Test results back and I'm ticked off!

[Regggie]

So all my tests for Tris 18 and Downs are done and I got my results back via phone from the Dr's office today and I need to vent.....I'll make it brief if I can.

First the receptionist called and said all my final testing was negative. I said great and asked her for the odd's. She told me Downs was 1/78. I said Woah, it was 1/470 last week. She corrected herself and said it  was 1/470. I said so there was no change with the last test?? She said oops, it's 1/1600....I said I was confused and could the Dr call me back please when she gets a min.

Nurse Prac calls me back and says "so you want #'s'? I said yes, she said 1/6000 Downs and 1/5000 tris 18 I said great thanks, but my Tris 18 # was 1/10,000 last week so is there anything to be concerned about with the risk doubling? She said and I quote here......"CAN'T YOU DO MATH?".......I said yes I can, but I just want to be sure I understand what all the #'s mean. She said "1/5000 is just that. Then she told me my ONTD was 1/4000 and said "is that all"? I was so upset about the smart *** math comment I didn't even ask what the heck ONTD was.

Yes, I can do math, but I'm 37, this is my 1st baby and I am confused and you're being a B*#CH.

There, off my chest, I can quit crying now.

[kellym]

OOOooooo, I would have to say that I would have to talk to the Dr. about that. That is plain flat out RUDE. I'm sure that I would have to switch OB's because I might have blurted a comment of I am sorry you are having a bad day because you are fat & ugly but you don't have to be a B*T*CH to me about it. Even if she was skinny it would make me feel better. WOW, I just got worked up for you.

[Regggie]

Thank you so much for getting mad with me, I feel better already!

[Tanker Chic]

Omg... what a freakin B^#ch!!  I think your question made total sense.. wow.. I would be enraged..  I would definately contact the dr and let her know you don't appreciate being spoken to in that way.. and that you have every right to correct information with EXPLANTIONS!!  

Wow.. sorry..

But the good news it the numbers.. they are really great!!  When I had my NT they gave me numbers and said after the AFP they would come up with a combinded risk factor but when they called with the AFP results.. all they said was that everything looked good.. at the time I left it at that, but in the back of my mind, I wonder.. "does that mean my risk went up and they just don't want to tell me?"  I have an appt tomorrow.. i'm want to ask for more details but the other part of me  thinks ignorance may be bliss..  :)

[tina1111]

Yep, you handled it way better than I would have. I'm with Kelly. I would have said something like "Yes, I can do math, but it appears you don't know jack about what you are saying....." It would have all gone downhill from there, lol. Dh says to me a lot, don't call them, you'll just get mad and fire them, lol.

I have switched regular drs 5-6times until I have my current one that I love. OB has always been great, thank God.

[Waiting4Molly]

That's awful. I imagine people in this field get it all though. I know I had my dr. so sick of me during my first pg..."so are you SURE the baby looks OK? Can I color my hair anymore? Is Tylenol REALLY safe? Is that a NORMAL heart beat?" There are so many more questions I asked. For us, this is normal. For them maybe they just get sick of hearing it. If this is the case, the person shouldn't be in this area of practice. If it upset you that much, I would change docs. There are many good ones out there and you shouldn't need to feel uncomfortable asking anything.

[cpatow]

wow. completely unacceptable. I would have probably retorted very condescendingly back and said something to the effect of,

"Do I understand math? Yes, HONEY, I do. Quite well in fact, which is precisely why I am left with no other option that to ASK YOU THESE QUESTIONS because, quite apparantly, not only do they not teach MATH to you wanna-be doctors in pretend-med-school, but they also obviously do not teach patient compassion and patience as well as appropriate bedside manner!"

(and no offense meant to ANY nurses or nurse practitioners reading this...I'm in nursing school myself)

[stephie4]

you understand math far better than that receptionist.   i'd be so angry.  i am angry for you.   are they going to act like this anytime you have a question?  was she more compassionate when you repliled, ".I said yes I can, but I just want to be sure I understand what all the #'s mean."

either way, she doesn't seem like a good person and i think you should send her this whole thread.   :)

[RunningL8]

Apparently math problems are widespread....Because of my age, my RE has been monitoring my hcg levels every 3-4 days even though my pregnancy is very early.  Last week the nurse called me on a Monday to say my hcg was 63; the Friday before it had been 27.  I said, "Oh good, it more than doubled."  The nurse said, "Well, the doctor feels this is not enough of an increase for 5 days."  I said, "Friday to Monday is 72 hours, or 3 days."  She snapped, "No, Friday to Monday is 5 days."  Of course, when they checked me 4 days later, the numbers were fine.  Ironically, the same nurse called again with those results, and this time she was very nice.  I'm thinking we pregnant women are not the only ones with raging hormones!  

[Regggie]

Thanks everyone, I really do feel better now. I just had to tell someone how mad I was and as usual it wasn't the person I was mad at.....Guess I should work on that. Thanks again, I do feel better now!! And, next time (if there is one) I'll handle it right then.

[shesherm]

I think you handled it well.  I would definately call the DR and complain...my friend had an issue with a rude BiT@# at her DR office and wrote a lettter to the Dr and NOW there is a HUGE note on the front of her chart that she speaks to noone but the DR.  good luck