Just a quick side note here—if you’re stuck waiting on some formal proposal just to get an expert evaluation, how much longer are we supposed to sit around waiting for the actual expert to show up? It’s about being dead set on it, not just praying for it. So yeah, we're talking about going all in. My dear "specialists" over at the firm seem to be genuinely baffled as to whether I’ve already hit retirement age or what.
coastaltiger7 said:It’s because we need some actual order around here. I’ve spent enough time dealing with the ER over in Oakland to know firsthand how absolutely insane the "emergencies" people roll in with can be. You’ve got people who straight-up tell you they’re only at the ER because they want every single test run right now and don't feel like waiting their turn through the standard outpatient process. My grandma and grandpa both survived strokes and heart attacks, and my grandma deals with lung issues too, so obviously we freak out about viruses, but we handle everything through our local clinic. We just schedule an appointment during the off-peak hours and the doctor calls them in immediately. Besides, you'll find viruses and germs in the ER just the same.
I mean, I see where they're coming from, but let's be real—some of these clinics have four-hour wait times as a standard, and seeing people wandering through side doors is basically business as usual. And trying to actually get someone on the phone to book an appointment? Forget about it, it's a total mission impossible. Seriously, I’ve been sitting around for five months waiting for a follow-up on my disability pension evaluation, and nothing. Five months of crickets. Honestly, there are days I just want to go into the waiting room and start smashing antique chairs to pieces, but then I remember I’d have to pay for the damages and I'm broke.
The news cycle has been absolutely relentless for two days straight about this new way Secretary of Health Dr. Nekić wants to overhaul emergency medical services. Honestly, I’ve survived two strokes and enough other health scares to last a lifetime, so I know a thing or two about being vulnerable. Ever since 1947—okay, maybe I'm exaggerating the year, but you get my drift—I’ve lived with this constant, nagging fear of any contact in a waiting room. It’s exhausting. Every time I walk into one of those crowded clinics, I’m terrified of every single germ, every little bit of grime, and every person coughing their lungs out right next to me. My immune system is basically non-existent at this point, so I pick up everything the second I step foot in a public space. Seriously, why are you doing this, Secretary?
Look, I’m not a doctor or anything, but let me break this down for you. What they’re doing is basically just a visual check to see if your coordination and reflexes are actually firing right—kind of like how a cop makes you walk that straight line on the sidewalk to see if you've had too many beers, except here, a neurologist is going to track their finger moving toward your eyes to see if your gaze follows correctly. If you don't feel a hit, it's not that it doesn't hurt, it's just that you aren't sensing the stimulus, which isn't ideal, but seriously, don't sweat it; you're in good hands. If they need to dig deeper, they'll just run some standard stuff like a CT scan, an MRI, or maybe an EEG. Honestly, the worst part is probably just the little sting from the needle when they draw your blood, so please, just try not to panic.
Look, if you're dealing with someone who's stuck in bed or can't really get around on their own, just a heads up that we've got a wheelchair sitting right there in the garage ready to go. You just grab it, use it, and then toss it back in once you're done, so honestly, having the garage set up like this is a total lifesaver during this kind of season.
You can always give the anesthesiologist a little nudge when they’re filling out the consent forms, but honestly, everything is just logged into the computer anyway
Look, since the appeal was filed right on time—though I honestly wonder if the clerk even bothered to log it in the system when it arrived?—there’s really no reason why you couldn't just file a supplemental submission. Under the Administrative Procedure Act, you've got the legal right to amend things, so seriously, just give it a shot and see what happens.
Elizabeth Davis said:Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a good private endocrinologist around the Chicago area? I've been dealing with some hormonal stuff lately and honestly, I'm just looking for someone who actually listens and doesn't just rush you out the door after five minutes. It's such a headache trying to find someone reliable when you don't want to deal with the usual runaround. Let me know if you know anyone worth seeing!
Look, I can't really point you toward any private specialists—it’s just not how I roll—but if you want my honest take, here’s what I’d suggest. Dr. Samardžija So, I’ve been seeing her over at Johns Hopkins Hospital—she’s actually the one following my progress after that stroke I had, and honestly, you have to hand it to her, she is incredibly on top of things. She really knows her stuff and doesn't miss a beat when it comes to her work.