(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 11, 2023
June 18, 2021
Dr Merry-Go-Round
He mentioned that no doctor wants to take responsibility for the patient anymore.
Maybe that's why they punt to other doctors and have big medical malpractice insurance.
But he said something really interesting...
"You wind up going on doctor merry-go-round until you [actually] find someone willing to help..."
One doctor sends you to another doctor and this one sends you to that specialist and it goes on and on.
Sometimes they just can't figure out what's wrong.
Usually comes across as trial-and-error or a process of elimination.
But then if they don't want to deal with you or don't know what's wrong or how to treat they pass you off to the next doctor and so on, and so on.
I suppose to a certain extent it makes sense because medicine like many technical fields is very specialized now-a-days.
But how much is it the specialization stuff and how much is it that they just don't want to deal with the hard stuff or don't want the liability.
Dr. Merry-Go-Round takes you on a very nauseous ride and makes it tough sometimes to get the care you need. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Dr Merry-Go-Round
January 1, 2021
Horrors in U.S. Healthcare
But I am hearing that Covid is spiraling around just about every family that I know now.
The new most contagious Covid variant is in at least 3 states, but I would suspect it's in all of them by now. We'll find that out way after the fact.
G-d only knows whether the Covid vaccines will work on the mutated Coronavirus and how this will impact the runaway pandemic. Will it be back to the Vaccine drawing board?
While many healthcare workers have been extraordinary during these difficult times, I've been appalled at some recent cases of horrible care.
Example 1:
Went to CVS Minute Clinic, they gave me some antibiotics, but said go this afternoon for a Covid test, which I had already booked prior at another CVS location that does the tests.
I drive 10 miles sick to go there, and when I arrive they tell me, they don't have my appointment anymore even though I show them "black and white" my confirmation! "The system must've kicked you out because you were at another CVS earlier in the day." I said, I need to be tested, and they were adamant that there was nothing they could do. Their completely incompetent store manager told me to call and make another appointment for another day. I said, I waited two days for this appointment, drove ten miles, and waited a long time on line. He said, that's too bad and I should call the 800 number if I wasn't happy. I said, it's your mistake, so you call the 800 number. I told him I wasn't leaving the line until they resolved this. The manager was a rude SOB, but finally one of the pharmacists said the nurse can put me back in the system and they would in fact see me.
Well, lo and behold, a day passes, and I get a call the test didn't work. Make another appointment. Ok, now I really have no choice. I go to another CVS, this one was actually much better and gave comprehensive instructions on how to take the Covid test. So much for good CVS and bad CVS!
Example 2:
Someone else in my family was sick and also goes to the CVS Minute Clinic. They give her not much more than Tylenol. But tell her to make another appointment to take care of her ear. She makes an appointment, and I take her to yet another CVS location the next day. Well guess what, the Physician's Assistant refuses to treat her ear. He sits us down and tells us that he has a wife and kids at home and doesn't want to possibly get Covid since she was at the Minute Clinic the day before. I explain that all they gave her was Tylenol. He says, "Anything can be Covid! And I'm not going to go in the room to clean out the ear for maybe 20 to 30 minutes." Well then why in the hell did this guy go into the medical profession?
Example 3:
I contact another pharmaceutical outlook (not CVS) for a prescription. They quote me $2,500 dollars. I say "That's 10 tens what they usually charge me so there must be a typo." Oh no, that's the price for the branded drug. Maybe you meant the generic which is only $250! Same drug but ten times the price!
I'm sorry folks our healthcare system in the U.S. is very broken indeed. By calling attention to these things, I hope to bring positive change for all our sakes. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Horrors in U.S. Healthcare
April 27, 2020
The Doctor Is Out!
I just heard this morning from a relative about family members that can't get shots they need for pain control or surgeries for breathing problems.
Everything now is COVID-19.
That's the priority (maybe all of the top ten priorities)!
But does it really make sense to completely triage COVID-19 above Cancer, Heart Disease, Respiratory Disease, Strokes, Alzheimers, Diabetes, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, Parkinson's, and more.
Coronavirus patients are who the hospital and ICU beds are for now.
And the respirators.
The testing.
The new research dollars.
Perhaps, the global medical community has gone a little Coronavirus crazy, extreme, radical, overboard in their singular focus, panic, and chaos over just one virus to the exclusion of everything else!
Apparently, our totally "overwhelmed" medical system can't "walk and chew gum at the same time."
Certainly, we have a lot to be grateful for to the dedicated and selfless doctors and nurses in the medical community for everything they are doing to help people with Coronavirus under very trying circumstances.
The problem is that in the meantime, people that have new or other chronic conditions are being left out and sometimes to rot.
Unless of course you are a big fan of telemedicine, which may be good to get something routine looked after, but something major, and I think you're in big trouble.
After this Coronavirus (assuming there is an after), there is going to be a lot of pent up demand for medical care.
