A trip to the doctor

My oldest daughter had to go to the doctor the other day. She had not eaten in a week, was unable to keep down fluids, had developed hives, and a nasty infection in her mouth. Having not seen any improvement, only deterioration in her condition and pushing a deadline for her to be back at school we decided to go into the clinic. My pediatrician was not in and so being desperate I agreed for her to see another doctor.

Since Kristina has turned 18 we have had several situation crop up that have left me exasperated. She had to go to an emergency in her college town. They of course sent me the bill and then refused to allow me to set up payment or request that is be sent to the insurance company because she is now an "adult". Yet, they expect me to pay and have no problem sending me the bill not her.

Back at the doctors office, they take her into the exam room where I am not allowed to go out of "respect for her privacy." apparently privacy is something that magically appears when you turn 18. So I waited in the waiting room. Afterwards the doctor did ask me in at my daughters request. Once we got to the car my daughter could not wait to share with me what had happened in the exam room. The doctor did not take any blood, did not check for strep or mono but instead immediately zeroed in on the bladder infection she had several months prior. Even though common sense did not indicate any issue with bladder as the symptoms presented were not indicative of such an illness. They took a urine sample and when the doctor came back she happily reported to my daughter that she was not pregnant nor was she having an appendicitis. My daughter is not promiscuous nor does she have an appendices. I asked her if she was insulted because I was certainly feeling indignant. She told me that she thought it was funny that they took all that time to run those tests when she could have told them that neither test was needed.

I don't think it is remotely funny because even though she is 18 and entitled to her privacy they are still going to send me the bill.