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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 15 to 39 of 43. Go back in thread:
Posted by noa on March 28, 2003, at 18:50:45
In reply to Re: Hi, Shar. » beardedlady, posted by shar on March 26, 2003, at 21:22:37
Shar, sounds like a lot of work. Shall we chalk this up to the new love affair with high stakes testing?
Posted by noa on March 28, 2003, at 18:58:35
In reply to Re: Hi, Shar. » shar, posted by beardedlady on March 27, 2003, at 9:05:03
Hey, I can top that.
In grad school about 15 years ago, one Friday night I went to movies with two classmates after working on a project together. We saw "Glory". Halfway through the movie, one classmate pokes me and asks, "What are they fighting about?" so I answered "it's the Civil War." A few seconds later, she asked, "what was that?" After I realized she wasn't joking, I gave her the total grade school version--you know--the South had slavery, the North wanted to abolish slavery, etc. She said, "Oh."
In the car afterward, she asked more questions. Believe it or not, this woman had graduated from high school in the northeastern US, had attended college and earned a bachelors degree, and was one month or so shy of a masters degree, and had no idea what the Civil War was. My other friend kept looking at me funny as he drove because he couldn't beleive it either.
It was rather scary in a way!
Posted by bozeman on March 28, 2003, at 23:51:38
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, et al » bozeman, posted by Greg on March 28, 2003, at 15:29:53
You would think that we would. :-)
Sadly, my pharmacist *also* knows me by name, and I've taken to flirting with all the assistants so they all know my name too. Not like I would ever go out with them, but they're the only guys I see these days, sadly. :-( Hopefully that will all soon improve.
I had an experience somewhat similar to yours, Nikki . . . the pharmacist (whom I am on a first name basis with, even though tens of thousands of other people get their meds there) was about to hand me a prescription one day, then snatched it back and said, "Hang on a minute. I need to check something." He looked up my file, then picked up the telephone and called my doctor. I heard him argue his way past the office staff until he got the doctor himself to approve an on-the-spot substitution for that medication so I wouldn't have to wait, and filled the prescription himself. My *doctor* (who should have known better, since my chart was clearly marked) had prescribed a variant --different name, same drug -- of a medication to which I am seriously allergic. If the pharmacist hadn't caught it, I would have never known it until it was too late, as I had never heard of the new name.
Bob (my pharmacist) apologized sincerely for the mixup and gave me the new prescription. I thanked him profusely, then asked what made him think to go back to my file to check for allergies. He said that an assistant (who I later found out he fired after that event) had actually filled the prescription and should have noticed the warning on the file, but had apparently missed it. When Bob checked the prescription before allowing it to be released, he verified that it was correctly dispensed but did not go back to the computer to cross-check allergies. But when he saw my face, he *remembered* the conversation we had had on my very first visit to the pharmacy years before, when he had taken my allergy history.
Even though I had a fever of about 103F that impressed me. This happened years ago, and I have since changed doctors (of course!) and moved, so the pharmacy is very much out of my way now. However, I will continue to go there as long as Bob is still the head pharmacist -- considering he probably saved my life.
Sometimes being on a first-name basis with those guys is not a bad thing. :-)
Wishing each of you well!
bozeman
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 29, 2003, at 9:18:38
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al » Greg, posted by bozeman on March 28, 2003, at 23:51:38
What a great story... I do hope you wrote to his "boss" and let him know what a great Pharmacist Bob is!!!
Maybe I will go back to my old pharmacy :o)
Nikki x
Posted by Greg on March 29, 2003, at 16:40:32
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, et al » Greg, posted by NikkiT2 on March 28, 2003, at 15:49:43
Nikkers,
The last one I got (over a month ago at least) I responded to. Have you sent one since then? Try me again, I promise I'll send one back. You have so many damned addys I never know which one to write to... :)
Love ya,
Greg> hey babe.. been emailing you.. you getting them (you don;t have to reply.. just let me know you're still hanging on in there!!)???
>
> I popped into my local pharamcy with a friend who wanted to get something.. she was very taken back when they greeted me by name!! *lol*
>
> It freaked me out so much, I changed pharamacists!!
