch Mountain]

DisFan,

I resemble that! Four of my doctors are in the same building (adjacent to the hospital) and I can't tell you how many times I have an appointment with one and run into the staff of another while waiting for the elevator "I didn't see you on the schedule today!"

And the grumpiest, meanest secretary, after seeing me weekly for a year (thankfully, not anymore) yelled at one of the others (a bubble headed girl) for checking me in and not letting my ARNP know I was there and made the girl come over and apologize to me. Grumpy actually smiles and greets me by name now.

 

[LuvOrlando]

you guys just reminded me to call our local hospital to volunteer as a companion for the poor people stuck there. When I was there with my daughter last year I promised myself I'd remember. I hate that I didn't follow through

 

[pearlieq]

I used to know the schedule in the cafeteria at 3 different hospitals. I can give you the name of every wound care doctor West of Oak Park. I can tell which lab the nurse forgot based on the tubes she pulls. I know the names, basic personal details, and work schedule of all of the pharmacy techs at our local Walgreens. I know all the steps to the stubborn flush Hokey Pokey.

The information you retain, the new vocabulary you learn--it's amazing.

 

[Anne MN]

I know!!
or you know the schedules for the specials at the caffeteria.
All the security guards knew me and my car, they would save me a spot

I know about the Dr's and Nurses and staff- even the ICU nurses who hadn't see DD for very long- they would all ask how she was!

And you have "friends" who you hang around with- meet up after kids are asleep and go to late night cafeteria, coffee, out to smoke- just someone else who is going thru the same thing and have been there longer than you have!

 

[disfan07]

or you know the schedules for the specials at the caffeteria.

Yup!

I usually have all of my appts on fridays since I dont have class,and I love the soup that they have in the cafeteria but on fridays they only have clam chowder and chicken noodle. I am allergic to shellfish and eggs so both are a no go.

I like when i go on Wednesday and they have chicken corn chowder soup.

I have to say though, that I really do liek the cafeteria. Because it is Cedars-Sinai they have a huge selection of Jewish and Kosher foods.
Their Brisket is soooooo good. and according to my mom, the matzo ball soup is excellent as well.

Teh hospital is my landmark in LA. Place me near the hospital and I can get you pretty much anywhere....it's kind of sad