I think a lot of people are suffering now with conditions that they were waiting to take care of until they were absolutely necessary, but unfortunately when it became necessary, then the care was not there.
Makes you wonder whether and when you should do or put off medical procedures in the future: just because the care is there "today," doesn't mean it will be there tomorrow. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Doctor Is Out!
November 1, 2018
Some Reflections From The Procedure
I hate going to the hospital--who doesn't?
But I figured better to take care of something before it gets worse.
I think of it like taking the car into the mechanic for a tuneup every once in a while.
This analogy stuck with me years ago, when the orthopedist told me I needed to get a hip replacement and started to describe it as having a flat tire that needed to be repaired.
Leading up the the procedure, someone sent me this funny cartoon:
This really hit a nerve too because even the best medicine these days reminds me of the truly horrible medicine not so long ago.
Ah, have some liquor, bite on this piece of wood, and now we'll saw your leg off!
I remember my father never even liked to go to the doctor, and he had total faith that G-d was his doctor--I think he actually managed to avoid the doctor for literally something like 30-years.
He also used to joke that many doctors were butchers, and he didn't want to get caught under their knife.
So that's certainly some apprehension going in to this.
The other thing that was interesting-sad that I saw this week when I went for an MRI was someone taking a homeless person into the radiology center for a scan.
But when the lady asked for insurance the person didn't have any, so the lady asks for "proof of homelessness."
I was flabbergasted at this as the guy was obviously homeless and literally was wearing tattered clothes.
They wouldn't do the scan until the person escorting him would come back with this proof.
I felt so bad for him and thought to myself is this what the healthcare system and care for the poverty-striken in this country has come to?
While I am so truly grateful for the miraculous care that I received this week, I am equally saddened at the care that others don't get that need it, and pray that we as a "caring society" will do better.
Anyway, I want to express my gratitude to the doctor, the hospital, my wonderful family who stood by me, and most of all to G-d for seeing me through the procedure this week and for watching over me always. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Some Reflections From The Procedure
August 29, 2017
Doctors In Houston
It was so amazing to read this morning about the doctors who are going all out to help people in need there.
Doctors staying in the hospital for days to cover their patients stuck there and requiring care and treatment.
And others that are wading through the waters at there own risk to get there to treat the sick.
One doctor mentioned was Adi Diab M.D. who trekked 3 miles through a foot of water to get Anderson Cancer Center "to attend to a patient undergoing an experimental cancer treatment."
He did this so as not to interfere with the patients scheduled treatment for the re-engineering of immune cells to fight a tumor.
I'll tell you, there really are some truly amazing people out there--whether doctors and nurses, firefighters and emergency responders, law enforcement and military personnel.
They run into danger and disaster zones when everyone else is running out.
Is it professionalism, dedication, duty, or an angelic calling to help people and the nation in need.
This is our nation at its best--united!!!--and helping our neighbors, saving lives, and putting others before self.
"Houston there is a problem", and as unbelievably horrible and unfortunate as it is, perhaps it is also a critical reminder of what's really important and a healing to our great nation. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Doctors In Houston
June 30, 2017
It's Like Saving The Whole World
"He who saves one life...It is as if he saves a whole world."
For doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners, what greater purpose or joy in life than to save other human lives!
Each person is truly a whole world unto themselves...their thoughts, feelings, and their contributions!
Who knows what one single act of kindness or generosity from someone can have--what impacts down the line to one or even billions of others.
Today, I have a friend that is undergoing a major operation in this hospital.
My thoughts and prayers are with him.
This is his third hospitalization in the last few weeks and it's time for the doctors--with G-d's help--to save his life.
I actually had something similar to this friend many years ago, but the technology wasn't there yet to diagnose it, and I had to have emergency surgery where they went in "exploratory" to find out what the heck was going on.
And thank G-d that they did--they literally saved my life at the time or I wouldn't be writing to you all today.
I feel so grateful to G-d for his mercy to us and for giving us modern medicine and technology and all the wonderful people who work tirelessly to help all the sick people and to help save their very lives.
I am wishing the best of luck to my friend to come through this with a full and merciful healing. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
It's Like Saving The Whole World
November 11, 2015
Honesty, A Great Policy
This was a new doctor for me, and I was going in with a healthy dose of skepticism (until I know the person is good and trustworthy).
Well after the doctor does all these things, I test the waters and ask him, "So how often should I come back to see you every 6 months or more often or what?"
Here's his opportunity to put money ahead of really caring about the patient and to say to come often and more frequently so they can make more patient visits and more money.
But instead he pleasantly surprised me and goes, "Well let's see how your doing and take it from there."
I loved it--some genuine honesty and not just business and a money-making racket.
Now, I really do plan to go back to this doctor regularly, because I trust him. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Honesty, A Great Policy
August 7, 2015
Why Can't We Just Stay As Superman?
Our bodies are beautiful, supple, strong, and heal quickly.
We are taught by our helicopter parents and philosophic teachers that "You can do anything you set your mind to!"
