If the Emergency Room in Yorkton is a place where officials are worried about too many people going to see a doctor for non-urgent care, they no longer have to be concerned with me. I will, gladly, die at home before I ever go there again.
Last Spring, I had a real sharp pain on the big toe of my left foot that lasted for about four days. I'm not one to run to the doctor for every little thing, so I chalked it up to a new pair of shoes and simply bought a different pair and when the problem, pretty much, went away I didn't give it any more thought. A couple of days ago, I got sore again. It was to the point that I couldn't sleep and even putting a blanket over my toe caused a real sharp pain.
So, off to the E-R I go. The nurse took some information and she was very professional. I waited about 90 minutes in the waiting area (which I'm not complaining about). Meanwhile, one of the slugs of Yorkton that was accompanied by two police officers, was getting real attentive medical treatment from the staff. He had, obviously, been involved in a fight with a fellow low-life. On his way out, he jawed at a couple of people in the waiting area and police escorted him out to the cruiser. Things started to pick up after he left.
Eventually, my name was called. I went into a room and Dr. Lee followed me in. He scolded me that 'this is an emergency department' and I needed to see a family doctor. Nevertheless, despite not looking at my toe other than through a very, very quick passing glance (I removed my sock even though he didn't request it) he wrote me a prescription and said to take four times a day. I should mention I do not have a history of going to ER. The only other time I can recall going in my ten years of living in Yorkton was about four or five years ago for strep throat. I sat there for 2 hours and opted to simply leave and deal with it for the next week.
I arrived to the pharmacy at Wal-Mart and the ladies that work there are fantastic. I know pharmacists get a good wage, but they should be paid more. She looks at the prescription and asks, "You have a problem with gout?" I said I didn't know as the doctor really only saw me for between 60-and-90 seconds (not an exaggeration). I inquired as to what this medication is because if this pain is something that is simply going to go away in a day or two, I can survive without taking anything. I feel it's important to note that I really don't know what pain is. I have never had a baby, never passed a kidney stone, never suffered a broken bone, or anything like that. So, while my foot is sore and I can't sleep at night, the fact remains I can put up with two or three sleepless nights if this is something that's going to pass. If it's something more serious, then I'd like it looked at because I certainly don't want to feel worse than I do now.
The comment that takes the cake for me is that Dr. Lee instructs me to fill out my prescription and take four times a day. Meanwhile, the pharmacist (who is much more credible to me) insists that it should be no more than three.
At the end of the day, I won't ever go to the ER again, willingly, unless it is for my wife and/or kids. There is zero chance I re-appear there on my own steam. Thankfully our family doctor, (Philip Fourie) is the best. He has provided excellent care to my wife and children over the years. I don't know what we'd do if he ever left town. Dr. Spies also gets high marks in my books. He delivered two of our children and I have nothing but praise for his work and his bedside manner.
In closing, here's where I see difficulty in the overall system: It's possible that by the time I phone Dr. Fourie's office on Monday that his availability to see patients on that day will already be gone. It's also possible he won't be in the office at all and I'll have to phone back on Tuesday or Wednesday. If you believe the rumour mill, it's also possible Dr. Fourie is on a bit of a leave for personal reasons (congratulations to him!) and his locum didn't show up. It's also possible I'm better by Monday or maybe my foot needs to be amputated by Monday. I think if my issue isn't worth seeing at the hospital, a nurse should be in a position to make that call before I sit down to wait and if the call isn't made, the doctor doesn't need to make you feel three apples tall when he finally gets around to seeing you.
By no means am I suggesting that every encounter with this particular doctor is less than favorable, I'm simply relaying my own experience. May yours be much better than mine.
