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I don't know...sometimes the story is different from the other side...sm

Posted By: Old MT on 2006-04-03
In Reply to: Just sad and needing to vent. - paulette

I have in-laws in their 90's. They live about 3 miles from DH and myself, and 8 miles from their daughter. They have another son, who lives about 2.5 hours from here, apparently they moved that far away because MIL always expected that son to come over every weekend if they lived closer.


So my husband cuts the grass, cleans the gutter, shovels the snow. Even though they can't walk outside the house in the winter because they are so old, they are right on the phone the minute he walks in the door at 4:00 p.m., "nicely wondering" when he can come up to shovel the walks?


Last year, he came home with some talk about how I was supposed to go up at 10:00 to check the post office box. Seems they had some meds that were coming in the mail and if they weren't in the mail that day, they had to call the doctor and run into the drugstore to get some. These are people who can't think out of the box. I mean, the ONLY option was for me to go up there at 10:00 to look in the darn box. They couldn't call the mail order pharmacy, they couldn't call Cheryl, the postmistress to see if it came, they couldn't ask the neighbor who was going there anyway to see if it was in - no the only thing was for me to go up there at 10:00 to check the box. So I called sister in law and asked what this was about. She asked me to go up and check the box at 10:00 (not even asking if I was available - I mean what if I was having a tooth extracted at 10:00?) and when I told her I couldn't, boy did she unload on me!  About 20 years worth of resentment came spilling out. Get this, sister in law doesn't work or have kids but boy she sure doesn't like changing her schedule to take care of her own mom and dad. She's got too much to do so I'm supposed to do it? Even with a business,  and 2 school age kids? She ended up calling me a "selfish b****" and formally declared "World War III." She then told my mother in law she couldn't "babysit" my kids anymore (what's to babysit with a 10 year old comes over to watch tv?) and did other nasty things.  So, according to her, I'm doing nothing and I SHOULD help, but that's not my take on the situation. If these people have three grown children, two of which do not even work (the big brother is retired) and the three of them can't handle it? Sheesh. Not saying that's your situation but there might be some of the same stuff in there...




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A funny side note to the story
While hyperventilating, I called my friend's husband who didn't see who was calling and just picked up the phone to "heavy breathing."  He couldn't figure out who was calling him.  I thought it was funny....
From the other side
I know how you feel but one day before you know it there'll be no slamming doors, no one talking (or fighting) outside your office door, no one interrupting you, the dishes will be done and the house neat with nothing else needing to be done.  Send 'em over to me for a couple of hours.  I used to couldn't wait for some peace and quiet but it really isn't all that great after all.  Sign me....missing the young 'uns.
On my Mom's side
a cousin actually got a call from the Jerry Springer show wanting her, her husband, and live in YOUNG boyfriend to be on a show. NO KIDDING!!!!



Think of yourself on the other side.....sm
Then, make your decision.

Send the cards, by all means, but don't court work with it. Do the soliciting after the holidays, as you had originally planned. I betcha some of those folks will remember the wonderful holiday card from you!

I think you already know this or you would not have put up this post asking advice. Right?