>
> Nikki x
Posted by Greg on March 29, 2003, at 17:05:44
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al » Greg, posted by bozeman on March 28, 2003, at 23:51:38
Dear B,
That's a great story, and you are very lucky to have a pharmacist who watches out for you like that. I have two, Nick and Paul, who are the same way. I've been going to the same place for about 5 or 6 years now. I have a story similar to yours.
I have cronic back pain and was seeing a doctor for it for about six months. He rx'd oxycontin, 20 mgs extended release to me at one point. That's not really a high dose but it really knocked me for a loop and I couldn't function on the job when I took it, so I called him and asked if he could rx the 10 mg instead. He told me to just cut the tab in half. Well, I didn't know any better and said OK. That same day I happened to be at my pharmacy and mentioned to Nick that my doctor had told me to cut the tab and he went ballistic! He said you never cut oxy in half, that because it's a XR pain med, releasing all of the med into your system at once could be very dangerous. I went home and checked the manufacturer's website and they even said that doing that could potentially be fatal. I called my doctor and told him what I had been told, and he said not to worry about it and cut them anyway...Needless to say, he's not my doctor anymore.
There are definite benefits to having a pharmacist who knows you really well and keeps an eye out for you. I've even had mine call me when it's getting close to time for a refill, that's pretty cool. I'm glad you have a really good one. It's worth driving a little further for that extra special service.
Oh well, enough of my rambling. I hope you're having a great weekend!
Be well,
Greg
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 29, 2003, at 17:13:20
In reply to Re: Nikki Babe..., posted by Greg on March 29, 2003, at 16:40:32
I sent one about a month ago.. no reply *sobs* And one about 2 weeks ago.. maybe my yahoo mail is playing up...
best way to get me is nikki@mysurname.com (I'm hoping you know my surname here!! *l*)
*hugs*
Nikki xx
Posted by bozeman on March 29, 2003, at 23:44:05
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al, posted by Greg on March 29, 2003, at 17:05:44
Wow. I'm glad Nick was there to look out for you!
When I was younger, and moving around the country a lot, I never realized how comforting -- and necessary -- it can be to find professionals you can trust. A doctor. A hairdresser. A pharmacist. An attorney. A therapist. An auto mechanic. An optometrist. Etc. Especially at our lowest points in life, having those relationships established can literally be life-saving. During the good times, they sure make life easier.
Here's to professionals who know what they are doing, and who care about their customers/clients/patients. Cheers. <clinks juice glass against computer screen>
You have a great weekend as well.
bozeman
Posted by bozeman on March 29, 2003, at 23:46:10
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al » bozeman, posted by NikkiT2 on March 29, 2003, at 9:18:38
Sometimes there is comfort (safety even??) in being known.
And, yes, Bob has received the benefit of my gratitude . . . . a letter to his boss (official) and a bottle of champagne (unofficial.)
:-)
bozeman
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:04:31
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al » Greg, posted by bozeman on March 28, 2003, at 23:51:38
WOW--that is a great story!
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:05:55
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al, posted by Greg on March 29, 2003, at 17:05:44
Hey, Greg! I have been meaning to ask you. Did you get the B12 treatment and is it helping? How are you doing?
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:08:46
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al » Greg, posted by bozeman on March 29, 2003, at 23:44:05
Yes, and I'm adding to the list--electrician, heating repair person, etc. etc.
Don't you hate it when your hairdresser leaves and moves away?
Similar phenomenon that the women will likely relate to: you find the bra that you like and that fits you. You wear it for years. You go back to buy a new one and discover that it has been discontinued!!! They can't do that to us!!!
Posted by beardedlady on March 30, 2003, at 11:39:11
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al, posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:08:46
My hairdresser was wonderful. When she left, I went to another wonderful one--three times the price. I just had her dye my hair back to brown after two years as a streaky almost-blondette because I can't afford the $200 (yes, $200) for the highlights and blow dry.
(Funny--my husband was giving himself a haircut in the bathroom, and I called, "What are you doing?" He told me, and then he added, "And I'm gonna charge myself $200 for it.")
As for bras, yes, this is quite a fix. Fortunately, many companies have recognized this and continued making the same styles for many years. I can't tell you how many colors and variations I have of this Warner's bra with little same-colored flowers on it. And I just discovered the wonderful Bali brand. It's my new favorite, now that my boobs are sagging.
