Yesterday when Michael took one of his “I’ve got to get out of this chair” kind of walks he noticed multiple piles of bear poop on our walking route. Last night we decided to drive the VW over to the gulch where we have seen bears eating on the chokecherry trees. No bears but we did see a whole tree full of these birds, what are they Judy?
Imagine my surprise when I clicked on my blog reader report this morning—I went over 1000 readers for the week—first time ever!! And I know my blog readers are getting tired of hearing about Michael’s illness but it is what is consuming us lately. Mike and Pat, Gina and Rollie, and all our other readers, please keep those prayers and thoughts coming, we need them!
Now, for my rant. The next person who says to me, “I don’t want socialized medicine, or I don’t want the kind of health care they have in Canada” better be prepared for my anger! I have a husband who is in the worst kind of pain, it wakes him in the middle of the night with a vengeance and totally brings him to his knees. It strikes in the middle of the day with the same devastating results. His arms and hands are incredibly swollen. Guess when I can get him in to see an internist---October, 7! Guess when I can get him in to see a rheumatologist—November 29! Yea, right, we have the best health care in the world, NOT!
And, in spite of the fact that we told the doctor we saw yesterday in Big Timber that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen did not agree with Michael, he insisted that Michael take ibuprofen in prescription dosage. Last night about an hour after taking ibuprofen, Mike is sitting in his chair and says to me, “Janna, I feel as if an elephant is sitting on my chest, I can’t breathe and I have this terrible ringing in my ears.” OK, no more ibuprofen for Michael—why don’t doctors listen to their patients???? Non-steroidal medications have an incidence of causing heart attacks in people!
So yesterday was a good day, last night and today we took 10 steps back.
TWO DIFFERENT DOCTORS' OFFICES
Boy, if this doesn't hit the nail on the head, I don't know what does!
Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.
The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, Is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.
The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week
And finally has his surgery scheduled for a month from then.
Why the different treatment for the two patients?
The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.
Next time take me to a vet!
Mom and Chuck came over today to see about Michael and Chuck had the above in an email—it certainly is appropriate at this time! Mom made Michael his favorite pie—cherry cheesecake, in hopes it would either make him better or cheer him up!
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Michael and Janna' my prayers are still with you. Hope Michael can find a good specialist soon to find out for sure what his illness is and get him on a proper medicine. Tell Martha and Chuck hello for me. Hope to see them when they get home.
ReplyDeleteHi Janna and Mike,
ReplyDeleteI think the bird is a Cedar Waxwing.
Hoping Mike finds some relief soon.
love, Nancy and Geoff
Janna, this is the least of your priorities, I know, but I think the bird is a Cedar Waxwing.
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping for a resolution to Michael's health problem SOON!
I sure hope relief for Michael's problem comes soon. I am totally appalled that in this day & age of modern medicine that the problem has not been diagnosed & treated properly yet. Something very, very, wrong in the medical field somewhere!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear some Americans say they "don't want socialize medicine", I just shake my head. A lot of them are seniors who are gladly on Medicare. I got news for those folks - that's every bit as socialized as what you think are Canadian system is.
ReplyDeleteWe call ours universal health care. We've been on it all of our lives and love it.
yes universal health care..we wait too!...and I work in health care..my husband needed an MRI a couple of years ago and was told it would be 10 months at least..but I was able to pull some strings and get him in within a week.this of course is an exception..I have met patients who have been waiting over a year for a knee or hip replacement..no system is perfect....even in Canada it is not what you know but who you know..we hope that Mike is feeling better soon!!
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with Mike that he gets some relief from his pain very soon.
ReplyDeleteRod and Connie
Good morning Janna and Mike........I'm hoping this is one of Mike's good days. I know what you're going through. We won't get tired of hearing about Michael because we know you both are hurting. We'll just keep praying.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you are already doing this but I would be on the phone to both doctor's offices every day and ask if they have any cancellations. I have always been able to get in a lot earlier than my scheduled appointment. Maybe the receptionist just gets tired of me calling every day and finally finds me an opening but it seems to work. As Gina says, "Just a thought." :-) We will put Michael on the prayer list at our little Cowboy Church. Big hugs for you both..
Love ya and been praying for you. Use your mad energy to pester those health care workers. WE know that they can ALWAYS work someone in.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a cedar waxwing in that picture. Hope Mike gets reflief soon. :)
ReplyDeleteJanna. My husband works for the NPS & came home with a very swollen wrist, red, hurt like crazy. He started feeling really sick too. He went to the VA hospital & they immediately put him on heavy duty antibiotics (not penicillen)& steroids - treated him for MERSA !! They didn't know if it was really MERSA or something bit him but took no chances. But a co-worker had the same symptoms just on both of his legs. Tell the doctors to think out of the box & if you mention MERSA I'll bet he'll be in to see a doctor in no time flat.
ReplyDelete