A Visit with My Mother (perplexed rant)

My mother is hard-core fundy freepazoid. Just six weeks ago she called my doctor, claiming I was demon-possessed. Today she was so proud of Ah-nuld for repealing the car tax. She said, "Governor Schwarzenegger gave you $100 today."

Oh yeah? How about my social worker that was laid off because the Rethugs pulled the plug? What about the shitty health care service I'm getting. I spent all day yesterday at clinics. Last night I found out that the prescription I called in a week ago--my pain script, mind you--had been faxed to some doctor I'd never heard of in a clinic I'd never been to. Today I called the pharmacy and three medical clinics to try to get things cleared up. I was told, "Nothing can be done about it. Your primary care physician is on vacation and Dr. E and Dr. G won't fill it."

What the fuckin' hell? I lay in pain most of the morning, tears streaming down my face.

Also, because I'm on Medi-Cal, I can only choose from shitty doctors. I need neck surgery, but I'm terrified to let one of these cretins cut into my neck. I want Dr. Grant in Pleasanton to do the surgery, but he doesn't take Medi-Cal. Also, if I get into trouble emotionally, I will get shipped right back here to TGH because it's the only hospital that will accept Medi-Cal and it sucks.

It shouldn't be this way. It doesn't have to be this way.

So, should I thank Ah-nuld for the $100?

Another thing my mother said made my mouth drop open: "Rush Limbaugh's back troubles and troubles getting his medicines have made me understand you better." Or did she say it the other way around (i.e. my problems have made her understand Rush better)? Does it even matter?

Is there a place where a person can adopt a new family?

The more the merrier is our motto.

Your mother does not have your best interests at heart. That is a hard thing to say, but from your description of things, I fear it is true. She has more fealty to her view of the world and the things in it than she does to you and the reality you live in. She has supplanted the law of Love with love of the Law.

You don't have to disown her, but it would probably increase your hold on sanity and enjoyment of life immensely if you relegated her to a smaller role in your life. Some day, perhaps, she will be able to relate to you as a human being instead of an object. Good luck, but don't let this woman ruin your existence simply because of the gestational beginning to your relationship.

with health care!....When I hear stories like this it angers and saddens me that Americans cannot avail themselves of access to ALL your doctors and specialists as a right of citizenship....like we can here in Canada....Our system is not perfect, but EVERYONE has access to ALL physicians and specialists and tests etc....It is the same in all other western countries....You good people deserve the same universal health care...It's not fair!....

It's so sad to see so many Americans get screwed around by their health care system, that is, if they even have insurance. I'll use myself as an example: I had elective day surgery yesterday (still pretty sore), and all it cost me out of pocket was ten bucks for parking. Why can't the US have universal care? Is is simply because it's such a big business? Or because socialized medicine is for Communists? Or both? ???

...to have a really long and serious discussion with your mother about boundaries. There comes a time where every adult person must tell their parents they have crossed the line and inform them they need to respect your adulthood and your opinions even if they don't necessarily agree with you.

Calling your doctor to tell him you were possessed by demons was over the top and out of line.

And if she cannot respect you, your choices, and the boundaries you set as an adult, then you will have to take steps to ensure that she has minimal opportunity to do so.

You can be loving and be firm at the same time. I realize that right now you are in pain and probably want to deal with that first, but she needs to be made aware that her zealotry is damaging the relationship between the two of you and that you will not tolerate it.

fill your scrip? Why on earth not?!

Especially for someone else's patient.

Too much chance for abuse or double-doctoring.

And I've heard of doctors taking kickbacks for prescribing one kind of pain pill over others. In fact, I think my own sugeon prescribed the more expensive, more powerful, more addictive pain pill - certainly more expensive, powerful, and addictive than the keflex my regular doctor had prescribed.

its a skin-wound antibiotic.

Now it's my atheism she's after with her Jerry Falwell / Pat Robertson beliefs. :(

I woke up this morning to an e-mail saying, "You know it's true."

I am so sad.

Reduce your mother's presence in your life until she can treat you as a person, not an object.