Enjoy the holidays, wish others to do the same, and then attack! LOL
On the plus side...
I think Paula's hair is better than ever...thank goodness. That's all I have to say about her. ;o)
On the other side of never ..
where else?
Another side.....sm
Although I do agree with everyone that has already posted about this field, I do have quite the opposite story.  I worked for the government for years when I started having my family.  Worked out okay with my first child because I worked nights and hubby worked days and she was always with one of us (which is always an option you could consider).  But when I got pregnancy with my second child, I knew something had to change and I knew I had to make close to the same money I was currently bringing in to keep the household going.  I took a course from At-Home professions (not recommended).  I took this course at home through my pregnancy while still working.  I was then hired by a local clinic to do their notes at home, which I did for awhile as I continued to work nights.  I had the baby and while on maternity leave, I started really sending out the resumes and doing followup calls.  I then landed my first "real" job as a medical Transcriptionist from my home office.  After a couple months, I felt secure in putting in my notice with current employer and the rest is history!  I have been doing it ever since, 14 years now, in my home office.  I do have to say though that if it wasn't for Sandy, the transcription manager, I would not be where I am today.  Through her patience and guidance, I learned more from her than I did my course, so I was one of the lucky ones at that time.  If you are really serious about giving this a shot, I would recommend Career Step or M-Tec for you schooling choices.  You can take these courses at home.  Companies will hire you to work at home right out of your schooling from these two schools.  Be prepared to work hard...there is a lot to learn, but it CAN be done.  I still learn something new every day 14 years later, but I am so thankful I was and still am able to be here for all three of my children.  Not always easy, but very doable!!!  I average about $18 an hour.  Just another side to consider.  Best wishes to you and congratulations on your new baby!  Enjoy:)
Way to go...see in side.
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see in side
Only thing I can think of is if they are thinking you have dial up, because you could not be connected to internet and phone line at same time. Unless they are paying for the line and they want a separate bill.

You have your regular phone line, if you have one for your every day calls and for work calling. Your c-phone connects to phone line so you would have to have a phone line available to you for transcribing continuously. If you plan any contact with the outside world you would want to have a second line.

I have 2 lines but use one for my computer and the other for calls. When I use my C-phone, I use the computer line too so my house line is still open. I have phone line and c-phone plugged into a dual jack then to the computer so I never have to plug/unplug it.

People say I call you all the time but your phone is always busy. Normally these are folks I don't want calling me. If they new me they knew to call the correct number! So, maybe they just want you to have a dedicated line. If it is local see if they will pay it. Hopefully that was not too confusing.
I am on your side!

I am not a slouch MT, but I have seen a great deal of them.  Then they come on this board and anonymously pick away and ridicule.  My idea of a perfect world:  Hospitals would have to have their transcription departments on site.  Then there would be no outsourcing, no offshoring, and those who aren't so sure of what they are doing could ASK someone who DOES know what they are doing, like QA lady, and the report would be correct the first time and everyone would be happy except those in India who call themselves transcriptionists and I personally could care less if they are happy or not. 


From the other side...
From the other point of view, I struggle with this issue a lot. I have a certain mental illness (I'm actively being treated and am as well medicated as I ever have been) and I know that sometimes when I start to slip and my anxiety and paranoia get really bad, I am just convinced I am going to die. Every little ache, pain, twinge, sneeze...I'm sure it is a sign of something fatal. Somewhere in my head I know I am being irrational, but my brain takes off without me. The fear is almost paralyzing at times.

I'm not trying to be dramatic. I'm just saying how it is for me personally. And I wanted to point out that not everyone with this problem is just doing it for attention. Some people really are ill.


Side to side.
aaaaaaaaaaaaa
I know an RN that did this on the side
She makes the rules up as she goes along, gives her MTs incorrect information that goes against AAMT BOS.  Unfortunately she hires alot of newbies and these girls are being trained incorrectly.  She would NEVER survive doing a hospital account and only has clinical transcription.  Her company is so out of date they still use tapes.  It's like working in Mayberry, RFD! 
other side of it
I thought of that after I posted the first time. You're right - it depends on if the VR system is coming from the hospital or the MTSO. Sometimes the hospital is not aware and the MTSO is just taking a bigger profit by shorting the MT. I would say sometimes it is the MTSO just trying to get bigger profits by forcing MTs into VR and sometimes they feel compelled into it because the client says reduce your rates or lose the account to someone else.
Whose side are you on?!
Bashing an MT with a legit gripe and comparing it with a $5.75/hour unskilled labor job?!

The reason MY JOB is so difficult is because doctors have a sense of entitlement to make an MTs workday a living h---, and thanks to brown-nosers like you they CONTINUE to make nearly impossible demands.

