healthcare reform

I'm not in the country to be inundated with news and pundits and perspectives, etc., but based upon my life experiences - both personal and professional - I see a need for a major overhaul of the American health care industry. Competent and complete health care should be a right, not a privilege.

If you know me, or have been following this and read allusions to my medical past, you know that I've had ongoing health issues that haven't always been resolved satifactorily - due to some cursory exams and delayed necessary treatment I have some lifelong otherwise-avoidable heath issues. I'm not happy about it but I've accepted it, I just hate it when they start affecting my life.

This past week I slipped and hurt myself. I've had to go back to the doctor a few times, get some shots and various prescriptions to address my back pain - now I have to start physical therapy too. No, I'm not thrilled about it, but I'm impressed with how easy it is to get in and get treatment. Yesterday I saw someone who referred me to someone who saw me today who referred me to PT who should see me tomorrow. I've had 2 examinations - one with a neurologist, a round of injections, light massage, minor manipulations, and a couple of prescriptions in the past 36 hours. The total cost for everything - under 220 crowns - the US equivalent... $11.82.

If you get sick here you go to the doctor. If you miss 2 days of work you need a note from the doctor. Everyone goes because it's so easy once you understand how... you go to the office and sit and wait until it's your turn. I still don't understand the appointment concept here... it's rather useless it seems, but I call and go and wait. The doctor takes you immediately, skip the American nurse step, and deals with you one and one until you are through. Then they take the next person. It costs me 30 crowns (less than $2) for each visit. It's odd to me, but that's an outrage here - people don't think that 30kc should be charged... it should be at no cost - I think the charge is relatively new. Some doctors will charge 60kc for translated paperwork, but I've not met that.

I still am quite uncertain while waiting... it flows but I'm not quite comfortable with the stream just yet. I am however, quite impressed with the ease of access everyone has. I don't understand why our medical care, American medical care, with a system and technology as advanced as we have access to, can't assure a universal level of quality, care, and attention for every person in need. There is no reason for people to be going bankrupt for medical purposes, for people to die of colds or pneumonia at home, for an illness or condition to go undetected or untreated as regular doctor visits and required care are so expensive - even for people with insurance. (My medication, with insurance, was once costing over $2,000 month - this while I was unable to work due to my condition. My situation wasn't that unusual.)

Years ago Coral had some medical issue suddenly arise - the doctor did an exam and it didn't go so well - he turned grey and left the room suddenly. When he came back, she was still in tears from the pain, and he sat at a desk - I asked, on edge, what was wrong, and before he would answer me he asked me about our insurance. Before telling me what he believed her condition to be he wanted to check the parameters of our insurance policy to make sure what he thought she needed would be covered. Our policy was more complicated than what what he wanted so he had us go a different route. Care should be dictated by what is medically necessary, not by how easy it is to get a hold of a customer service rep to check the rules and hoops a doctor has to negotiate in order to keep their patient healthy.

I don't know what the solution is for all of this. I haven't taken the time to weigh the pros and cons of the proposals. I just know that for us to hold ourselves out with pride and esteem we need to take better care of all our people - the haves and the have nots. No one should suffer because they can't afford to see a doctor, and no one should be rushed because the doctor needs to turn a bed over to a better insured patient.

neurology and physical therapy.

I spent the majority of 10 (plus) years with my life centered around my physical being... lots of hospitals, tests, needles, scans, doctors and PT. The end result - some permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, mobility limitations, and a few other wonky things that I'm stuck with or need to monitor. Last week I misstepped and now I'm off work and home from school. Today I'm feeling a bit out of sorts and contemplating my continued existence on this continent (as in, why am I here, still, what are my intentions in being here, and what about going home).

I went to the doctor yesterday and he wanted to start sticking needles in my back full of medication (?) I didn't understand. I passed so I could come home and translate the words and think about it... and so he gave me some pills and told me to call him in the morning. I called a short while ago, and based on the lack of improvement, I now have to go to the neurologist, today, and start PT and get those shots. (It's lidocaine, not a big deal, but he used the local word for it and I didn't know.)

