COVID

How are you feeling this morning @KFdancer ? 

Like I've been through many rounds in a boxing ring with a very successful boxer.  LOL   

Still been coughing quite a bit though a very different cough now.  It's just SUCH a weird feeling now in my abdomen as my right side starts to work again.

I may take a bath in a bit as for the first time in a long time that sounds like something I would really enjoy.  I was able to sleep on my normal left side (only  way I've been able to sleep for a long time now), as well as my back.  I laid on my right side for a bit but wasn't as comfortable as my left so need to give that a big more time.  Haven't tried my tummy yet. 

Will be interesting to find out the cause - No one is suspecting cancer or heart failure which are the two most common causes.  I won't know for two weeks so I am putting it right to the back of my head and hopefully just going to enjoy feeling better in the time being.

 

Or have medicare. With a $20 copay. 

And In 2020, 8.6 percent of people, or 28.0 million, did not have health insurance at any point during the year.
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-274.html

In 2019 Gallup found that 25% of U.S. adults said they or a family member had delayed treatment for a serious medical condition during the year because of cost, up from 12% in 2003 and 19% in 2015. For any condition, 33% reported delaying treatment, up from 24% in 2003 and 31% in 2015. 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/269138/americans-delaying-medical-treatment-due-cost.aspx

A good friend of mine, about 2-3 months ago, went to his GP with a cough that wasn't going away   She sent him to A&E and he was immediately admitted, the fluid removed from his lungs and then diagnosed with lung cancer. All within 2 days.   So like anything in the NHS, it depends on where you are.
(He was extremely fit and healthy, danced and ran 10ks, never smoked. But even then, it's not like anyone who smokes asks for lung cancer. Smoking is hugely addictive).  He's been in and out of hospital 3 times in the last month. He's had 3L of fluid removed from his lungs.   And of course, not a single payment due from him at point of care. He's not going to lose his house because of cancer medical debt. 

Like I've been through many rounds in a boxing ring with a very successful boxer.  LOL   

Awww,  rest up!!!!  Hopefully ready to fight the boxer back very quickly!

And In 2020, 8.6 percent of people, or 28.0 million, did not have health insurance at any point during the year.
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-274.html

In 2019 Gallup found that 25% of U.S. adults said they or a family member had delayed treatment for a serious medical condition during the year because of cost, up from 12% in 2003 and 19% in 2015. For any condition, 33% reported delaying treatment, up from 24% in 2003 and 31% in 2015. 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/269138/americans-delaying-medical-treatment-due-cost.aspx

A good friend of mine, about 2-3 months ago, went to his GP with a cough that wasn't going away   She sent him to A&E and he was immediately admitted, the fluid removed from his lungs and then diagnosed with lung cancer. All within 2 days.   So like anything in the NHS, it depends on where you are.
(He was extremely fit and healthy, danced and ran 10ks, never smoked. But even then, it's not like anyone who smokes asks for lung cancer. Smoking is hugely addictive).  He's been in and out of hospital 3 times in the last month. He's had 3L of fluid removed from his lungs.   And of course, not a single payment due from him at point of care. He's not going to lose his house because of cancer medical debt. 

My dad kept telling my mom to get a spot on her leg check and she went and it's a Squamous cell skin carcinoma.  Had it removed/biopsied by the Physicians Assistant.  Was booked in for a Mohs surgery in September as they didn't have margins.  Started to get nasty again July, just before we all went out.  Her PA removed a lot more and said they'd get her Mohs surgery moved up since it's very aggressive.  It's never been moved. 

I know it's unlikely to die from skin cancer but it's obviously very aggressive and changes everyday.  Thank goodness it's either next week or the week after that she finally gets it OFF. 

****New Story***

A few years ago a friend of mine who I danced with growing up was diagnosed with cancer (I never have been sure of the type).  Her insurance company denied treatment.  HER INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED CANCER TREATMENT.  Friends set up a Go Fund Me page and raised several hundred thousand dollars.  My mom said to me, "This is just awful.  She works and has insurance, she should get treatment."  Enter me climbing on my soap box saying it didn't matter that she works and has insurance, EVERYONE should be given cancer treatment (if they so choose). 

Anyways, she didn't last long.  Diagnosed in May and died in November.  Made the choice to stop treatment in September as she was so ill and wanted to spend her last bit of time with her husband and (then) 9 year old. 

One could argue that the insurance company was "right" in denying treatment as it was so aggressive.  But her story has forever changed my view on US Medical care.  And on the warped perception that "if you work, you should have treatment" in the USA.  For all it's faults, for all the taxes it costs all of us, I'm so glad anyone can get treatment.