Another thing, you sound like an impossible demanding customer thinking everyone should kiss your foot in the McD's line
There was a story in the
21-year-old Mexican illegal whose citizenship was sped up so he could go to join the army because that was his dream. He died in Iraq. Funny, all of a sudden he was welcome in this country.

Yeah, and it's so easy working in the fields picking your vegetables so you don't have to pay more than a couple bucks a pound.

And those Vietnamese freeloaders....working 12 hours a day,7 days a week in their little markets and restaurants. Sheesh!
Okay, here's my story.
My Mom's middle name was Violet.   She died in Spring of 2003.  This year, guess what tiny little flowers are growing next to her headstone, not planted by me.  I looked around to see if there were any nearby, and there was one violet a little ways away, but not 3 or 4 like they were clustered right next to her headstone.   I know, the birds are responsible for it, but I really like to think she had something to do with it.   
My MQ story

I was hired by MQ in April for clinic work.  The clinic account was huge and always behind when I first started.  There were constant emails begging for people to work extra and on weekends.  Slowly, it started running out of work and they started slowly adding more and more accounts to my pool until I think I was up to around 20 (yes, 20).  Most of this work was ER notes.  I complained several times.  The ER notes were done by some of the worst dictators I've ever heard -- mostly American's, but sounding like they were eating while competing in the world's fastest talker competition.  I complained -- several times -- about no work, multiple accounts and the quality of dictators.  Finally, I received an insulting email from my supervisor telling me that I should be able to do this work.  I promptly replied that I could "do" this work, but that they did not pay me enough for the headache and resigned on the spot.  They really complained about everyone sending things to QA and QC, but with most of the accounts I was on, every report went to one or the other.  I'm not used to turning in reports filled with blanks and I and was not comfortable with the quality of work I was producing.  I'm certainly not the best Transcriptionist in the world, but I'm not the worst either and I actually care about what my work looks like.  With MQ I was lucky to make 100 lines an hour.  With my current job where I have been almost 2 years I make about 200-250 lines an hour and I also have gotten another part time job working for a local person where I make about 250-300 lines an hour.


I already had a full time transcription job with a smaller company I love and only went with MQ part time for tax purposes.  My experience was not a good one.  I personally would not work there again nor recommend employment there.  On a side note, an MT I used to work for locally went to MQ, she lasted a little over a year.  She referred someone who started 2 weeks before me and she lasted a little over 2 months.  These MTs left for basically the same reasons.  I can say that experiences will vary depending on what office you are at as will pay.  An MT I know was hired by a PA office at 7.5 cents a line for acute care (15 years acute care experience).  I was hired by the Dallas office at 9.25 a line for clinic (8 years clinic experience).  My base was actually 8.25.  I had to produce 6,000 lines in a pay period with 1600 of these lines done on the weekend to get the extra penny a line.


It's the same old story...
You can lead a horse to water.... There's planned parenthood, free clinics, and 3 dozen forms of birth control.  In a time of more ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy than ever, we have rampant unplanned pregnancies.  It boils down to taking responsibility, and you can only do so much.  There's a whole lot of partying and "hookin up" going on out there, and when that happens, the birth control goes out the window.
SO WHAT IS THE STORY???
Is it better for us SE people or worse?
"A" story?
Royal Philips announces it will write off $753 million for MedQuist. Spokesman indicates Royal Philips may need to restate earnings.

Philips's Profit Drops 17% On Big Medquist Charge.