While my doctor visit and the medication cost me less than $10 total, I'm far from thrilled about having the 'opportunity to take advantage' of my health insurance. I wish a lot of things in life were different sometimes, only momentarily, as after some resolution I find that I'm grateful for the challenges I've surmounted... but really, it would be nice if I had a little less physical pain in my personal challenges. Please.

uff, and thanks kiddo

Yesterday was I had some meetings and had committed to attending the opening of a new art space. I got dressed knowing my plans for the evening and the fact that I wouldn't be returning home before going out... so I put on some heels that complemented my outfit.

Then I went outside... where it was snowing - and things sorta came to a halt. I ended up rushing all morning long, despite having gotten up early - but the tram was 30 minutes late and then got stuck in traffic. I was running late for a meeting. Getting off the tram at my final destination, it was curved away from the curb and I stepped on to the street, rather than the sidewalk, even thought I had the intention of stepping on to the sidewalk, and somehow I stepped wrong and did something odd to my back.

Now - after 30 hours of spasms and such, I'm stuck at home, unable to get fully upright and/or make it down the 3 1/2 flights of stairs to the street.. which doesn't matter much as I'm not walking all that well either so if I got downstairs then what? Turn around and come back?

On the weekends we usually do a major grocery shopping. That means, by Friday we're pretty short on food... as in, we don't have much, if any. Coral is a lifesaver right now and heading out to the grocery store for me. Thank you CORAL!

Later - we're going to watch 3 movies - Lost Boys, Silver Bullet (both part of our Corey Haim tribute - my first real movie-star pre-teen crush) and then Highlander per Coral's request. I can't do much else, the weather is miserable, and her friends are busy so it's gonna be a movie weekend.

a few truths and a lie... join me, why don't you?

The other day Coral lent some notes to a classmate... that classmate apparently got a little bored during the class and, along with another friend, started playing a game on the blank side of her papers.

It's often called two truths and a lie, but in this instance the kid put down three truths and a lie. I saw the writing this morning and decided to share them with you all... hoping that you'll take a guess - that's the point of the game - pick out which is the lie. Please keep in mind these were written by a high school aged student.

1. I have been naked in an ambassador's residence.

2. I have been assaulted by the Czech Special Forces.

3. I have been in a plane that was struck by lightening.

4. I have split my head open three times.

Good luck and thanks for playin!

lovely wonderful doctor lady and gratitude for Jill

Today we went to the newest doctor's appointment for my monkey... and I have so much appreciation for the doctor, the office, and one of the monkey's friend's Mom, Jill.

The regular doctor was on vacation but the woman who filled in was just lovely. She was quiet and calm and peaceful and not only listened, but checked the parameters of our insurance and had prepared a list of potential appropriate contacts for us in advance of our coming. Then, she contacted one of the people her contact had referred her to (stronger English skills) and scheduled the appointment for us. She checked to make sure that the kid had everything she needed and was so pleasant and helpful and doctorly yet listened - it was truly a world of difference.

And Jill - she had called and scheduled the appointment, met us at the metro, walked us to the place, dealt with the Czech speaking staff, and then offered to come with us to the next appointment too. Her presence is so bright and cheery and friendly and helpful and Czech-competent... I'm truly grateful.

The plus - in addition to finally getting on the right track for the appropriate care, my monkey has also been having a little bit of a reduction with her headache pain.

YEA!

spring head

During the winter I think men look more attractive here. I've figured out why. It's cause they wear hats.

When everyone is wearing hats you can't see that they don't wash their hair. Right now (not today cause it started snowing again today, but other than today) people aren't wearing so many hats. I don't like it. Greasy oily dandruffy hair everywhere you look.

I've been told by some people that they think it's normal to only wash your hair once a week during the winter. I thought the people who told me that were all joking, but since it's come from more than one source, and a few were spontaneous utterances and unaffiliated people, and based upon my own observations... well, I'm beginning to believe it.

YUCK!

cinderelly cinderelly

I got invited to a ball... but I don't have a dress to wear... and I have a lot of work - so I don't think my evil step-mother (also known as my conscience) will give her consent.