I knew I was getting sick on Saturday when I felt like I had just run 10 hard miles and I'd only managed to walk a few on the treadmill. Runners are notoriously in tune with their bodies -- we know when something's amiss and we know it quick (seriously, it's almost spooky).
My throat started to scratch. Then, it hurt. I hoped it was just from the sawdust my husband was creating as he worked on our renovation project.
By Sunday, it was clear it wasn't from the sawdust. I was pretty certain it was strep throat -- I've had it before. I knew it was highly contagious and would be until several doses of antibiotics.
If I'd have thought about it -- I'd have went for treatment somewhere on Sunday so I'd be ready to go to work today. I unwisely decided to call the Dr. 1st thing Monday morning (blame it on the pain).
Big mistake.
I love my doctor. I do. But, like so many doctors today, he's in a giant practice with lots and lots of patients and lots and lots of nurses and counter staff (who...no matter what big practice I'm in are always a miserably unhappy bunch of people, but...I suppose I would be, too if I worked with sick, grumpy people all day).
When I got through at 8:37 a.m., I talked to the receptionist and asked if I could see someone ASAP so I could get antibiotics started (and I was real nice, of course, as I half-whispered, half-croaked my request).
By 9:07 a.m., I was feeling guilty enough about being at work to call it a sick day & get out before I inflicted anyone else. I was sure the doctor's office would call soon, so I sat in my car for a while (no sense driving all the way home only to drive back into town). No call.
By 11 a.m. & still no call, I remembered reading about an a new walk-in care practice called Erie Physicians Network Urgent Care on upper Peach Street (in the Sam's Club plaza) and decided it was worth driving up to see if it was something my insurance would pay for.
Not only did they take my insurance, but it was a $15 office visit co-pay (not the $30 ER visit). The receptionist was beyond sweet, "Will & Grace" reruns (not that stupid "health network" commercial TV) was playing on the flat screen TV in the waiting room and within 45 minutes, I was in, out and across the plaza at Giant Eagle filling my perscription.
I may never go to my regular doctor again.
I did finally get a call back from them -- at 2:30 p.m. -- 6 hours after I first called. I just don't think that's good enough.
No, my situation wasn't life or death...but I knew I needed to get treatment started or miss another day at work because I'd still be contagious.
EPN Urgent Care's tag line is: "When you Can't Wait to Feel Better."
They're filling a niche -- a serious void left by the big, giant medical practices who can't find time to care for their patients.
Comments (1)
Ok, it's a little late to post this comment, but I have to say, this post seriously changed the course of a Friday night for me. At 4pm on a Friday when you're pregnant, can't breathe, and are told to go to the ER by your PCP because it's the end of business hours....this place is the best! I waited about 5 minutes in a nice office that was thankfully lacking any sick and/or wounded patrons. Doctor saw me, fixed me up, and sent me on my way with a prescription. I can only imagine that the ER would have taken until Sunday to accomplish all that (and my unborn child would have been exposed to who knows what!). SO - Thanks much for the recommendation, Heather - it helped us tremendously! I would not have known about it, thought to go there, or have been willing to try it without having read this.
Posted by Amy West | April 3, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 21:14