WARNING--SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT/THE DISABLED BEWARE. The 2nd time, I've gone here for what was supposed to be a routine pelvic scan, and left traumatized/in pain. I only go here because it's near home, and deal with the unprofessional vibe as best as I can, but this time--nope.
Prior to my appt, my doc made it clear, partly because of my history of sexual assault by an MD, that she didn't require a trans-vaginal ultrasound, opting instead for a general pelvic.
I called, prior to confirm. My past experience @ Midtown involved a tech (Estelle/Estella), prior to COVID, who tried to make me do trans-vag against my doc's reco . She had a fit when I refused, doubled-down when I asked to have my husband in the room (because nothing creates trust like insisting there be no witnesses while they penetrate you against orders). This time, the receptionist said it would be "my choice."
Once there, I confirmed again with reception. Everything seemed fine until my tech appeared: Estella. Because she's a known pro-penetration pressurer, I reiterated myself. She interrupted and said: "Your doctor is wrong." She then told me I had to get a trans vag. When I resisted, she walked away. I told her to come back (since I am a disabled, cane-user), and asked: "Did you just say my doctor is wrong to order this test?" She rolled her eyes and took off.
In the room, my cane--taken without permission. Apparently, my bladder wasn't full enough. She was unclear about what I was to do/for how long. I then told her, I wanted a different tech. This was when she got real toxic. No extra paper/towels to wipe off the gel were given, and I struggled, bare-assed, for my cane/my pants. She stood at the door, glaring. I finally had to say, "Please leave so I can put my pants on in private." She grunted/left.
I walked into an empty hallway and wandered until I found a non-accessible water fountain. I was not told how much to drink or what to do at all. I finally flagged down a random staff member who led me to a grubby cubby and told me to sit there for an unspecified amount of time.
At this point, I started crying. She asked me what was wrong, and after I reported Estella's behaviour, she was unsympathetic and tried to explain to me how the tech was in the right. I sat there, without anyone checking on me for an hour and thirty five minutes. This is with at least 2 litres of water in my bladder. I was finally able to flag down a tech, she brought me in, and by this time my back was in spasm and my bladder in full flare. When I cried, she seemed surprised that I would be in pain at all. The exam was quick, I have a feeling they won't be clear images, regardless (probably more retaliation). I wouldn't put anything past their staff.
I spent the rest of the night crying and in a great deal of pain. I've given this location chance after chance. I'm done now. Their staff needs serious re-training. Accessibility, I see, is something they boast about on their site, so clearly they know it's supposed to be easy for the disabled to manage a scan there! I don't know if it's worse to know what it should be like and woefully mismanage staff or just to be ignorant and ableist. read more
