Re: last minute change!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/20/2004 9:36:23 AM Central Standard Time, iron43man04@... writes:

Instead of being at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, it's been moved earlier to 6:15 a.m.!

_____

I was originally scheduled to be at the hospital a half hour from here by 6 AM. Since I obviously needed to be driven and live alone, it was really something having to ask my friends to get up at.....like 4:30 (they're half an hour away too) to drive me there.

y

[Guest guest]

Bonjour

I'm an American, and there are many things that I love about America,

but it's approach to medical care is not one of them.

According to what I've read, and I've read a lot, it seems quite

common for Americans to have to go in extremely early, all stressed

out and through heavy traffic, often some distance, ON THE SAME DAY OF

THEIR OPERATION.

I know the reason--cost! American insurance company's don't want to

pay the five-star hotel prices (or more) that American hospitals are

allowed to charge.

I don't regret having had my operation in France--the land that some

Americans find the need to bash.

I was scheduled, based on the first letter of my last name, to check

into the clinic at 3 PM the afternoon before my operaton (which

occurred at 2 PM the next day).

Check-in was a leisurely and stressless activity. I then was taken to

my room, explained things like how the lock box for my valuables

works, etc., and told to relax. A bit later I was taken to other rooms

for various tests.

At 6 PM dinner was brought to my room, which I ate on a balcony that

had a view of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal Riviera town of

Nice, France.

I was able to relax most of the evening, only occasionally interrupted

by nurses and doctors.

I was able to eat a small breakfast, and then relaxed in my room until

the important hour of 2 PM. At 2:30 PM, I was finally wheeled out, MP3

player emitting sounds into my ears.

A much different process from what I've read about takes place in the

U.S.

I must point out that the operation costs two to three times more in

the US, where medicine is big business and doctors are businessmen,

than it does in France, where doctors and hospitals don't have the

freedom to exploit the public.

France, according the that Commie-front organization, the UN, is rated

at the top in the world for medical care. As Americans, of course, we

refuse to believe things like that, especially if the source is the

UN.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing America. I am merely criticizing

the often-criticized American health care situation.

I know that criticism of things American is tantamount to being

unpatriotic.

If that's what you think, that's not my problem. However, I believe

that you should have the freedom to express what you want about my

beliefs even if you don't allow me the same!!

Years ago, before I defected to Western Europe, I taught

university-level economics in California (Oh, oh. Another pinko prof

from Californica). I used to show a CBS documentary entitled, " Don't

get sick in America. "

It was about a Dutch family that had immigrated to the US to work and

live the rest of their lives. Their dream was shattered, however. They

had to return to the Netherlands because, as the title implied, they

could not afford to be sick in America. The documentary, as I said,

was prepaired by the " liberal news media, " the private enterprise

company called CBS.

European countries, such as The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and

France, have long felt that adequate health care at reasonable prices

was the responsibility of elected officials to ensure.

Doctor's unions in the US, such as the American Medical Association,

have been quite effect in convincing the American populace that if

something is " social " it must be " evil. "

I detest the expression, " people get what they deserve. " I frankly

think that Americans deserve better than they are getting, especially

when they tend to believe that theirs is always the best..

Oh, oh! Have I opened a can of worms? If so, let's go fishing, as did

Herbert Hoover while the American economy was crashing.

Herbert Hoover? What's he got to do with Total Hip Replacement?

All things considered,

Peace, if possible

Staninfrance

> The Dr's office called. Instead of being at the hospital at 9:30

> a.m. tomorrow, it's been moved earlier to 6:15 a.m.! Since it's a

> two hour drive, I won't be getting any sleep tonight - afraid I

won't

> wake up in time. MAybe I'll nap this afternoon. Best wishes again

to

> Margaret on her same day surgery.

> Alan (in NY)

[Guest guest]

> Bonjour

>

> I'm an American, and there are many things that I love about

America,

> but it's approach to medical care is not one of them.

>

> According to what I've read, and I've read a lot, it seems quite

> common for Americans to have to go in extremely early, all stressed

> out and through heavy traffic, often some distance, ON THE SAME DAY

OF

> THEIR OPERATION.

>

Stan:

I am in agreement about the health care system in the US. I am on

email lists with people all over the world and am really envious of

the health care and aging care available in other parts of the world.

My plan is a not for profit health cooperative and I'm generally

satisfied with the care. Other than breaking my leg 9 years ago, I've

been fairly healthy until the knee problem cropped up.

Your stay sounds a lot more comfortable than what we have in the US.

Carolyn

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan,

I wish you the best of luck for your operation . How come you have to drive two hours I lived about a half hour from the hospital I remember I had to be their at 6:00am and they couldn't get me in untill 10:00 am Well I hope everything works out for you.

Susieiron43man04 <iron43man04@...> wrote:

The Dr's office called. Instead of being at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, it's been moved earlier to 6:15 a.m.! Since it's a two hour drive, I won't be getting any sleep tonight - afraid I won't wake up in time. MAybe I'll nap this afternoon. Best wishes again to Margaret on her same day surgery.Alan (in NY)