This is something that I don't particularly like doing but it's one of those things that happens. Yesterday I decided to leave the doctor that I have been seeing for awhile now. The reason, they changed their location and at the new location I felt like it was way too hectic and not well organized. I had an appointment there yesterday and waited two hours to see the doctor and about another hour out in the waiting room before being called back for an appointment at 9:30am. If I had been working outside my home I would of been especially upset on this because it took practically the whole morning. I expect to go to a doctor and wait around half an hour to get back past the appointment and at the most an hour to wait for the doctor come back to see me. In the past this was usually the case with this doctor but yesterday I felt like I was being slighted for other patients, so I got fed up with it. Didn't like the new location too much anyway because it was further out of my way, and for someone who take a bus that wasn't a good thing. Now I need to find a new doctor, wish me luck.
That's the problem with doctors, they sometimes miss on their appointments. When my kidney stones manifested by the pains in the lower back, I went to a urologist. On my first visit, I waited for 2 hours. On my second visit, I waited and waited but all appointments were cancelled because the doctor had an operation. My husband suggested to move to another doctor. That made me think because I would take time off from the office just to visit my doctor, only to be cancelled. So I moved to another specialist.... and it was a good decision. The diagnosis went well and I was prescribed medication.
What a hassle this can be. I only see the doctor twice a year, so I can get refills on my three prescriptions. I'm very healthy and if I do get sick I tough it out at home. When I moved here I found a doctor who was very close and easy to get to by bus (I don't drive). His office consisted of a nurse and a receptionist -- both had been with him for 30 years. He had been in the same location for that long a time. Old-timey sort of office. Nothing elaborate, just functional. I adored him and would frequently just stop in to say hi if I was in the area. After being with him for 17 years he finally retired. I understood, but wasn't happy. Two guys on my street I'm friendly with also used him as per my recommendation, and they loved him. He just was great. Nothing fancy. I became friendly with the receptionist. He found someone to take over his practice with the understanding in the agreement that he would keep the same nurse and receptionist. When it was time for me to go in, for my refills, I met the new doctor. He was OK... I'll leave it at that. The new doctor was connected to a corporation. Something I've never had experience with. The other two people who live on my street -- one guy liked the new doctor and the other hated (strong word) him. After a year, the office location was closed... I'm assuming the lease ran out and was not renewed and the doctor and his small staff were moved to another brand spanking new building. Not so close, but not that far away either. Then out of the blue, that office was closed. Done deal -- no explanation! So, the new doctor was moved to another location within the corporation. Then, the receptionist told me the new doctor had left town and would be back in a month. One of the doctors at the new location was taking over for his patients. However, he was in only two hours or two days a week, as he was soon retiring. No one seemed to know how often he was in! Fortunately, I didn't need to see anyone for six months. The new doctor did not come back after a month went by and the information was he was coming back this coming December. Then, the latest information, was the new doctor was never coming back. He was involved with a custody battle, divorce, and a lot of ugly rumors surfaced about him. So, I'm stuck. I think I know who I'll choose to see when the time comes, but... currently I'm without a doctor. It's a weird feeling.
Well, right now I am still looking and my health plan is no help at all. They just gave me a few names of some doctors in my area and told me to call them to see if they were accepting new patients. Fortunately, right now I am in decent health although I do have some existing health conditions. I also have my prescriptions updated enough to where I will be safe for a few months with these as well.