What do you get when you combine the medical/insurance systems and a patient that has been through the wringer with these industries in the past and has been experiencing symptoms of irritability, agitation, depression, moodiness, drained energy, and achy, frail bones, among other things, for a long time? Me! I’ll quickly admit that I am a disgruntled patient that feels fucked over by the system, wondering if I will ever feel “normal” again, if anyone really cares, and can’t wait to chew someone out over the shit I’ve been through because now I’m going through it all over again…
…and then I go to my doctor’s appointment today and realize that the people working in health care go through just as much shit as I do thanks to “the system.” It sucks for everybody, so ranting to the people that must work within the system to at least try and do their jobs is hurtful to them and useless. Boo-yah on me. Instead, I found out today that if you rant with them, everybody feels better. Try it sometime; it’s a great ice-breaker. Usually, the doctor or nurse you are with will gladly acknowledge that health care and insurance policies suck balls and make life harder for everyone.
I was going to rant here about my fantastic journey of navigating through medical “red tape” last week while trying to obtain permission for some tests in preparation for my appointment today, but I’m actually glad I didn’t publish the long entry I had written to near-completion last night. What happened this morning trumps that. It actually makes for a more interesting and (somehow) happier ending, too, so stick with me.
I visited my doctor this morning due to some concerns about why I have low bone density, as indicated by free scans I had taken at the ankle this year and last. For someone my age (27), concerns about osteopenia and osteoporosis are not common, so when I saw that I not only had low bone density, but a decline in bone density between this year and last, I wanted this shit checked out. This doesn’t happen to people my age without good reason. Note: A bone density scan taken at the ankle is not a 100% indicator of something wrong, but it is a nice ballpark figure. That’s why it’s offered as a free screening at health fairs, etc. My doctor ordered a DEXA scan, which measures bone density more accurately and throughout the body, not just at one point. She also ordered blood tests for my levels of blood calcium and vitamin D. High levels of calcium in the blood may be indicative of a hyperactive parathyroid and low vitamin D inhibits absorption of calcium in the body – both possible causes as to why my bone density is so low. Once my doctor ordered the tests, I was sent on my merry way.
One nice thing about the clinic I go to is that they have a blood analysis office and a radiology department in-house. This meant I could do both of my tests quickly, one after the other. I opted for the blood draw first. I wanted that shit overwith ASAP. Whenever I need my blood drawn, I have a flashback to four years ago when I stupidly let a medical student with novice phlebotomy skills take my blood. He dug and dug through my arm for a vein until he finally drew just enough for a vial. Even thinking about the pain makes my arm cry. That nightmare has been only slightly quelled by two (now three) rather painless draws since.
I figured that once my blood was taken, the hard part was over. Not this time. Quite suddenly, I didn’t feel so great.
“Whoa…I’m feeling really lightheaded. And dizzy.”
The phlebotomist perceptively asked, “Do you want some candy for blood sugar?”
“Sure. And could I get some water? I think I may be dehydrated.” True, I hadn’t had much to drink prior to my appointment, and all I did for breakfast was a cup of applesauce.
The phlebotomist, a pretty and petite lady with curled brown hair, handed me a pack of Skittles. “Here, eat these, and I’ll get you a cup of water.”
I remember tearing open the pack of Skittles. The next thing I remember, I felt like I was dreaming in the midst of a peaceful slumber. Insert Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” into the soundtrack.
“Can you hear me?” said the dark.
I opened my eyes. “Hello.” The phlebotomist and one of her co-workers was holding me up. I came to quickly and realized I had passed out.
“You scared the heck out of us.”
“How long was I out?”
“Five minutes,” said the other phlebotomist, an older lady with curly gray hair. “You had a seizure.”
“I did?” I asked in disbelief. I haven’t had a seizure since I was four years old.
“How do you feel?”
“I think I’d like to lay down.” I was still feeling nauseous.
I learned in the time that I spent laying down with a washcloth on my head that it isn’t uncommon for people to pass out when blood is drawn. It happens semi-regularly. A seizure, on the other hand, is obviously not as regular of an occurrence and certainly not a good thing.
Eventually, I felt good enough to sit up, so the older phlebotomist wheeled me over to the radiology office for my DEXA scan. That done, my husband picked me up and I’ve been laying on the couch since. Results from the tests should be in by the end of the week.
It’s been a few hours since the ordeal, and yes, I am feeling much better. But that’s not entirely the happy ending I promised. Let me leave off with saying that karma was at work today. My frustration with the medical system (bad karma) was alleviated by the understanding and good nature of the staff at the doctor’s office (good karma). The fact that I passed out sucked (bad karma), but at the same time, I was well taken care of by two incredibly nice and considerate ladies that made sure I was safe and as well as I could be at the time (good karma). I guess the moral of this story is that as much as I hate the health care system, the people working in it needn’t necessarily be stockpiled into the bad reputation the industry has earned as a whole. There’s still good people out there that do their jobs because they genuinely like to help people. So try not to get riled up when you deal with the shitty end of things. This is a new goal of mine where the topic of medical care is concerned. You’ll get yours, and so does everyone else. The universe balances as it should.
