Doctors

[Colleen Thomas]

We all sometimes complain about doctors here in the U.S. I know I do with all of them I see. Today I had to go because I have had bad sinus headaches. These have been kicking off my migranes and despite being dead broke I just had to go.

My doctor knows I have lost my insurance. He knows too that I am waiting on disability and he sent the paper work to them without me having to prod him unlike the other 30 something doctors.

He told me to come at 1:30, but to expect to have to wait as late as three to be seen. I did so. At 2:45 he got me in, diagnosed it as a very very nasty infection. He's a competant doctor, but I found out today a lot more about him as a man than as a doctor.

He charged me 12.00$ for the office vist, explaining that he snuck me in between regualarly scheduled patients, thus the long wait. He prescribed a ten day round of antibiotics that go for around seven dollars a pill and then gave me ten samplers from his sample closet as well as a sample inhaler.

Sometimes one person, through their own acts of kindness can make you wake up and realize that as bad as it seems, the world isn't just filled with people, it's filled with good people.

I just wanted to share this. It did wonders to restore my faith in people.

-Colly

 

[pop_54]

We all sometimes complain about doctors here in the U.S. I know I do with all of them I see. Today I had to go because I have had bad sinus headaches. These have been kicking off my migranes and despite being dead broke I just had to go.

My doctor knows I have lost my insurance. He knows too that I am waiting on disability and he sent the paper work to them without me having to prod him unlike the other 30 something doctors.

He told me to come at 1:30, but to expect to have to wait as late as three to be seen. I did so. At 2:45 he got me in, diagnosed it as a very very nasty infection. He's a competant doctor, but I found out today a lot more about him as a man than as a doctor.

He charged me 12.00$ for the office vist, explaining that he snuck me in between regualarly scheduled patients, thus the long wait. He prescribed a ten day round of antibiotics that go for around seven dollars a pill and then gave me ten samplers from his sample closet as well as a sample inhaler.

Sometimes one person, through their own acts of kindness can make you wake up and realize that as bad as it seems, the world isn't just filled with people, it's filled with good people.

I just wanted to share this. It did wonders to restore my faith in people.

-Colly

There are some nice people left in this world Colly darling, I'm so glad you've met one at last, someone who was willing to bend the rules to help you, rather than kicking you when you're down as usual. I've heard so many horror stories of failed medical insurance and susequent treatment of the poor unfortunate concerned in your part of the world.

We over here have so much of a problem with sympathising about your medical system, we just don't seem to appreciate what we have, other than a charge for prescriptions our medical system is completely free to all residents. From a £20 minor cut to a £20,000 major operation and hospital stay, we don't have to pay bugger all, other than a weekly contribution from salaries, and should this dry up, we still get treated free.

Best of luck love, and I hope all will be well for you soon.

 

[gauchecritic]

Colly,

Glad you found one, my younger years were filled (and are still apparent) with generous professionals and kindness from complete strangers, it's taken me until now to give something back to complete strangers and people in my care.

I think this is what they call Karma.

Gauche

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Thanks pops, you are the sweetest pirate in all the seven seas

I think everyone knows there are good folks out there, it just really makes an impression when you have gone through what I have when someone lets all the rules, red tape and profit motive slide just to help you.

It changes the way you look at the world.



Thanks for being you pops, you make the world a brighter place too.

-Colly

 

[Guest]

$12.00 for an office visit?? Oh wow are you lucky. That was a fantastic thing that your doctor did for you.

We are also without insurance right now, and my doctor is very good about giving me samples (and also prescribed enough refills on my medicine that I won't have to go back for a year), but he still charges the full amount for an office visit ($100).

I'm glad that you were able to get taken care of and it not cost you very much. I know how hard it is to need to go to the doctor and not really be able to afford it.

 

[cookiejar]

We all sometimes complain about doctors here in the U.S. I know I do with all of them I see. Today I had to go because I have had bad sinus headaches. These have been kicking off my migranes and despite being dead broke I just had to go.

My doctor knows I have lost my insurance. He knows too that I am waiting on disability and he sent the paper work to them without me having to prod him unlike the other 30 something doctors.

He told me to come at 1:30, but to expect to have to wait as late as three to be seen. I did so. At 2:45 he got me in, diagnosed it as a very very nasty infection. He's a competant doctor, but I found out today a lot more about him as a man than as a doctor.

He charged me 12.00$ for the office vist, explaining that he snuck me in between regualarly scheduled patients, thus the long wait. He prescribed a ten day round of antibiotics that go for around seven dollars a pill and then gave me ten samplers from his sample closet as well as a sample inhaler.

Sometimes one person, through their own acts of kindness can make you wake up and realize that as bad as it seems, the world isn't just filled with people, it's filled with good people.

I just wanted to share this. It did wonders to restore my faith in people.

-Colly

Sounds a lot like my doctor Colly. It'd tough to get into him because his little acts of kindness have won him tons of fans(Lol patients). It also helps because he is one hell of a doctor besides. I feel lucky to have found him. I hope you feel better soon...

 

[ABSTRUSE]

That doctor is certainly one of a few good ones still out there who care about the needs of the patients and not worry about insurances or fees. He's a treasure.

