OMG I got sick in America.

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techs

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,559
4
0
Just thought I'd let you know my personal experiences.

A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with kidney cancer that spread to my spine.
Due to the extensive spreading to the spine they had to go in and after removing the cancer they had to do ten, yes ten, spinal fusions to hold my spine together. On an x-ray my back looks like a hardware store.

Afterwards they sent me from the big medical center where I had the surgery to a smaller hospital that has a special "rehab" wing. So, after about 6 weeks there I can walk using a walker and got discharged.

Since my discharge I have been given a RN to oversee my daily stuff. I was given an Occupationial and an Physical therapist. I have had appointments made and transportation arranged to various follow up medical appointments.

All I needed to do was was show my state health insurance card and everything got done. No questions asked.

Health care in America really works. Depending where you live.
 
ThatsABigOne

ThatsABigOne

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,422
23
81
techs said:
Just thought I'd let you know my personal experiences.

A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with kidney cancer that spread to my spine.
Due to the extensive spreading to the spine they had to go in and after removing the cancer they had to do ten, yes ten, spinal fusions to hold my spine together. On an x-ray my back looks like a hardware store.

Afterwards they sent me from the big medical center where I had the surgery to a smaller hospital that has a special "rehab" wing. So, after about 6 weeks there I can walk using a walker and got discharged.

Since my discharge I have been given a RN to oversee my daily stuff. I was given an Occupationial and an Physical therapist. I have had appointments made and transportation arranged to various follow up medical appointments.

All I needed to do was was show my state health insurance card and everything got done. No questions asked.

Health care in America really works. Depending where you live.
Click to expand...

Hey, glad that recovery is going good for you. I am also a kidney cancer survivor(right kidney removed at age of 2) and feel grateful that modern medicine helps many people.
 
UglyCasanova

UglyCasanova

Lifer
Mar 25, 2001
19,275
1,361
126
Wow, that's horrible. I hope the worst is over and I wish you the best with your recovery.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,867
11,213
126
Best of luck on your continued recovery. As far as health care in America working... Everything works until it doesn't. You just gotta be in the right place at the right time, under the right conditions.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
71,261
14,061
126
www.anyf.ca
Ouch that sucks, get well soon.

Hopefully the bill wont be too bad... that's the part about the US system that's not that pretty.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
35,351
2,479
126
Damn, dude. I'm glad you're pulling through it. Be strong, listen to your doctor, and focus on feeling better.
 
C

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
It sounds like you're winning the battle. Great to hear!

My father in law was in a very serious car accident decades ago, and ended up with an entire hardware store in his back. They initially told him he'd never walk again. To this day, I don't thing I've seen this guy stop, ever. Even when they went in a few years ago and replaced several discs with silicone over the course of two risky surgeries, he was back up and moving (against advice) within days.

My point is, keep a positive outlook and never let odds or nay-say keep you from doing what you know you can do. Best of luck, get well soon. :)
 
Zodiark1593

Zodiark1593

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2012
2,230
4
81
techs said:
Health care in America really works. Depending where you live.
Click to expand...
This is the big one right here. A year ago, my mom got a blood transfusion at a hospital down in Sacramento due to apparent anemia, but the doctors flat out refused to look any further into what was going on and gave us a 10K bill. Now, we're living in Placerville, my mom goes into the hospital for similar symptoms, instead of a blood transfusion, she got a colonoscopy two days later, she was diagnosed with early stage 3 colon cancer. Had surgery the next day, and is expected to make a full recovery once chemo is done.

Night and day right there, and in the same state to boot. She didn't even have insurance and the doctor still went forward with treatment, though she got approved for Medical a few days ago, and will pay the hospital expenses and treatment.

Not only that, between the two hospitals, the demeanor of the staff was vastly different. While in Placerville, the staff was quite lively and cheerful, back in Sacramento, it seemed like many of their staff loathed their own existence, and in general, heavily overworked. From my viewpoint, seems that lack of overall efficiency in heavily populated areas is the biggest failing of our healthcare system. A constant, never-ending stream of randoms in the ER all demanding attention, many of whom suffer from little more than a superficial wound or the common cold. Quite the thorny problem this is.
 
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Slew Foot

Slew Foot

Lifer
Sep 22, 2005
12,379
96
86
Zodiark1593 said:
This is the big one right here. A year ago, my mom got a blood transfusion at a hospital down in Sacramento due to apparent anemia, but the doctors flat out refused to look any further into what was going on and gave us a 10K bill. Now, we're living in Placerville, my mom goes into the hospital for similar symptoms, instead of a blood transfusion, she got a colonoscopy two days later, she was diagnosed with early stage 3 colon cancer. Had surgery the next day, and is expected to make a full recovery once chemo is done.

Night and day right there, and in the same state to boot. She didn't even have insurance and the doctor still went forward with treatment, though she got approved for Medical a few days ago, and will pay the hospital expenses and treatment.

Not only that, between the two hospitals, the demeanor of the staff was vastly different. While in Placerville, the staff was quite lively and cheerful, back in Sacramento, it seemed like many of their staff loathed their own existence, and in general, heavily overworked. Seems that lack of overall efficiency in heavily populated areas drives down quality of healthcare for everyone involved.
Click to expand...

I used to work at UC Davis, which hospital in Sac did she go to?
 
T

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,954
577
126
I'm on Medicare and I have no complaints at all about the system, the docs I see, access to specialists, or anything else. And yes, I've been using the system quite a bit, its why I'm on Medicare.
 
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highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,340
136
lxskllr said:
Best of luck on your continued recovery. As far as health care in America working... Everything works until it doesn't. You just gotta be in the right place at the right time, under the right conditions.
Click to expand...
This on both counts.
 
manimal

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
Glad you let us know how your doing man ! Keep good copies of all your bills and document everything in case the insurance comes back with denials. Will save you hundreds of hours if they start to question.


A good friend had a simila surgury about ten years ago and he didn't do his therapy and lost range of motion and had to have scar tissue removed. Work trough the pain brother ! Stay strong and fight !

In all serious as well consider doing 20 minutes of chi gung every day when you can stand.
 
E

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,612
3,834
126
Glad to hear you have been discharged. I hope things continue to get better for you and wish you the best of luck with your recovery!
 
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