There's much more..do your own research!
My story!
Hello I wanted to tell you my story so you know it is not just you. I was thriving at the local hospital I had worked at for over 2 years having working my way into transcription and coding successfully. Then there was a boss that did not like me. I was finally at full time transcription and zooming along at it. The doctors were pleased, the administration was pleased, etc. The jobs were finally staying caught up. Well this woman was very very rude! A lot to tell but the basis was she told me that if I ever planned to work at home I would never make it because my 80-120 radiology jobs a day would not cut it (these were x-rays, CTs, MRIs, mammograms, CT-guidance, needle aspirations). I knew better but she still hurt my feelings by saying that. Nobody else except the combination of myself and two other girls, one old timer and one very new had ever been able to keep things caught up before and after I left either one. I got a work at home job and left there asap. Finally got my first radiology job after having worked at one national for 4 months and one a year. The second had a radiology opening and I am thriving like mad. I would love to find her and let her know a few things. Anyways, the moral is do not give up if you feel you can do it. Every company and every account is different. The first national company, account, and superviser were not for me and I strugged big time. This second company has been pretty good. My acute care was fine I just always loved radiology and am better at it. Some hate it. Keep going until you find your fit and I wish you the best of luck!! Don't let one person and/or company get you down. Keen on keeping on!!
Here's my story.
I worked in a doctor's office for many years and loved it. I would still be there except I now work at home which is better for me because I have children. There are some advertisements for Transcriptionist but like you said, not a lot. It may not hurt to start calling different offices. They have such a hard time finding transcriptionist, they may just be "making do". You could call and say you were interested in filling in when their regular transcriptionist was on vacation. That would get your foot in the door. I got my job the regular old way, I answered an ad. Good luck!
The story was (sm)

Letterman went on and on about wanting to be on Oprah's show.  Well, Oprah never called or took his calls.  Then she was reported as saying that she doesn't watch Dave's show and doesn't know what he is doing.  So Letterman finally laid off and didn't say much more about it because she never called.


So to him it probably was the event of the decade because he has been wanting to see her for so long!


Yes, it was touching.


Let me tell you a story.......
I worked for a very small MTSO, had two great accounts, no problem. This went on for several years, right up to the day she went off, fired several people, and threatened to fire me, also. I took that as my cue to leave said MTSO. I quit.

Several days later, she "needed" certain files that I had transcribed, which had already been sent to her and to the client. I had erased them from my computer. It was then, and still is MY computer. She told me point-blank that I had "no right to erase anything from that computer". Huh?????????

I suggested she contact her attorney, as I had done.

I never heard another word.

If it is your own property (computer), no one any way, any how, any where......can tell you what to do with it. Period.

Stand your ground and leave this company if they insist upon this policy. It is simply not right and it sure as heck is not legal.
Here's another story
A friend of mine had a contract with a local group of doctors and subbed some of her work out occasionally to me and another lady. The other lady didn't have a lot of experience, but had been subbing for her for over a year when all of a sudden she told her she had too many errors in her work and was not giving her any more. The lady got so upset by this that she wrote a letter to the doctor. The doctor in turn was so upset with the MT with the contract and wanted to know why she fired her and was concerned about getting sued and was just very upset that she had not even had a discussion with her or put her on probation or something. Maybe I should contact these docs adn apologize? It's not like I'm trying to get their business, just wanting to let them know I got fired and that I'm truly sorry they were unhappy. This lady doesn't even want to talk to me either by e-mail, messenger or phone. She is taying logged off of her messenger and won't answer e-mails at all. She is just hiding and avoiding this. I am not a confrontational person and have sent a nice e-mail to her, but she will not respond. Unbelievable. Maybe her docs will respond if I send them an apology.
More to the story...
If you want to hear more to the story, there were problems with TAT in the past. The fact of the matter is that when it occurred THIS PARTICULAR TIME, I was not fired on the spot, I was allowed to continue working for another week with geting work in on time, thinking everything was okay, not hearing a word that work would be ending and then at the beginning of the day today, told via e-mail that I was not needed any longer. She probably took that time to train someone else, I'm sure. I think that is so heartless and to not even face up to me or give me the courtesy of a phone call or a warning that my job was in danger. I hope this person can sleep at night.
You know I got a different story from them about
With the owner telling me one thing and the MT supe telling me something different, on the day I was supposed to do my training I emailed and canceled and declined employment with them. There has not been a lot of positives said about them since them. I'm glad I listed to my gut!
Here is my story......sm
I have been working at home for 16 years now, since my son was born. I have dealt with the strong urge to go to work outside of the home, even went on interviews and was offered many jobs; however, in the end, I turned down all of them. Reason: I chose to be a mom first and foremost. Secondly, why should I work out of the home when I can have the best of both worlds right here at home.

