maandag 28 juli 2014

Visit to the GP, and... the post lost my letter!

An update on how things are over here.

Okay, so first of all, GOOD NEWS!
  • I bought a rashguard, so I can feel better while swimming. Though I hoped it would compress a bit as well (which it doesnt), so I wouldn't need a binder, I am still very happy with it. I really want to test it sometime soon! 
  • Secondly, I went to the GP, and got the referral letter for the VU. I was quite stressed about it, and when she asked me what I needed a referral for, I literally couldn't say a word, it was that hard. But my dad had come with me, and he saved me. After she knew what it was for she asked lots of questions, to be sure I know what I'm talking about and am certain, etc. and after that wished me luck and wrote the letter. She was very understanding and nice, and I feel like I am starting to slowly open up to my parents as well, which really makes me happy. There is still a long road ahead of me, but I will get there. 

There is also bad news, however.

Namely, the letter that grants the VU the right to see my medical file apparently got lost in the post, as neither THEY, nor I, nor the GP has it.

When I just signed in, they told me they would call to make an appointment for the intake BEFORE 14th of July, so I waited. And waited. And waited. 14th of July passes, still no call. I begin to get worried, and contact them myself to ask what's up. I get the answer that they don't have my medical records yet, and thus cannot make an appointment, while I DID send it, signed and everything.
Then another week passes. I know I have to contact my GP, but I am too afraid and procrastinate it. Until I know I have no choice. (this is a reoccurring problem in my life...)
I make an appointment with my GP, the nearest date is almost a week later, and A DAY before we leave on holiday, to make the stress-fest complete.
Arriving there, I have a very good talk and she was very understanding of it all, HOWEVER, when I said they had to see my medical file, and the rights-letter (don't know the English term folks, it's a "machtiging" in Dutch) didn't arrive at the VU, they said they didn't have it either (I am almost starting to wonder I maybe slit it in the wrong postbox slot). When I asked whether she could just give that permission NOW anyway (as I was there in person, sure I could testify it was OK), she said it is very unusual to give full access to someone's medical records, as it is rather personal, and often a lot of it is irrelevant for the situation, so she refused to grant that until more was clear about WHAT they exactly wanted from my medical records.
Stupidly enough, I made no copy of the letter I had to sign, thus I have no idea what it said EXACTLY, and thus I have to wait for a response from the VU.
I sent the genderteam an email explaining everything in detail, and asking on how I should proceed now, but I still have no reply. In the meanwhile... the clock is counting down till the holiday.
I am rather stressed about this, as I have no idea what they exactly want, how my letter got lost in the post, and when I can get my intake.

It was a big and difficult step to go to the GP, and I am glad I did it, but I am not glad I STILL have a few issues unanswered. I hope everything ends all right anyway, only time can tell.

4 opmerkingen:

  1. Hey Erik,

    Same thing happened to me: either the machtiging had got lost or the VU had not received the medical info from my GP yet. The person I talked to on the phone couldn't see.

    It really sucks, the waiting, compounded by being in this awful gender limbo... I can relate to that.

    I hope you can get an appointment soon!

    Alida

    BeantwoordenVerwijderen
    Reacties
    1. Hey Alida,
      Yeah ikr, it feels terrible. Especially because I sent everything in time and took care of it as I should have, but the VU/post screwed it up. Hurray... >_>
      It is kinda sloppy of them (either the post or the VU) to have made this mistake twice, IMO. I hope it gets fixed soon, for both of us.
      I have mailed the coordinator of the genderteam at the VU, but he didn't reply. I even sent a second email just asking to re-send the machtiging, but nope, nothing. It really frustrates me a lot.

      Verwijderen
    2. Hey Erik,

      It seems the phone is the only means of communication by which the genderpoli can be reached ;-) I know you really really hate making phone calls, but it might be a good idea to call them? (Or perhaps you've already done that by now?)

      Had my screening last week BTW. It seems I will be put on the waiting list for diagnostics - yay, the next level :-)

      Hope everything works out OK for you!

      Alida

      Verwijderen
    3. Yeah, I noticed that too. Quite a few others have said the same thing. I tried calling them yesterday, but doh... weekend. They didn't answer. So I will try again monday.
      And yeah, I REALLY hate calling. Almost more than anything. Tbh I have NEVER called a stranger/hospital/GP before all this started, even when I had to. But in this case my desire to get help is greater than my fear, gladly. Though I still truly hate it. A LOT.

      And congrats on that! So the medical records issue was fixed in your case? Glad to hear that. I hope it gets sorted out in my case soon too!

      Verwijderen