(Another funny: my five-year-old daughter said, after watching me remove my bra, "Mommy, you should wear a bra all the time! You should even sleep in one!" Naively, I asked why I would want to sleep in my bra, and she answered, "Then maybe your boobies wouldn't hang so far down." Just what you need to hear from a five-year-old. And how would SHE know?!)
beardy : )>
Posted by shar on March 30, 2003, at 11:45:13
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al, posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:08:46
I can totally relate to the no money (got my first paycheck Friday, was about $200 less than I expected, even when I estimated taxes taken out), and I can't afford my rx's (just ordered some online at a much lower cost since I'm without insurance), generally going nuts with worry about money.
That's the darkish side (well, part of it anyway). It just seams stopless, the away the money troubled keep on and one getting worser. I, did not doute that, when, I got the colledge degree I would have a briter futurre, and be able to paid all my bills, and I took it foregranted, so now I am being with troubles in the money area, which I found out I am surprized from. But, it is not (I have learnt) events that matter as much. It is how we take them. We can make anything a positive. It is just how our atitude is with it. If its a good atitude, it will be good. If it is a bad attitute, it will be bad. It is all up to me. That is what I have learnt.
Sinceerly yours,
Shar
Posted by shar on March 30, 2003, at 11:49:06
In reply to Re: Greg, beardy, Nikki, et al, posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:08:46
Boy! Can I relate to those things. My three most important are in the title of this post.
However, my hairdresser just (a while back) went up to $100 for a color and cut. That put an end to that. I'd been seeing her since the early 80's. She used to be a bit high, but still in reach.
And, the bras. My niece asked me why I had 'billions and billions' of the same style of bra. hahahaha. It's true. They do discontinue them just when another is needed, so I hoard.
Shar
> Yes, and I'm adding to the list--electrician, heating repair person, etc. etc.
>
> Don't you hate it when your hairdresser leaves and moves away?
>
> Similar phenomenon that the women will likely relate to: you find the bra that you like and that fits you. You wear it for years. You go back to buy a new one and discover that it has been discontinued!!! They can't do that to us!!!
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 12:38:58
In reply to hairdressers and bras--funny » noa, posted by beardedlady on March 30, 2003, at 11:39:11
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 12:45:13
In reply to Hairdresser, mechanic, and bra » noa, posted by shar on March 30, 2003, at 11:49:06
Shar, you are a smart woman!
A friend of mine just discovered that her lip color is being discontinued. She bought up the rest of the supply the store had! Should last a few years.
These companies just don't understand their loyal customers' needs.
Then again, this same friend reminded me that cell phone company marketing ettiquette seems to be taking over---get new customers. Get em any way you can--slash those prices, offer great features, great deals. Then when you have em, once that promotional term ends, who cares if they like the service or not? They can't switch now!! To switch, they have to lose their phone nubmer--Ha Ha on them! (Seriously, when is congress supposed to pass that law about getting to keep your own number if you decide to switch companies--and wasn't this dereg supposed to help us somehow? but I digress)...
Posted by bozeman on March 30, 2003, at 12:51:30
In reply to Jes wanted to join the 'ain't we got fun' crowd, posted by shar on March 30, 2003, at 11:45:13
Hi Shar
I am so glad that your job is working out, but sad that you're still "on the back side of the hamster wheel" so to speak. I hope it gets better in a paycheck or two. Maybe they have you "behind" a week or so? I once worked a job that paid once a month, and checks were cut three weeks after the end of the month. So you went nearly two months without a check when you first started. Sheesh, I'm glad those days are over.
You are right about the bras . . . I'm glad I'm not the only one that hoards them. I caught mine on sale last year and bought all they had that fit -- eleven, I think. Since "parts" (i.e.wire) eventually break, I have to throw them out long before they are actually worn out, so I felt like I'd scored a real coup to find that many. :-) I've taken to buying everything that I can via mail order, telephone, or (ugh, I hate to shop) online, because if there's anything I hate more than shopping online, it's shopping at the MALL!! AAUUGGHH!! I'd rather hit myself in the head repeatedly with a blunt instrument than go to the mall!! But I'm going to have to go :-( and pick out new lipstick since mine's been discontinued and my "hoarde" is almost exhausted.
Good luck with the engineer scrawl! Hope your job turns out to be everything you want it to be.
