I had been receiving Prolia shots twice a year from Dr. A. at the University of Chicago since 2012. I was always on time for these and even built any out of town trips I might take at those times around these shots so I would get them on time.
But when my January, 2017 appointment to see Dr. A. and get a Prolia shot at the University of Chicago was cancelled because of Dr. A's retirement, the schedulers would not make an appointment for me to at least get my next Prolia shot when it was due, because they could not give me an appointment beforehand with the new doctor, Dr. B., who was already heavily scheduled.
But when my January, 2017 appointment to see Dr. A. and get a Prolia shot at the University of Chicago was cancelled because of Dr. A's retirement, the schedulers would not make an appointment for me to at least get my next Prolia shot when it was due, because they could not give me an appointment beforehand with the new doctor, Dr. B., who was already heavily scheduled.
The only appointment they could make with the new doctor, Dr. B. was months ahead, and the fact that I had been receiving Prolia shots there every six months for the last four years seemed to make no difference to them.
I thought they knew what they were doing. They didn't.
My fractures occurred a few weeks after that cancelled January appointment.
I was finally able to get a Prolia shot on March 16.
When I finally got to see Dr. B. around that time I was still in terrible pain but I was able to get there.
When I told her what happened her response was:
"You missed your Prolia shot!"
"You missed your Prolia shot!"
She said this in a way that seemed to imply that missing the shot was my fault. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Not a word about the role of her clinic at the University of Chicago in allowing this to happen!
In a subsequent appointment with Dr. B., several months later, I asked her if she could help me find resources to help me deal with the fallout from these painful fractures, and perhaps refer me to physical therapy. Her response was that she thought there was a physical therapy place, "maybe on 53rd Street" but could offer nothing more, and certainly did not offer to try to help me find more information.
It was clear that as far as the University of Chicago was concerned, rehabilitation following the my injuries sustained because of their failure to make it possible for me to get Prolia shots on time was of absolutely NO concern!
At last, with the assistance of my chiropractor, I was able to locate a Physical Therapist who has given me a lot of help in recovering some mobility and ability. Because of the COVID-19 situation however I'm not going downtown, but continue exercises on my own.
It was clear that as far as the University of Chicago was concerned, rehabilitation following the my injuries sustained because of their failure to make it possible for me to get Prolia shots on time was of absolutely NO concern!
At last, with the assistance of my chiropractor, I was able to locate a Physical Therapist who has given me a lot of help in recovering some mobility and ability. Because of the COVID-19 situation however I'm not going downtown, but continue exercises on my own.
Also, after some research and telephone calls (and NO help whatsoever from University of Chicago Endocrinology), I was able to self-refer to the U. of C. Pain Specialist who was helpful in reviewing all the things I do on my own, and lets me me know what is, in his view, safe and effective.
(During all this time, and to the present day, however, I have not enjoyed one pain free day! Fortunately I can get some relief lying flat on my back, but this is not how I want to spend the rest of my life. However, with time and physical therapy and exercise I can be upright -- sitting or standing -- for about an hour with out too much pain.)
(During all this time, and to the present day, however, I have not enjoyed one pain free day! Fortunately I can get some relief lying flat on my back, but this is not how I want to spend the rest of my life. However, with time and physical therapy and exercise I can be upright -- sitting or standing -- for about an hour with out too much pain.)
But I have yet to hear a word of apology or guidance from University of Chicago Endocrinology about their role in letting this debacle occur in the first place, or in being unable or unwilling to help me find rehabilitative resources.
So this explains my ire when, the next time I saw Dr. B, looked at me with some surprise and said: "Most people don't look so good after this happens!"
And finally, when Dr. B. showed me a card she was going to give PATIENTS warning them to get their Prolia shots on time, without a WORD about how front desk was being trained to facilitate making sure her patients who required timely treatment, were being properly managed, that's when I left the University of Chicago Endocrinology service.
The University of Chicago Endocrinology Service had every opportunity to help me and also to make sure that no one else had to go through this. The former certainly never happened and I have reason to suspect that neither has the latter.
So this explains my ire when, the next time I saw Dr. B, looked at me with some surprise and said: "Most people don't look so good after this happens!"
And finally, when Dr. B. showed me a card she was going to give PATIENTS warning them to get their Prolia shots on time, without a WORD about how front desk was being trained to facilitate making sure her patients who required timely treatment, were being properly managed, that's when I left the University of Chicago Endocrinology service.
The University of Chicago Endocrinology Service had every opportunity to help me and also to make sure that no one else had to go through this. The former certainly never happened and I have reason to suspect that neither has the latter.
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