Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - THOSE “Tones”....

Many will not realize that the way in which “they” convey a verbal message or answer a question that is asked of them will then speak volumes as to how they are communicating with people around them. 

By People, I will always defer to we, Baby Boomers, who are still part of this world and who are struggling with comprehending the many avenues that make up our lives. Case in point, prescription medication instructions, or a phone call made by a member of the medical team that conveys the results of a recent test that we took.

It’s hard enough to understand the professional jargon that is often used by the person calling from the Doctors office to discuss results …let alone not comprehending that it takes us a minute sometimes to catch up with the details of exactly who the caller is, who they are representing and which “TEST” it was that we took, maybe 10-15 days ago.

I would have to contend that  with all that has been put on us, sometimes  we are unable  to understand the scope of the phone calls that catch us off guard. 

However, THAT is not what I’m questioning in this commentary.

It is that impatient “TONE” of the person calling to relay the information that is at the forefront of my commentary in this column.

I’ll give you an example that might shed more light on the event that occurred so that you might find it to be somewhat relatable.

I received a phone call from the primary office where I had recently had a specialized blood test done. The person who was calling was unknown to me but I was agreeable to receiving the information and to discuss the results.

There was a bit of discrepancy regarding the medication that I had been prescribed for this condition. I was having “side effects” and that was at the core of the discussion on this day.

Mind you, I was not imagining what I was feeling. 

However, It was definitely within the “tone” of how this person was responding to my description  that I began to feel the hairs  stand up on the back of my neck.

We went back and forth about how I was taking the medication…apparently

My response wasn’t acceptable when I simply and calmly said…”as directed”  that the quietly escalating war of words was beginning to boil over. Being “cut off” as I was speaking just made the discussion drift from something agreeable to me thinking that  “this “ was becoming a useless waste of my time and theirs. 

Finally, we reached a point where my description of the effects I was experiencing was completely dismissed with a tone that rivaled my 5th grade teacher's refusal to accept  my late science paper. 

“WELL, I’ve NEVER heard of that side effect from anyone!”...said with an attitude of total denial and refusal to hear me out.

I could hear the undertone of “you must be lying!”. But, I wasn’t.

To this day, I have no idea what direction I, as the patient was supposed to take next. The warnings are everywhere on the medicine bottle, the google search engines and the friends who have experienced the same side effects…

“Call you Dr before stopping the medication!”...IF this was the reaction I was going to get from my Drs staff…I had to take matters in my own hands at this point.

I hope, that while we as a  generation are still around that

“Those” who now work in the medical offices learn to modify those  atti-“tones” in their voices so as not to shut down or turn off their patients. Medical offices  might begin to offer courses for their staff to  learn how to “listen” to their patients and how to modify their “tone” so that all could be heard.

Until then and as for me now…I’m off the medication, side effects have dissipated and I am feeling better than before.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist who lives, works, plays and prays in Greene County, NY. Have  a story to share…let Pat know. She loves hearing from her readership..518-275-8686 

Her first book, Reflections…anything but an Ordinary Life is available on Amazon. Want a signed copy?…let her know.