Both systems are broken.  No denying it.  And the best one will vary for person to person.  Not everyone will have the best NHS experience.  Not everyone will have the best USA experience. 

That being said, I am one happy bunny to not have an extra fluid of liquid just hanging out in my chest this morning.   

Oh that's so worrying for your Mom (and your family), KFDancer.

And 100% on your friend -everyone should get cancer treatment and options. Even if it's the best in palliative care. Very sorry 

Both systems are broken.  No denying it.  And the best one will vary for person to person.  Not everyone will have the best NHS experience.  Not everyone will have the best USA experience. 

Definitely.  There are some truly amazing health care systems out there though.  Germany, France, Japan, Sweden spring to mind!  These are some good models to go after.

And In 2020, 8.6 percent of people, or 28.0 million, did not have health insurance at any point during the year.
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-274.html

In 2019 Gallup found that 25% of U.S. adults said they or a family member had delayed treatment for a serious medical condition during the year because of cost, up from 12% in 2003 and 19% in 2015. For any condition, 33% reported delaying treatment, up from 24% in 2003 and 31% in 2015. 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/269138/americans-delaying-medical-treatment-due-cost.aspx

A good friend of mine, about 2-3 months ago, went to his GP with a cough that wasn't going away   She sent him to A&E and he was immediately admitted, the fluid removed from his lungs and then diagnosed with lung cancer. All within 2 days.   So like anything in the NHS, it depends on where you are.
(He was extremely fit and healthy, danced and ran 10ks, never smoked. But even then, it's not like anyone who smokes asks for lung cancer. Smoking is hugely addictive).  He's been in and out of hospital 3 times in the last month. He's had 3L of fluid removed from his lungs.   And of course, not a single payment due from him at point of care. He's not going to lose his house because of cancer medical debt.

Yeah, not sure where you're going with this.  Medicare is great (or has been for me, so far). I have to manage my own care, but once booked into a service I have gotten excellent care.

Prior to that I was at the mercy of the US medical system, and before that the state system for the indigent. I can tell you horror stories about both that would shock. The Daughter worked in the medical system and could go further - having to talk to people she knew were going to die because they had the wrong kind of insurance, and explain being denied service unless they could pay (etc.).

Then again, with the NHS you can get denied for care. Or not have it offered care because the best treatment is too expensive. Both types of systems look at the overall cost bottom line. They have to or they would be completely unsustainable. 

The people of the UK look at healthcare as a basic human right. In the USA it's business. The people in the UK decided they wanted a centralized system that at least offered basic care for everyone. The people of the USA have not.

It's like comparing apples and oranges, really. Both have worms, though.

And thank goodness for this "Go Fund Me" ap. I know a number of people who certainly could have benefited from it, years ago, but had nothing.

Like I've been through many rounds in a boxing ring with a very successful boxer.  LOL   

Still been coughing quite a bit though a very different cough now.  It's just SUCH a weird feeling now in my abdomen as my right side starts to work again.

I may take a bath in a bit as for the first time in a long time that sounds like something I would really enjoy.  I was able to sleep on my normal left side (only  way I've been able to sleep for a long time now), as well as my back.  I laid on my right side for a bit but wasn't as comfortable as my left so need to give that a big more time.  Haven't tried my tummy yet. 

Will be interesting to find out the cause - No one is suspecting cancer or heart failure which are the two most common causes.  I won't know for two weeks so I am putting it right to the back of my head and hopefully just going to enjoy feeling better in the time being.

Good for you! Just keep getting better and take it easy!   

Yeah, not sure where you're going with this. 

Maybe pulled the wrong thing to quote, sorry for the confusion.
Sounds like Medicare is working for you and you're getting great care with it and  It's not always the case and historically, thinking back to my indigent Nana 25 years ago, absolutely horrific care.   

It's just that healthcare in the USA can be excellent, but it can be absolutely horrific.   'In the USA, X, Y, Z healthcare would have happened'  is not a given for anyone.   It may happen because someone has Medicare and has navigated it successfully. It may happen because someone has good health insurance. 
It may not because the hospital is a VA hospital and they're rationing care too. If you don't have insurance or can't cover the cost, you may not even initiate the visit to the doctor or hospital until its too late. 

You can take Type 1 Diabetes, which without proper care can be life threatening and needs constant monitoring,  review, vigilance.  But in the US, for a variety of reasons there are only about 1,000 board-certified endocrinologists to serve 6,000 US hospitals. In rural areas, less than 20% of pediatric patients can access an endo within 50 miles from home and 85 % of diabetes care is performed by health care providers other than Endocrinologists (e.g., primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners). And for those who can access them, the ratio is 370 patients to 1 endo.  This is before you even bring the cost of insulin, supplies, health insurance, etc into the mix. And worse for adults who don't have the (now in place, finally) Medicare caps of $35/month for insulin. Insulin can cost $25-$300 per vial for basic insulin, not top of the line, and a person may need up to 6 bottles a month. The the supplies, etc.  Insulin is life saving medicine and if rationed, which many folks do, can lead to devastating results. 