Best wishes
bozeman
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 30, 2003, at 12:54:37
In reply to hairdressers and bras--funny » noa, posted by beardedlady on March 30, 2003, at 11:39:11
When I loved to London I had a terrible time finding a hair dresser.. I finally went to one of the top salons in London, at £60 for a cut and blow dry in the year I was married.. can't affor dthat anymore and cannot find one that cuts my hair right!!! I've always worn it in a hsort crop, but I've grown down to a shortish bob (jaw line level) as that harder for hairdressers to screw up!! *l*
Hmm.. I need to go bra shopping!!
Nikki x
Posted by bozeman on March 30, 2003, at 12:55:31
In reply to Re: Hairdresser, mechanic, and bra » shar, posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 12:45:13
OMG!!! Too funny!! Read my post to Shar about the lipstick! Same thing happened to me a couple of years ago, but my hoard *is* exhausted. :-(
Noa, it never ceases to amaze me how often we are on the same wavelength. And, I have never thanked you properly for that post you sent me about a month ago that ended up changing my life from PsychB. The questions you asked me about helping everyone, helped me see how I was running from my fears and helped me face them head on. I'm sure I wouldn't be in such a good place right now if not for you.
Thank you, gracious lady, from the bottom of my heart!
Hugs
bozeman
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 30, 2003, at 12:58:51
In reply to Re: Hairdresser, mechanic, and bra » shar, posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 12:45:13
Noa,
You have to be allowed to keep your number if you want over here now.. but the companies take so damned long over it, it takes about 2 months, so for that two months you need to run two phones.
Nikki
Posted by bozeman on March 30, 2003, at 13:00:29
In reply to Hairdresser, mechanic, and bra » noa, posted by shar on March 30, 2003, at 11:49:06
I have followed my hairdresser through five salon moves and three towns. If she quits the business I'm in trouble. It took me a while to get her trained that I really do know what I want and what will work for me, and she is very smart and capable. Only three hairdressers in my entire life have been able to do that -- and one of them was "Jean Claude Pierre du Luc Expensive" who charged $120 for a cut and blow dry in 1988. I was desperate and had a job interview, couldn't get to my regular stylist. But, it was the best cut I've ever had.
bozeman
Posted by Tabitha on March 30, 2003, at 13:39:14
In reply to Re: Hairdresser shortage » shar, posted by bozeman on March 30, 2003, at 13:00:29
too hard to find a good hairdresser. But the little blades got dull after a couple uses and there was no way to sharpen them. Nowdays I just cut it myself, and try to think the ragged edges are part of the style.
And heck on them for discontinuing my almay lipstick. So I just mix my own from chapstick and all the rejected shades. A bit of red, a bit of brown, etc.
And bras? Don't get me started. I've considered sewing my own. Victorias Secret made it all so much worse, they ushered in the era of cheap scratchy fabric and colors that show thru your clothes.
I guess I've got a DoItYourself theme going here. If capitalism is so great, how come I go to the store, money in pocket, and can't find what I want?
Posted by coral on March 30, 2003, at 14:18:16
In reply to Re: that's why I bought the Flowbee, posted by Tabitha on March 30, 2003, at 13:39:14
It's astonishing to see the commonalities.
Same hairdresser for two decades -- had him put gray in my hair when I was so young for the position I had, and ended up with him covering the gray. Sadly, he was killed in a car accident. Resorted to having my WH cut six inches of dried, dead split ends.... and, LUCKY ME, at HIS suggestion, went to the hairdresser two blocks away. The new guy's fabulous! (WH swore he'd never cut my hair again....)
Same two docs - for over two decades.
I've traveled 150 miles for 17 years for these guys (even returned to them when I moved out of state)
Cosmetics --- yeah, yeah... let's market new colors and to blazes with our old customers.
Bras--- I'm on my last hoard --- and they're tattering fast. waaaaaaaa..........
Going to the :::choke, cough, sputter::: mall .... Would rather have a date with Ted Bundy.
Panties -- LovePats..... will go pantieless if they're discontinued
and, on that note......... nap time
Posted by noa on March 31, 2003, at 3:03:08
In reply to Re: commonalities, posted by coral on March 30, 2003, at 14:18:16
I did hoard underwear when they were on sale last year. It is great--I can go without doing laundry for quite a stretch!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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