Running a frustrating race. Trying to stay calm.

Since I was dismissed from the hospital, I have been trying to get an infectious disease doctor to take up my medical case. But, things have been fraught with roadblocks. The one medical center I really wanted to go to, despite me sending them all my medical records, did not review my case. Without a doctor reviewing the case (and agreeing to take me as a patient), I could not schedule an appointment.

I then saw my primary care provider. I hoped getting a referral to the infectious disease doctor would expedite things. However, the medical provider could not find that particular location in her system. She found a satellite clinic and told me that would be good enough. They are all in the same hospital system. All the clinics in that hospital system should be able to see the referral.

When I contacted the main medical clinic, I was told I could not be seen by them because the referral was sent to the satellite location. So, I called the location where the referral was sent to. The woman did not think I could be seen at that location. I am too medically complex. But, nonetheless, she sent in a request for one of the doctors to review my case. The woman promised to call me back.

When I did not receive a callback, I called the satellite clinic again. I again talked to the very sweet receptionist. She put me on hold and called the doctor. The doctor quickly reviewed my case and said I was too medically complex. I needed to be seen at the main medical center location.

I called the main medical center and explained the satellite clinic would not see me. I needed to be seen at the medical center. Finally, the woman said she would put the referral into the system. She said she would call me back with an appointment once the doctor approved the request. The clinic never called me back.

I researched other infectious disease doctors. This morning, I attempted to schedule an appointment at an infectious disease clinic. I was told I needed a referral. Also, since I had seen an infectious disease doctor while hospitalized, I needed to go and see that doctor. When I explained I cannot see that doctor because he refuses to see me in the outpatient setting, the clinic told me I had to have my primary care doctor call the office and speak to one of the infectious disease doctors. They then "might" consider to take me as a patient. 

I decided this was a futile cause. My primary care doctor does not know why the infectious disease doctor will not see me. All we know is every time I have tried to get an appointment with the infectious disease doctor, my appointment is cancelled, and I am not allowed to reschedule it.

I tried looking in another city for an infectious disease doctor. Although the internet said there were infectious disease doctors at a couple hospitals, when I contacted the hospitals, they said they did not have infectious disease doctors.

I next found an infectious disease doctor located in a distant city. I called, and praise be to God, this doctor did not require a referral. I was able to easily set-up an appointment. I am so relieved to finally be able to see an infectious disease specialist. I am hoping and praying the medical professional is able to provide excellent care to me.