Granted, everyone's situation is different. I understand that.

It was my choice to stay home. My children are in their teens now. It is most important, for me, to be home when they get home from school and know exactly what they are up to, what friends they are with, etc. to try and keep them on the straight path to success and not get caught into the "wrong" crowd, which is so easy for teens.

The whole time I have been home, 16 years now, I have not regretted it for one minute. Did I think the grass was greener on the other side - Absolutely. In reality, it is not.

It all depends on what your priorities are and what type of life you will be happy with for you and your family. Only you can answer that from within.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide. Remember, if it does not work out, there will be other opportunities in the future for whatever it is want to do. When one door closes, another opens.

have/had the same story - here's what I did
After grieving what could have been, moved out of the bedroom for about 3 weeks and refused toh ave relations - only way to get guys' attention. Then told him his inability to share his feelings was like trying to love a cigar-store Indian - if he is not human enough to have feelings, can't love him. He actually went to a counselor on his own. I refused to go with and said until he dealt with his feelings or lack thereof, would do no good to "air out" differences.  It's working, believe it or not. The last week he was very attentive to me and working on putting names on feelings and saying them out loud.
Well I can tell you a story........
I did QA for a service. Many MTs were horrendous. No such thing as QA checks or random evaluations, EVER, for years. Then they would give them great raises or worse promote some of these poor quality MTs to QA! I would sit back and watch, with my jaw dropping. Sometimes I even overheard conversations/comments about a particularly bad MT, like *she is excellent* or *she'd be great in QA*, lol. Why, because she simply did a lot of work and had many years in? A few times I tried to get involved and add my opinion but ultimately my advice was not taken so I began to keep my mouth shut and just observe the comedy show going on. It truly floored me. That is when I realized that this industry if full of incompetence and people often get promoted simply based on years in and the amount of work they do (even if it's crap). You have to wonder if before long, nobody in management is truly qualified. In my opinion, this is not just QA...this includes supervisors, managers, and on up. So there you have it. :)
Let me tell you another story
Years ago when I was younger, going to be married, mother shopped in store having birthday celebration, fill out card guessing ? in jar for prizes. She did, gay lady saw, got phone #, called us and made our life a living hello!! Called all hrs of the day, saying "hello honey!" and we kids and mother knew right away. Came home 1 day to find my mother and guy peeking out behind our hallway- detective mother had set up sting to catch this person. It eventually died but so many phone calls, gave us a heck of a time.
I saw that story too, but not on SNL
I read it on the Internet. It was said that they (two spiders, I think) had actually set up a home with a web and everything.

Mind telling us the kind of bugs in your patient's ear (since they really may not be the same patient and you are not giving identifying information)? Just curious.
You could have just given my story.....
xx
Sad story about our
educational system. I was raised and educated in Australia. They have a great public education system and so expected even better here,

Sadly disappointed when I read correspondence being sent from the schools with misspelt words .. and from a SCHOOL! My young daughter was reprimanded by the teacher for innocently (she was about 6 at the time) correcting her.

Maybe posting this is a mistake. Don't want any "llove it or leave it" responses. I am a citizen and love this country but we need to do much better by our children. They deserve a sound educational system to allow them to survive in this competitive world.


My story

I was working for an endocrinology group and did a little transcription on the side to earn extra money.  A couple of years later, I was working as an RN for another doctor when my hubby became ill with a rare disease and needed full-time care.  When I resigned my position to care for him, the doctors approached and asked if I'd be interested in doing their transcription at home to earn a paycheck.  I jumped on the opportunity and have never looked back. 


I will say in the beginning, I earned more than I ever could have as an RN; however, with VR and outsourcing, the wages have steadily dropped in this job to the point that I'm starting to feel a struggle to stay afloat.  So, yes, it was easier years ago than it is now.


