No thanks to the "system" this story had a relatively happy ending. But there are many more who put up with the disgraceful neglect and indifference, waiting in pain for years for treatment, or die waiting. And this is what Obama wants for America?Five years ago, at age 80, after waiting eight months for an appointment, I saw an orthopedic surgeon at Victoria Orthopedic Clinic. I was wearing a leg brace, used a cane and had had several cortisone injections to keep going and to get some relief from pain. The surgeon never looked at me or read my summary of volunteer activities I was still trying to do.
He only said: "You are 80 years old, what do you expect me to do for you? Come back in six months we might consider a partial knee replacement."
I was so upset I asked the receptionist to take my name off their list. I was prepared to ask my husband to take out a mortgage on our house and make arrangement to go to the U.S. for the surgery. From there I went to an appointment to have my knee brace adjusted and she told me about an orthopedic surgeon who had just arrived from South Africa in Duncan and that he had a short waiting list.
I rushed to my doctor, got a referral and saw this surgeon the next week and had the surgery two weeks later. It was successful and the followup care was outstanding. Today I received a call from the orthopedic clinic saying my name had come up as wanting knee surgery and did I still want it done -- this after five years.
This is a story of ageism, the sad state of our health-care system and the treatment of senior citizens who have paid taxes for more than 60 years.
"One should doubtless keep an open mind...though open at both ends, like the food pipe, and have a capacity for excretion as well as intake." -- Northrop Frye, 'The Great Code'
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ageism, indifference and neglect
There are many, many examples illustrating the failings of government monopoly healthcare. Here’s one more in an excellent letter to the editor [my highlights]:
Everyone wants their health care for “free”. And at the same time no one wants to pay the full cost. That’s especially true of large organizations whether they are Corporations or Governments. Of course the same applies to “Healthy Henry”, he has other things to spend his money on besides other people’s health care needs. Most of us feel this way until the day we need some of that “big buck” health care ourselves. It really comes down to how we all look out for our own interests first and foremost. It’s human nature to do so.
ReplyDeleteThe end result is the rationing of health care. These “wait lists” and “shortages” are designed into the health care system. They are designed into the system because of the fact that most people don’t want to pay higher taxes to build a better system.
Then we have all the left wing organizations and media that promote this system and viciously trash any alternatives. How ironic that these groups who claim to support the little guy are the ones who want him sitting at home, withering in pain because it will save money for all the Limousine Liberals running all the big corporations. Of course all of the liberal and left wing organizations are funded and controlled by the super rich Limo Liberals now a days. This has been done for one reason, and that reason is to look after their interests, and their interest only. The “Trojan Horse” strategy is still working great, even after all those years.
Keith Martin has a good column on this in my local rag today.
ReplyDeleteI have also found that people of that generation generally treat their doctors as little less than gods; they rarely chastise them for any delays, patiently waiting their turn, seldom seeking a second opinion and take whatever treatment is offered.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, I gave my parents tickets to Vegas. They were getting on but in generally good health, although my stepfather had prostrate cancer.
About two weeks before their departure, the hospital called and told him his appointment was for such and such a date, the date of their travel. There was no emergency. This was just a regular, bi-annual check up.
They did not even ask if they had a choice. They simply took the appointment rather than the trip, losing a couple of thousand dollars in the process.
These were both strong willed, self made and self-assured people, but where the doctors and the system were concerned, they simply took them at their word. I was surprised to say the least, but I think it is an attitude that is prevalent in that generation.
Sorry, that was me.
ReplyDeleteWayne
Wayne, I agree. My older neighbour waited patiently for over two years for his hip surgery. Also there seems to be a lot more letters from seniors praising the system than lambasting it.
ReplyDelete