My mother just came home from being in the hospital since before Christmas. She was in ICU for a month on a vent, had a traecheostomy, stomach tubes, chest tubes, the works. Trying to get any information out of the medical staff was like asking to give us secret government documents. No one would return calls or answer questions, it was a nightmare. It's nice to hear your expierience was pleasant and gives me some hope that there are good people out there who care about others.

Reminds me of my favorite quote:
"Practice reandom acts of kindness and senseless acts of Beauty"

I'm a firm believer in Kharma and if you are kind without seeking a reward, the favor will be returned to you. It's a painless procedure that can make a difference in some ones life.

Thanks for sharing something uplifting today!

"A"

 

[Dirt Man]

Do no harm, that is the credo of doctors, but somehow they have a memory laps when they hand you the bill. The truth is, the medical profession has become all about making money, from the doctor on down to the required guy who pushes you in the wheelchair to your car for $100.00 USD. And if the medical profession was all about healing then why don't they heal anybody? I mean they only really treat the symptoms, and that at best is a very educated guess. And one can only hope the education behind that guess is substantial enough for their body to continue to heal itself. Still, I hate going to a doctor mostly because they are all of them hiding a God like insecurity behind a mask of arrogance. But one thing is for sure, To get away from them, all you have to do is show them that you don't need them anymore, or give them a glimps of your empty check book.

As Always
I Am the
Dirt Man

 

[The_old_man]

The extreme cost of medical care in the U.S.A. is primarily caused by Federal/State/Local Red Tape!

A very good Friend who is a retired MD tells horror stories about the mass/mess of REQUIRED Records for State, County, and Federal Medicare programs. He claims that OVER 85% of his time was spent filling out patient record forms for the various government Agencies.

The remainder of the cost increase is the result of inflation, which was over 20% for the end of the Carter Years. I can remember double scoop ice cream cones for five cents, Dad complaining of 12 cent a gallon gasoline, and a Ford Sedan selling for $899. Dad sold the Ford ten years later for $1200.

 

[SnoopDog]

The ammount of those people is decreasing rapidly, which makes me often sad and angry at the same time. But I'm glad you know one of those people and I think it was a good decision to post it, so we all know that here is some good in this world.
Snoopy

 

[SeaCat]

Keep that doctor.

Being in the medical field myself I know you hit one of the few that are willing to risk his/her butt. The risks doctors take these days are incredible, and their profits are negligeble.
We hd a patient a couple of months ago show up with a severe reaction to an insect bite. She had no Medic-Alert braceletes or necklace showing she was allergic to a commonly used anti-histamine. She had a reaction to the Anti-Hystamine given to her, and is now sueing the doctor. She claims the doctor should have investigated further than he did, ( He should have called her family in another state to see if she was allergic to this medication.) She, by the way is a Registered Nurse.
This doctor must now spend time in court showing he used every avenue available to him to determine wether or not she was allergic to this medication, which he used to alleviate a life threatening situation.
Unfortunately this type of situation is much too common. People will sue a doctor for trying his/her best if the outcome is not to their liking. Here in southern Florida we are now seeing doctors retiring or changing career fields because of this. We also see docors turning away patients who are in need oftheir help because of their fear of lawsuits.
Unfortunately this is also spilling over into the areas of R.N.'s, L.P.N.'s, and C.N.A.'s. People view us as potential incomes because of their greed and want of money.
Yes, there are those among us who fake it, and don't do their jobs, but they are few and far between. (And people wonder why there is a critical shortage of nurses?)
Hold on to this doc with both hands. In fact let him know you appreciate his efforts to help you. You wont find many like him anymore.

SeaCat

 

[Guest]

. . .Sometimes one person, through their own acts of kindness can make you wake up and realize that as bad as it seems, the world isn't just filled with people, it's filled with good people.

-Colly

You are a good person yourself, sweet Colly.

I'm so happy you found a wonderful doctor. I know they're out there (we really love our family pediatrician) but your doctor seems pretty wonderful - like an answer to a prayer.

Take care of yourself - I'm sorry you've been sick! Lots of rest and all that -

 

[minsue]

Re: Keep that doctor.

She had a reaction to the Anti-Hystamine given to her, and is now sueing the doctor. She claims the doctor should have investigated further than he did, ( He should have called her family in another state to see if she was allergic to this medication.) She, by the way is a Registered Nurse.

Just makes you proud to be an American, don't it? We are nothing if not litigious.

 

[shereads]

I agree that a lot of doctors have a god complex, but I think the lack of personal care has more to do with their being discouraged by the system here than anything else. There are bound to be as many "good" doctors as there were a generation or two ago, it's just that their hands are tied by seeing so many patients for such a brief amount of time - typically fifteen minutes or so for a Medicare or HMO-sponsored visit - that it's difficult to make a personal connection with a patient or to go out of one's way to do something nice.

Insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies and the politicians they've bought call the shots in our system. They certainly had their way in the Medicare prescription drug package that was passed this year under the guise of taking better care of our elderly.

Look at all of the legal roadblocks that are being set up to prevent pharmacies in the U.S. from taking advantage of the less expensive drugs available from Canada. Just passing those savings along to consumers would do more to make prescription meds affordable to the elderly and everyone else, than Bush's Medicare bill will do. But it can't be allowed to happen. It would loosen the grip that U.S.l manufacturers have on the system.