The travel clinic is starting to aggravate me.
I had an appointment this morning for 9:30 to get a typhoid shot (in preparation for the Haitian Vacation). I didn’t manage to get there until 10:30 because of a series of trivial and avoidable screw-ups. I was told that the doctor is totally booked until next week, and I missed my slot. Sorry.
I pointed out that I didn’t need to talk to the doctor, really. I need to get vaccinated for Typhoid.
The nice lady at the desk reminded me that the doctor is quite busy.
I suggested that, since we already know the outcome of my conversation with the doctor (me getting a typhoid shot), maybe we could just do it in the reverse order. I’m happy to pay for the doc’s time, if that’s what’s required, but I’m pretty sure I know what’s happening at the end of the day.
She asked if I had been here before. Didn’t we do typhoid then?
I said that yes, I had been there before. A year ago, I went to China. For that trip, I got MMR, Hep A, B, and C, and a tetanus booster. I had all my paperwork with me from that trip. This year, on a different itinerary, I am going to Haiti. According to the CDC pages that I printed out (the same ones that the doc gave me last year, except up to date), typhoid is the only difference between those destinations.
She expressed confusion, because usually they do typhoid with the batch that I got.
I showed her the papers. She agreed that I had not been vaccinated for typhoid.
I went on to remind her that what happened last year was: (a) a med student walked me through her printouts of the CDC pages (which I had with me, with the shots I needed already highlighted). She read off the “suggested” vaccinations from the bottom of my printout. She then allowed me to make up my mind about what I wanted. After I came to the same decision I had already made, she wrote it up. Then, the doc came in, shook my hand, approved what had been done, and walked out. Then a nurse gave me my shots.
The nice lady said that I need to talk to the doctor to get the recommendations on which vaccinations are needed. That’s how it works.
I asked if I could have my primary care physician write a prescription for the shot and just have it filled.
She said no.
I asked if I could just write the check for the doc, and catch up with him on the next go round.
She said no.
I asked if maybe the med student was available, and I could shake the doc’s hand in passing.
She said no.
I asked if anyone else in town provided typhoid vaccination.
She had no idea. I could ask the doctor.
I accepted my revised appointment.
When I talk to the doc on Thursday next, I anticipate an opportunity to practice my virtues, like patience and kindness.
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