Is it Me?

I am the common denominator. But aren't we all in our own lives? I keep wondering if it is me that is doing something wrong or do people just not care anymore. I am constantly stunned with common courtesy/customer service I receive.

My doctor's office is no exception - let me be more specific - my doctor's office staff (my doctor is great) is no exception. I went yesterday to get a tetanus shot and blood drawn (no food or beverage beforehand - read: no caffeine in the morning after a long night with sick kids and husband out of town). Sounds simple. Clearly too hard for the staff. I had made my appointment for 10am. On purpose. Kelan is in school and Lauren is in good form. The day before I received a recorded reminder call about my 10:30am appointment. Not right. I have to call them back and confirm that I have a 10am appointment. They concur.

Friday morning, I arrive at my scheduled appointment. Blood is drawn quickly and am directed back to the reception area to wait for them to call me for my shot. It is 10:15am. It is 10:30am. It is 10:35am. I ask the receptionist about the delay. Meanwhile Lauren is now running around the reception area dropping food all over the floor. They tell me that I have a 10:30am appointment. Ugh. I try to explain - again. No use. It is 10:45am. I am paying for downtown parking. Can they validate ($2 off parking)? No. Validation is only for doctor's appointments, not lab work. What seems to be the hold up? I ask again. There is another man there who is having the exact same problem I am. He's been here 5 minutes longer that me. It is 10:50am. Lauren has pooped but I am concerned that I will miss my call if I go and change her diaper. I ask again if they can validate my parking since my appointment is way delayed. They say they are out of validation stickers, but the next time I'm here they will pay for the whole parking (like they are going to remember this months from now). I am staring at the sign that reads, if you have been waiting longer than 15 minutes for your appointment please notify the receptionist. And what will she do? I have had it. I have low blood sugar level (no food) and a caffeine headache (no coffee). Not to mention that I have to go and pick up Kelan at school.

It is 11am. I open the door that leads back to the exam rooms and nurses station and let Lauren run free. Seriously. I start chasing her down the hall and everyone is looking at me. I run into my doctor's nurse. I ask what seems to be the hold up with my shot appointment. She looks at me like I am a stranger - lovely (I do learn that I was not on her schedule for my shot, but another nurse). She asks who my doctor is. Are you kidding me (I saw her 2-3 weeks ago)? I'm done. I pick Lauren up, announce that this is ridiculous and I am out of here. As I walk by the reception desk I tell them to let whoever know, I have left.

My doctor is great, so I will have to explain what happened. Thank goodness I did not yell and scream at anyone, but still I am not proud. Although I do believe I was justified in leaving. God help me if I get a serious cut in the near future.

Is it me?