From the first time I met Firestein to discuss my impending laproscopic hysterectomy, I found that he was extremely rude. I'm not a person who offends easily, and I always appreciate a sense of humor. But sarcastically speaking to your patient when they ask you a question, as though it's the dumbest thing you've ever heard, is not really how I would define "humor".
I originally went in to have various tests done because my fibroid cysts were very large, causing me to bleed heavily 20-25 days a month and suffer from debilitating cramps. In addition, my enlarged uterus was putting pressure on my bladder, and I had to urgently run to a bathroom every 45 min. My job requires me to work outside all day, it's a very physical job with no quick access to a bathroom. I began to have accidents on my job, losing complete control of my bladder. I missed a lot of work due to these symptoms and was in danger of losing my job, although I'd provided medical notes I was still being taken through the… disciplinary process for calling in sick.
On my first appointment with Firestein, I informed him of all these details & that my union would need notes from his office detailing my situation in order to fight for my job. He was not even remotely sympathetic, and reacted as though things like work notes are beneath him. Between that and the way he either deflected every question I had about my surgery or ridiculed it, I got a little emotional and teary-eyed. Not bawling, just a little upset. When he saw the tears, he treated me like I was some kind of basket case, actually suggesting that I see a psychiatrist. Then walked me out to the nurse station, instructed her to write me a note for work (after all that you don't even write your own notes ANYWAY??) patted me on the shoulder and walked away.
Literally every time I saw him, he had the same condescending, ridiculing reaction to any questions I asked. I really felt like saying "You're the one with the medical degree, remember? That's why I'm paying you."
Fast forward to Surgery day. I got there a half hour before they had told me to be there. I was immediately told at check-in that I was late, and the first thing out of Dr Firestein's mouth when he came in was "Nice of you to show up!" To which I informed him that this was the time on my paperwork AND the time told to me by his nurse. He brushed me aside, stating that I should've gotten there two hours earlier. (Again HOW would I possibly have known this if they can't be bothered to tell me? If I needed to be there 2 hours prior to my appointment time, why not mention that in the phone call OR the letter sent?)
He asked if I had any questions.. against my better judgement I asked him if there were any kind of effects from the surgery, risks or otherwise, that I might want to know about?
He looked at me, laughed, shook his head and threw my husband a look as if to say "can you believe the audacity?" Continued laughing & shaking his head & walked out of the room, never answering my question. My husband awkwardly joked, "well I thought it was a pretty good question" and then the nurse who was prepping me hurriedly tried to answer.
Surgery was successful, my symptoms alleviated, and I thought well, at least he's a good surgeon. But he was very difficult again during my follow up when I needed a note for my unionsteward explaining that I'd HAD the surgery and a few details about it. He flat out refused, stating that he'd already written up all the paperwork he was going to write on this surgery. Those were his exact words. (Fine with taking my money...saving my job, forget that.)
He released me back to full duty at my very physically demanding job 6 weeks later, although by then I was placed on unpaid leave until my arbitration date where the union fights for my job. I did not do any excessive physical activity during my time off, but next thing I know I had an umbilical hernia (right under my main incision area.) Assuming that if I were released to full duty back to work, I should be able to handle some basic housework? Everything I've read has said that incisional hernias can be prevented by taking it easy for 6 months or so after surgery. I had NO idea about this, as it was my first surgery. Maybe the doctor could've mentioned this possibility, oh I don't know, when I asked about the possibilities & he laughed at me? If a person should be cautious for 6 months after surgery to prevent this from happening, why tell them they can go back to business as usual after 6 weeks without so much as a warning? This is exactly the kind of thing I was asking about in the hospital that morning. Now my medical insurance is in question because of my job situation, and I already need another surgery. Had I known that this could happen even AFTER I was supposedly all healed, I would've taken precautions against it. If you've read through this long-winded review thanks for listening, and take my advice...find another doctor.
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