In the NHS, a person with Type 1 has access to Diabetes consultants and Diabetes Specialist Nurses on a regular and routine basis (in person or over the phone/telemedicine, etc).  A person may have to fight with the NHS to get the latest and greatest in devices such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, but they will always  be able to access blood glucose testing supplies and have insulin.  And in places where the NHS charges a prescription cost, if you have Type 1, you get all your Rx 's for free.

Okay, on the flip side, people can access weight loss surgery, STEM cell research, care for certain genetic conditions ,latest and greatest cancer treatments, state of the art medicines, etc, etc much easier in the USA. 

So as you say

It's like comparing apples and oranges, really. Both have worms, though.

Type 1 diabetes. It killed my auntie. Have you followed the "cost of insulin" fiasco over here? Insulin can run from like $50 a vial into the several hundreds (I've seen stats claiming $1,0000), depending on which variety your body accepts.  BiIden had tried to have a cap of $35 a month put on it in his recent legislation. The Republicans shot that down. People are rationing insulin because they can't afford it, and people are dying because of that who should not be. It's just horrifying. Back when they thought The Daughter had diabetes (and almost killed her treating it) the glucose monitoring equipment companies would pretty much give you a meter free. But then ~really~ stick it to you with the cost of the test strips. One company had made a deal with her university (she was pretty reliant on student health) to where they would only provide one brand of meter - with some of the most expensive test strips going, and that were not paid by her student insurance.

And yeah, Medicare can be great (it will pay for pretty much anything a doctor deems medically necessary). But you have to be your own social worker. I've had some false starts and done some serious raging over the phone, but eventually got what I needed. It's entirely dependent on the doctor you see, though since they are all basically independent businesses. Picking a good one - and then hoping they're accepting new patients - is incredibly time-consuming and frustrating. But necessary. Medicaid (old-age or impoverished) varies wildly. The Daughter is temporarily using medicaid while she looks for full-time work. In this state it's pretty darned good, I have to say. I'm actually impressed - tele-medicine, prescriptions for under $10 or free, follow-up phone calls to make sure she's doing ok.... Nice. We've lived in other states where we had to use it (both of us) and it was pretty much useless. It's all, pretty much realistically, up to each state as in how they want to manage the program. I just thank our stars we don't have to live in the south anymore. Speaking of 3rd world....

As far as Medicare - it helps if you have advanced degrees in governmental services. Definitely. Or are good at navigating systems. I do worry about the day (and it will come) when I am not mentally alert enough to manage it all. The Daughter is a good kid, and dutiful, but she doesn't have the kind of mind it takes to "work" governmental systems. (She's an artist at the base of all.) She'll do what she can, but there will be problems.

The VA. I am working now with service veterans. The things they tell me make me just want to cry, some days.

Happy to hear you are doing better KFD!

So far I don’t feel as sore as yesterday but sadly we are cancelling our trip.  My consultant called yesterday and still didn’t have my CT scan and said there is just so much unknown. She doesn’t know how fast the fluid will return until they know what’s causing it.

Needless to say being “stuck” on a cruise ship and either needing to be medivac-ed out or having to seek medical care in Norway (exceptional, but doesn’t scream holiday), would not be fun.

Hopefully we will be able to travel Oct 1 to NYC. No fly orders for me at the moment. We are going to have a nose and see if anything nearby looks good for a few nights this week.

So far I don’t feel as sore as yesterday but sadly we are cancelling our trip.  My consultant called yesterday and still didn’t have my CT scan and said there is just so much unknown. She doesn’t know how fast the fluid will return until they know what’s causing it.

Needless to say being “stuck” on a cruise ship and either needing to be medivac-ed out or having to seek medical care in Norway (exceptional, but doesn’t scream holiday), would by fun.

Hopefully we will be able to travel Oct 1 to NYC. No fly orders for me at the moment. We are going to have a nose and see if anything nearby looks good for a few nights this week.

You must feel relieved now you've come to this decision.   
I know you'll find a great alternative, your holidays are always amazing!
Everything crossed that you're declared fit to fly by October.

Gutted for you, but all makes sense. Hopefully you continue to feel better and better

The great thing about my kids if we go for a ride on a double decker bus, they’ll think they won the lottery