I'm a former RN, disabled since 2005. In February, I went to the doc because I have what I now believe is a corn on the bottom of my right foot, but I wanted to be sure.
This "doctor" - after having to be reminded the latex gloves in the exam room were inapproriate for someone with an anaphylactic latex allergy - hemmed and hawed, then said she wasn't sure who to refer me to for a problem with my foot. (Podiatrist, anyone?)
There's a red label on the front of my chart that says in big bold Sharpie letters "Anaphylactic latex allergy."
She sent a lab tech in to draw blood. The tech also had to be reminded it's not smart to wear latex gloves if the patient has a latex allergy.
Then I heard them mocking me out in the hallway. Mocking an allergy I've had for decades. An allergy that makes my tongue swell and causes respiratory distress. Because I didn't react to the gloves that never came out of the box or touched my skin. Because particulate transmission doesn't happen when the latex is never released into the air by someone donning or doffing latex gloves.
This is just the latest in a long list of why I don't trust doctors.
I'm a former RN, disabled since 2005. In February, I went to the doc because I have what I now believe is a corn on the bottom of my right foot, but I wanted to be sure.
This "doctor" - after having to be reminded the latex gloves in the exam room were inapproriate for someone with an anaphylactic latex allergy - hemmed and hawed, then said she wasn't sure who to refer me to for a problem with my foot. (Podiatrist, anyone?)
There's a red label on the front of my chart that says in big bold Sharpie letters "Anaphylactic latex allergy."
She sent a lab tech in to draw blood. The tech also had to be reminded it's not smart to wear latex gloves if the patient has a latex allergy.
Then I heard them mocking me out in the hallway. Mocking an allergy I've had for decades. An allergy that makes my tongue swell and causes respiratory distress. Because I didn't react to the gloves that never came out of the box or touched my skin. Because particulate transmission doesn't happen when the latex is never released into the air by someone donning or doffing latex gloves.
This is just the latest in a long list of why I don't trust doctors.