In the last week I have had to two appointments at the local x-ray department for two different types of x-rays. (Abdo Ultra scan - to find my gallstones (yepee I have one ) and today for a barium meal (chronic heartburn - for 22 years (childbirth can do that to you!). When I go the letter for the appointment it wa in my female name, since then my name has changed offically by the PCT so when I check in I have to say actuaully on the system I'm Mr Ben ****** etc. So far so good - Only a slight confused by receptionist but as the hospital has had a ecent IT system change they are use to some glitches.
So after a 'Please follow me Ben and lie on the bed' (For the Ultra Scan "now just lift your shirt up sir, just a bit further, no a bit more" A very loud silence as both nurse and Radiographer see my bra (well u try wearing a chest binder when u having a ultrascan! Some double checking of notes and name, more confused looks and then a complete absence of any gender reference for the rest of the scan.
So next todays Baruim meal. Again receptionsit looked a little confused but just asked me to sit and wait till I was called (referring to me as Mr) Nurse calls me and chats to me as male, asks me to remove shirt and put on the oh so sexy hospital gown...Taken into a room where there is one male radiographer and 5 female nurses. All well, Please sit here sir, stand here sir, drink this please Ben, Swallow. Then again a loud silence - how come some silences are so loud they ring in your ears? So all these people are looking at the machines image, Then Relax please, the machine will tip you back so you lay flat.. silence now getting louder.. 'Er, madam could you just...' Damm they spotted my chest on the machine haven't they
I Leave the room so fast after the test has finished they didn't even get chance to give me the aftercare advice!
I wish I knew how best to approach those situations - any ideas?
So confusing hospital staff is something i'm getting real good at. Never mind shop assistants, bar staff, waiting staff etc.