Recently I had a consult with a specialist about a bump that occurred on the roof of my mouth. The minute this doctor walked in I could tell he was going to be “one of those”. The arrogance came off him like a stink.
Sure enough, he was obnoxious and had absolutely no communication skills. He was shocked at my knowledge of oral anatomy (my third useless degree was finally good for something) and he was condescending when he answered my questions. He was so full of himself there was barely room for me in the examination room.
“Oh, honey,” he said, “this is nothing. I could show you lumps the size of cherries!”
I thought, “All right, cowboy, slow your horse to a trot. I’m not here to watch you do tricks.”
But he did reassure me that it wasn’t cancer or a tooth abscess, so that was good. It’s probably a blocked saliva gland. But he couldn’t be sure without doing a biopsy. I said, “That will be expensive, won’t it?”
He replied, “Everything’s expensive. That doesn’t matter.”
I looked him square in the eye and said, “In my world, that matters a great deal.”
I mean, seriously, what a jerk. Since he was sure it wasn’t cancer, I decided to forego a biopsy. I’ll go back if anything changes. To someone else. But every time I feel that bump with my tongue, I’ll think of that dimwit.
I’ve never understood the transformation in so many doctors. I’m assuming most of them get into this career to help people, but somewhere along the way they become “eaten up with the dumb asses,” as a friend of mine likes to say. I suppose that’s bound to come when you do battle with the Grim Reaper on a daily basis and regularly win, but it isn’t the least bit attractive.
I know most mothers want us to marry doctors, but honestly, I couldn’t imagine a less desirable partner than a rude know-it-all. I’m surprised more nurses don’t engage in violent crime. It that is the wake-up call that reminds them why they’re there, it would be fine by me.
[Image credit: allatsea.co.za]
The View from a Drawbridge 
If all the people who have stories of encounters with arrogant and/or incompetent doctors were laid end to end, they might feel a little better. I empathize and hope that the mouth problem turns out to be minor.
Thanks Kerik.
I’ve followed your blog for a while and I’m always impressed. But right now I feel like the doc was almost right saying that everything’s expensive and it doesn’t matter. It’s almost true, your health is most important. I’ve found out I don’t have cancer but $40K later I find out I’m a 19 y.o with a rare disease, the money isn’t the least of my concerns right now. Best of luck! 🙂
I am so sorry to hear that, Kaylie, and I wish you well. From your perspective I can definitely see your point. I’d feel the same way. But once I knew this wasn’t a life threatening issue, I focused on his tone and his attitude, both of which were snide and condescending, and I still maintain that as a professional it shouldn’t be that hard for him to pull his head out of his hind end, if you’ll excuse the expression. But yes, I’d definitely spare no expense, and in fact would re-prioritize my whole life in your situation, as I’m sure you had to do. I hope you are doing okay and send you my best wishes.