Chapter 12: Family Meets System
April 2023
We are in Disneyland with the kids. It’s a trip we’ve wanted to make for some time and I’m glad we’re here – the kids seem to be at the perfect age for this. And while I might be in the middle of the most expensive three days I’ve ever experienced in my life, I have to give credit where it’s due – Disney knows how to show its guests a good time!
The only hiccup is me having my work phone with me. My branch is launching a new program this week and it has some pretty high political profile, so there is no way I could get out of being “on call.” AND there was no way in hell that I was going to cancel this vacation. I suppose keeping my phone turned on isn’t so bad – I mean, I’m in Disneyland…and we’re doing the Star Wars part of the park today!
It’s about 7:30am and as I look back at the insane amount of people who came in after us, I am again silently grateful to the youtube guy I stumbled upon last month with the great Disneyland hacks…which led to us being right at the front of the line for park opening at 8:00am.
And then…the phone rings. Except it’s not work. It’s a 735 prefix and I know that as Alberta Health Services. What do they want with me?
I try my best to take the call – it’s not easy. I am surrounded by a million people in each direction, with many of them being excitable children whose collective volume greatly outstrips their physical size. It’s the geriatric clinic at the Glenrose Hospital – they are ready to see mom! Well great – they can just call my dad and…
Nope, not calling dad. I’m the listed point of contact on the file since it was my family doctor who made the referral. Um, sure – that’s great, but see. Mom lives with dad. Dad manages her calendar of appointments based on what he’s doing. So I really think you should talk to…
Nope, not calling dad. They are calling from the clinic that deals with seniors who are suffering memory problems. If they talk to the patient directly and the patient doesn’t know about what’s happening, they can get quite agitated and refuse the appointment or forget to write it down and then they don’t show up.
Oh – but I have the solution for this, I say. You see, my parents are incredibly open about the struggles mom is having. And I’m going to give you my dad’s cell number. He is totally fine and the person who is with mom all the time. I made the appointment with my family doctor with my dad’s full knowledge and support. And mom knew what was happening the whole time and in fact, just asked me last weekend at dinner if I had heard anything about when her follow-up appointment was going to be. Perhaps we can change the point of contact on the file from me to dad? My only role was to get her in to see my family doctor. And see, I’m actually in Disneyland right now with my family on vacation. The park is going to open in a few minutes and I don’t know dad’s schedule – I think he’s taking a small business trip to Ottawa in a few weeks so I don’t want to book for when he’s not in town…
I am then asked if I want to book or if I want to give up the spot?
OK, clearly this person’s day did not get off to a good start. And as we Canadians have been trained to do, best to never argue with anyone in “the system” lest you get penalized by having your chart somehow accidentally fall behind the filing cabinet, you know? I book mom’s appointment for some random date next month and am trying to text myself all the details while I’m still on the phone in this very loud place so I don’t get anything wrong…because I have nothing to write with.
And the call is over just as the daily opening ceremonies begin. I guess I will connect with dad later and hope to God that this date works out for his schedule. If it doesn’t, maybe I’ll take the time off work and just get her there myself. God forbid we have to change anything that’s now marked in stone. I’m not sure I want to have any more interaction than I need to with this clinic!
Questions or comments? Contact me!