I leave Dr. Vargo’s office as I increasingly do, confused and discouraged. After five years of twice-weekly sessions of her trying to find trauma’s etching pieces in my early developmental puzzle --via talk therapy, hypnosis, and regression modalities, but finding nothing -- still she insists on finding something that I have to conclude, just isn’t there.
Today I receive a form letter:
Dear Patients,
Dr. Vargo, aka Robodoc #46546, was sent back for factory refurbishing. Robodoc #88977, aka Dr. Kazoo, is now available for appointments. Unfortunately your case file transfers were unsuccessful.
Your health matters to us.
The Corporation
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao-Talk 
Very good take Li.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Sadje!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome my dear friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
He he he
Guess she had a great escape
But we are not far from such days!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is quite possible in the near future
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know :(
LikeLiked by 1 person
😱
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and your comment. I think you are right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what it feels like sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLike
🍪
LikeLiked by 1 person
AI gone mad, how can you trust a Robadoc when even the real human ones are at time odd.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was great! I enjoyed it so much
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Someone :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a clever take on the prompt! Loved it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, San!
LikeLike
Haha! Dr. Kazoo! Very good, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nancy :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
YW, Li
LikeLiked by 1 person
When the robodoc starts hallucinating! Great story, Lisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read multiple articles about how, like children, AI watches what we do and mimics it. Why not mental illness? Thanks, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooo I love it
Such a build up and then…
Imagine the money lost over 5 years of nothing. Ouch
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Laurie. Cannot imagine being forced to use AI as a therapist!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it seems like she’s running a profitable business. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is priceless Lisa great write – unfortunately this is the way we are heading 😕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ange, I agree with you :( Thanks, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe there’s nothing wrong with her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
James, that’s a distinct possibility! Thanks for reading and your comment.
LikeLike
This was SO good – and the digital/robo part really surprised me – excellent
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yvette, I’m glad you were surprised :) Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
A glimpse into the future. Oh dear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keith, I think “telehealth” is a step towards it. They had my mom, who was in terrible health, doing doctor visits over the computer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just had to find a new therapist because mine was moving- so the pain is real- even when they are flesh and blood! Great take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
V, sorry you had to change therapists. It’s got to be like losing a family member in a way, as they must know so much about your history. Thank you <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bizarre and brilliant, Li 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chris thanks much <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
OMG! This one fires on all cylinders for me. Robodoc??? Having gone through years of therapy, I think this letter would’ve pushed me over the edge. I agree with Chris. Brilliant.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, happy this one resonated with you. I think after all that the first one put her through to just up and disappear, it may do just that. Thanks, as always, for your support.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Chilling … because it is the way we are going. Fantastic story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brenda, yes it is. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
This doesn’t feel like fiction. It feels like 2027. At least, the Robotic didn’t talk you through suicide. That’s so 2026.
LikeLike
Great comment, Nobbin. Indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol Li 🤩🤩👌💜💜 I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
:) Thanks, CA!
LikeLike
This is great – it made me laugh while getting important points across. Love that last line!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy it made you laugh, Sheila :) Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one hits close to home. Earlier this year our Dr.s office got a new system. I think they also lost half of our information and kept stuff that wasn’t valid. Does my health matter? With one doc trying to get me care that I don’t need…because they perhaps didn’t consult the specialist they already sent me too, who declared me health. I may have abnormal blood, but it is healthy abnormal blood! Still working on getting that straightened out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jules, so sorry you are going through that mess. I’ve had similar struggles with my doctor, which is why I avoid all medical people like the plague. My dentist doesn’t count in that mess, but sad to say my beloved dentist, who made a horror chamber as pleasant as one can be, just retired. His son in-law has taken over the practice, and I’m not impressed so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve pretty much had the same dentist since we moved here… Not sure what we’ll do when he retires.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was quite amusing, in a sad sort of way. :/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dawn. I see life as the double theater mask more and more. Finding a way to smile at the worst of it is a real trick.
LikeLiked by 1 person