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For a Healthier Country
Author: BobR    Date: 2021-10-13 12:00:40

As most of the daily readers of this tiny corner of the blogosphere already know, I was in the hospital for 5 days last week. It was not at all pleasant. The first 12 hrs or so were spent on a gurney in a room in the ER. After that, I was transferred to the "general" hospital (no Luke or Laura - sorry). I had a private room, which seemed strange, but was very welcome. Everything was top-notch... and I was miserable.

It's quite the helpless feeling, being essentially tied to a fairly uncomfortable bed, with tubes stuck in your arms, and unable to go anywhere (I REALLY like my - er, "our" - bed at home). I would set off an alarm just getting out of bed, so I was unable to walk to the bathroom without getting someone to come in, and unable to just move from bed to chair and back. Sleep was constantly interrupted as blood was drawn, temperature taken, and blood pressure and O2 levels checked. The first couple days I could only have clear liquids, so I was sleep-deprived, uncomfortable, and hungry (with no appetite) 'round the clock.

What made this bearable was the equipment and people working there are absolutely wonderful. It was a rainbow of colors, genders, nationalities, and - with one exception - I felt lucky to have them all working around the clock to get my health back to the point where I was able to come back home. They are part of the Adventist Healthcare chain, which I assume means they are owned and managed by the 7th Day Adventists. Did that matter to me? Not a bit. Only once at the very end of my stay did they send around a "spiritual advisor" who engaged in a thoughtful conversation, and thanked us for giving her something to think about. I'd recommend this chain to anyone.

Despite all of the discomfort I went through on the path to getting healthier, though, I consider myself very lucky. I have good insurance, and an HSA to cover most of the shortfall beyond my copay. I don't know what that will look like, but it's possible I am completely covered, or I could be making payments for years to come. Before the ACA, there were hundreds of thousands of my fellow citizens who would be financially ruined by something like this. Thousands still live in areas where the level of skill, caring, and equipment isn't anywhere close to what was available to me.

This wasn't a near-death experience by any means, and I am not going to wax philosophical about the meaning of life, or to implore everyone to make the most of the time they have here on this earth. What it does reinforce for me is that after seeing from the inside what's possible, re: healthcare, it makes me want to fight even harder to ensure this is available to everyone. Medicare for all, and better Medicare for those who have it! Every other civilized nation on earth (and even some not-so-civilized) ensure their citizens have access to low (or no) cost healthcare. They can afford it - so can we.
 
 

11 comments (Latest Comment: 10/13/2021 22:24:38 by livingonli)
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Comments:

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Comment by wickedpam on 10/13/2021 13:37:13
Morning

Comment by Will in Chicago on 10/13/2021 13:46:53
Good morning, bloggers!!!!

BobR, I am glad to hear that things went well for you in the hospital.

We need universal healthcare and better social services. I am enjoying being in Los Angeles, but I know that there is poverty and homelessness here. These issues can be addressed if only we find the courage to do so.

Comment by Scoopster on 10/13/2021 13:56:06
Mornin' all..

Glad to know you're doing much better Bob.. did they ever find out if it was just a gallstone or something else causing it?

Comment by Scoopster on 10/13/2021 13:59:43
Comment by Raine on 10/13/2021 14:32:53
Good morning!

Comment by Raine on 10/13/2021 14:34:19
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Glad to know you're doing much better Bob.. did they ever find out if it was just a gallstone or something else causing it?
they think the gallbladder was a source of infection -- the meds he's been on may have also been a problem-- a perfect storm as it were.


Comment by livingonli on 10/13/2021 15:18:56
Good morning. Some pain pills added to my regimen since I have a headache and it was difficult to sleep the last 2 nights because of the abscess. Although it does seem to be draining, so that's a good sign.

Comment by BobR on 10/13/2021 16:01:34
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning. Some pain pills added to my regimen since I have a headache and it was difficult to sleep the last 2 nights because of the abscess. Although it does seem to be draining, so that's a good sign.

I'd say "I feel your pain", but what you've been going through is WAY worse than the small bump in the road I had.

Do you have a patient advocate looking after your best interests?

Comment by Raine on 10/13/2021 18:59:20
Hey Tri:





Comment by Raine on 10/13/2021 19:02:08
Quote by BobR:
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning. Some pain pills added to my regimen since I have a headache and it was difficult to sleep the last 2 nights because of the abscess. Although it does seem to be draining, so that's a good sign.

I'd say "I feel your pain", but what you've been going through is WAY worse than the small bump in the road I had.

Do you have a patient advocate looking after your best interests?
Gonna follow this up with a question, what going on? Where are the abscesses and what is happening with your prosthetic?




Comment by livingonli on 10/13/2021 22:24:38
Quote by Raine:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning. Some pain pills added to my regimen since I have a headache and it was difficult to sleep the last 2 nights because of the abscess. Although it does seem to be draining, so that's a good sign.

I'd say "I feel your pain", but what you've been going through is WAY worse than the small bump in the road I had.

Do you have a patient advocate looking after your best interests?
Gonna follow this up with a question, what going on? Where are the abscesses and what is happening with your prosthetic?



The abscess is on the back of my head by my left ear. As for the prosthetic, the company handling came by for a fitting a few weeks ago. It was put on, but it still needs some adjustment so that it stays straight when I stand and has the cushion in the front so the skin doesn't open.