How Being Frugal almost Killed Me....Seriously.

[bluesdog]

"We may pay high taxes, but living in a truly 1st world country with free and equal medical care for all makes it worth it."
Guess that explains the large number of your countrymen who use our hospitals for cardiac, cancer and joint replacement procedures.

AFAIK, that has more to do with wait times for different types of surgery, and of availability of certain medical procedures and technology.

I doubt it has much to do with the different health-care systems, per se. Both countries are, imo, 1st world, however there are advantages and disadvantages along with the differences.

BTW, the point I was trying to make in post #9 was that availability of health care is meaningless without self-care.

A few years ago, I paid attention to a mole on my chest, and took action. The resulting surgery and ongoing medication certainly saved my life, but taking responsibility for my well-being was the most important step.

 

[MadRussian]

Mine bursted in the middle of surgery to get it out.

Doctor said if it happened at home, I would of been dead.

Two days later I was home, feeling 90%, but couldn't do a lot of physical stuff.

Took a few weeks before I was 100% and could play hockey again.

 

[majicmaker]

Glad you're back, Steve. Identical story to mine. I was 15 in high school. On Fridays they always served fish fillet sandwiches for lunch. The pain was immediate. Though they gave my a bad fillet. I was buckled over in excruciating pain for two days. Mom didn't know what to do. She told a co-worker about my symptoms and her friend said: It's his appendix! Get that kid to the hospital, NOW! The doctor said it was ready to blow. I'll never forget that, Ever!!

 

[garyahouse]

Glad we didn't lose you my friend.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[TomInPA]

Hope the insurance works out, and glad you got taken care of. It's encouraging you wrote the opening post of this thread, too many wives are writing on behalf of their injured and critically ill husbands these days.

Dumb ***!

There I feel better now.

 

[TripperMike]

As the others have said, glad you're feeling well enough to post this thread.

I'm kinda like you, cheap and stubborn. Not being one to rush off to the Doc's office for everything that might ail me.

BUT with that said, with the symptoms you had, I woulda gone in after the first day. Experience

Christmas get togethers for my side of the family always seem rather eventful. On one of those occassions, we found my older brother (early 30's) curled around the base of a toilet almost passed out from the pain. His appendix burst during the operation. He recovered well enough, but it was a close call.

You know for an organ that serves no useful purpose, it sure can wreak havoc when it goes on the fritz.

Heal well.

 

[Old Michael]

Claim you're in the country illegally.

Guess that explains the large number of your countrymen who use our hospitals for cardiac, cancer and joint replacement procedures.

Oh, ******* PLEASE.

...Glad you're okay, LKLD.

 

[numb41]

Whew! That sounded like a 'too close' call. Aint that the way it goes, you never seen a doc for, how long, seven years? One stinking month off of a plan and now you need one! I thought i was the only one that kind of crap happens to. It does make my story pretty lame. Two weeks ago, I went to pick up my '05 fjr and ruined the engine on my pickup. It's gonna cost me more to fix the pickup than what i paid for the bike.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Oh, ******* PLEASE.

You are welcome.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Glad you're still with us LKLD, great post and reminder to all of us.

When it comes to listening to our bodies, men aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer...me included!

--G

 

[07FJRVegas]

What a story ... wow! Not that any time is good for a critical health issue but it sure picked an extra difficult time for the finances. Kudos to your wife and the health care workers for fixing you up. Can't spend money if it went the other way ... glad you will ride a bunch more days.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Jeeze...And I thought I was the only one God hates. Lol...Kidding. Glad you're ok. Lost my appendix when I was 13.

 

[erixun]

Heal well. And just make $10 payments for the next 150 years.

I was in the stubborn corner for a lot of years myself, then I had a gal bladder experience and learned. The older I get I figure I am not a whiner if I go see a doc for serious pains or something that is 'just not right'. I just never wanted to be one of those that goes to the ER for a sniffle, and chose to just stick it out and deal with it. But things like this make me think twice about it and figure it's just not worth it. And besides I dont give a rats @$$ what they think of me anymore.

 

[MEM]

"We may pay high taxes, but living in a truly 1st world country with free and equal medical care for all makes it worth it."Guess that explains the large number of your countrymen who use our hospitals for cardiac, cancer and joint replacement procedures.

Wow. I've not heard of this going on; India, maybe, but the US? Not for us mere mortals.
Why would someone throw well north of $75,000 for a knee replacement he/she could get here for a big fat zero? :blink: Shorter wait times? I'm not looking for an argument but I'm going to venture a guess the US has shorter wait times because so many people who need joint replacement simply can't afford it so the queues aren't as full.

I've known people ( generally, wealthy or key executives of big corporations) who have ventured down to the Mayo clinic for a diagnosis or annual check-up; spend a long weekend and a few thousand dollars for a thorough work-up. A few years ago, a former multi-millionaire premier of Newfoundland chose to have cardiac surgery in Miami but I assure you, that's an exception.

I'm sorry the OP had a horrendous experience. Our own healthcare system seems poised to implode but it's holding its own, and it's unthinkable that a Canadian - OR American - could die from a ruptured appendix because of lack of financial means.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Guess that explains the large number of your countrymen who use our hospitals for cardiac, cancer and joint replacement procedures.

Can you define "large" because I have heard these rumors for years but those making the claims have never been able to provide a single name of a Canadian who has crossed the border solely to receive one of the treatments you mentioned unless they were cash customers (and there can't be very many of those considering the cost of medical care for anyone who does not have medical insurance). Our public hospitals are required to provide emergency services to everyone irregardless of the ability to pay but I'm having a hard time believing that any US hospital would allow a Canadian to "check in" and receive the very expensive procedures you describe unless that person could demonstrate the ability to pay for those procedures.

In the mean time, I hope the OP can make a quick recovery, both physically and financially, and continue to entertain us with his trip reports.....and thanks for the reminder to all of us how important it is to have adequate insurance all the time.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Glad you are ok now LKLD!

Wishes for a quick recovery!

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'd much rather keep this topic about the OPs good fortune and not decide which country's health system is better.

Get well soon...

 

[Uncle Hud]

Close call, but a good outcome. Glad you were repaired; sorry it wasn't under warranty.

 

[MrM0t0]

I've felt your pain. At age 6. Met the doc many years later and he remembered my case. Said it was the worst he'd ever seen. You're lucky to be alive.

You have 8 left. Use them wisely.

 

[YummYam]

Glad you're back, Steve.

Err.......Vic, it was the other guy.....Rob.

LMAO.

What a harrowing tale Rob. So glad we will be riding together again.