This is such a sad story

But deep down inside, you must know that you could not have saved her.  When people are going to suicide, they will find a way.  She made a choice.  It was her choice.  Yes, the therapist was an egomaniac and didn't listen as well as he should have, but I have a feeling it would not have helped. It may have delayed it by a day or two, but I don't think it would have prevented it.


I'm so sorry you carry this around with you.  I hope you find a way to really come to peace with it at some point.


here is my story

I struggle with the same problem, but I also have other factors that are causing my issues. I am battling swollen extremities due to my last trimester of pregnancy, but before the swelling began, I not only typed a lot but also knitted a bunch of stuff for the baby. Then swelling compacted the problem and I am unable to "heal."


My doctor told me to stop doing any activity that is aggravating the situation. Ha-ha. I quit everything but being an MT. I use ice packs a few times a day on my thumb joints, hand and thumb stretches, and range of motion exercises with my hands and thumbs. If it were safe I would take ibuprofen too. I bought some fingerless ergonomic gloves this weekend that keep your wrists in a proper straight position while allowing finger motion. They are for anyone who does any kind of repetitive motion. I think they are helping, but I have only used them for 2 days. They are available in most pharmacies and some craft stores. 


Good luck with your thumbs.


My story . . .
I couldn't find a job as an MA. I am still even certified (how does that work). Fast forward . . . I finally got hired - in reception - at a local hospital. As soon as their transcription department had an opening . . . I went for it and got hired. I have been doing it now for 5 years.
Sad story. I wonder why...(sm)
...they didn''t just drop this incompetent MTSO early in the game and go with one that was better rather than suffering through months and months of poor quality (and pay even more for you to fix things)?
She did not say she was an IC - that would be a different story -
That would be filing a schedule C for home business; if you are an employee, you do not file a schedule C, it goes in with your itemized deductions. Two different situations.
However, there's a flip side
The company I work for actually lost a large hospital account because THEY wanted to go to VR and we wouldn't!
The down side to homeschooling
I have personally seen kids that have been home schooled and become "out of touch" with society. These kids ultimately end up having "culture shock" when they are out in the real world and around lots of people.

I know of several kids that were home schooled and when the parents decided it was too much and they sent them back to school the kids were "THRILLED!" During the home schooling process, the kids became disengaged from friends and became loners.

Again, this is my own personal experience that I have witnessed through friends.

DON'T FLAME ME this is just what I have witnessed first hand!!!!!
Side Dish
Any suggestions for a side dish to go with spinach lasagna?
Who needs to use the other side of the brain?

Life is complicated enough for us guys!


on the lighter side of Man

and after spending 3 days in a log cabin out in the middle of nowhere with my family for Christmas, I was reminded once again of that old saying "girls rule while boys drool"!  It was a beautiful Christmas with all the extended family ,but being the only girl out of 11 boys, I am an expert


as a side thought (sm)
remember to say "I love you." Also a hug goes a long way! Our kids do the ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww mom and dad when they catch us in a hug. It's not a bad hug or anything, just an I love you hug. We think it's funny, but I'd rather them remember their younger days of mom and dad hugging than not. I don't have those memories of my parents because they didn't show affection.

Oops, going off down memory lane there.
on the flip side....
Howver, tonight I have spent the longest time on a very long dictation for the absolute worst dictator. Not dreamy--a nightmare! Although I was dreaming of stranguling him through the internet connection--ah if only. Oh, my nerves are on edge now and he was the last one it looks like for the night. What a horrible way to end the night. Maybe a few more will filter in so I can forget him.
I would go for the money and keep the side job because---
things change really fast in MT these days. In either job, you could be out of work within the next year. I'd start stashing some cash.
No, they are on the other side of the country
xx
if you get sound out of one side sm

of earphones.  Does anyone have any suggestions.  I tried other earphones and the same thing.  I check volume etc. 


 


TIA