In our fantasies, we surely can do amazing things--we lift unbelievable weight, fly around at the speed of light, do karate better than Bruce Lee, outthink Einstein, save the world, and then make off with the beautiful damsel to boot.
Kryptonite is no problem--we are (seemingly) invincible.
Then we hit middle age--40 something--and all of a sudden what do you know?
Oh, this doesn't work right and that doesn't feel right.
The Yiddish expression, "Oy vey" seems about it.
And off to the doctors we go.
After the exam and tests, doc says, "Mr. (or Ms.) [whatever], you have [fill in the blank]."
You respond, "Is that normal--at my age--already?"
Doc says, "Absolutely, this is what happens as you get older."
I say, "Doc, does anything good happen when we get older."
"Of course not"--we both laugh.
This reminds me of when my dad used to sing this song in this funny mock Irish accent, "You're not as young as you used to be you're getting old and gray!"
This week, a colleague was coming down with something--possibly something not good.
I told him how I hoped this turns out well for him and how sorry I was for what he was going through.
Writing off the illness, he says to me, "We all end the same anyway" (i.e. we all end up dead!)--ah, another unhappy notion that is.
I joked back, "But we all don't end up in the same place."
I got a few laughs at that too (some of my father in me).
Well anyway, I thought about this after--about some of the special subhuman beings out there--and the very special place that I am certain G-d has in store for them:
- Serial murders and other violent criminals
- Rapists and child abusers
- Terrorists and their sponsors
- Megalomaniacs, bullies, and corrupt officials
- Thieves, cheats, and liars.
And guess what about these schmendricks--they get old too, they go to the doctor too, and then they are going somewhere warm, very warm, and it's not to the Caribbean. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Why Can't We Just Stay As Superman?
September 15, 2014
Doctor In Context
No, this is not my doctor, but a statue of one on the countertop.
What's funny to me is how he looks in context of the bottles and anatomical models all around him.
Either the doctor has shrunk or the other things are really huge.
My dad used to tell me that doctors only know what G-d tells them, so we should pray that G-d gives them the wisdom to help us.
And my grandfather used to say in German that "G-d is my doctor."
Maybe that's why the image of the doctor is looking up--to get the guidance from the one above to help us.
That's the intersection of medicine and faith--where truly big things can happen. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Doctor In Context
June 1, 2014
Outrunning The Needle
He grew up amidst a collection of small villages in El Salvador.
The person who gave the vaccinations to the children used to go to the school to administer the medicine to them.
When the kids saw him coming, they would run out of the school, through the school yard, over the fence, and all the way home to try to avoid the shot.
He also said that the school personnel would chase them to their home to bring them back…one way or another, they were getting the dreaded needle.
It reminded me of when I was a little kid in the pediatrician's office, and the doctor was pulling out a long needle to give me a shot, and I hopped off the table, and ran for my life.
I ran out of her office, past the nurse's station, and into the welcoming arms of the patient reception area.
But the doctor and nurse caught up to me as well and brought me back for my shot too.
It sort of reminds me of the saying, "You can run, but you can't hide."
In life, it really doesn't matter whether we want to do something or not.
When the time comes to face the challenges that await us all, even if you try to ignore it, avoid it, or run away from it…it will eventually catch up to you.
Maybe it's worth a run sometimes, if you can avoid an unnecessary fight, but if it is something you have to face, like your medicine, you might as well just stay and take the needle like a man/woman and get some cookies and ice cream afterwards. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Dan4th Nicholas)
Outrunning The Needle
May 14, 2014
1st Day Post-OP
I was asleep under anesthesia before I ever even got to the operating room, so can't remember a thing, which is probably good since I hear that a lot of power tools are involved.
Right before, my wife kissed me and told me that the female nurses were all flirting with me--ha!
After the surgery, I was groggy like crazy.
When the nurse asked me if I knew what year it was, I blurted out "1993!"
Aside from the general anesthesia, I had some sort of nerve block.
Thanks G-d that has made the pain minimal to zero even.
The nurse this morning gave me a percocet in anticipation of the pain with physical therapy today--so I apologize if this blog is a little loopy today.
So far, although very stiff around the surgical area, I have already sat up, got up, even walked a little down the hospital hallway.
Waiting for more PT and OT this afternoon.
I just want to say thank you to G-d, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, all the nurses, and my wife and kids and other family and friends for taking such good care of and for all their thoughts and prayers.
One friend, even called me the bionic man this morning.
It's been a really tough year with the loss of my mom in January and my dad not being well in the hospital and now in a facility to get him back on his feet again too.
And so far, my wife has been doing great keeping us going with only one big stress attack and trip to the ER to show for it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
1st Day Post-OP
May 5, 2014
Healthcare Where You Need It
Great new medical examination device from Tyto Care.
Handheld, mobile, cloud-based solution for performing a basic medical examination, anywhere--either remotely guided by an online physician or using the 3D avatar on the device itself for conducting a self-examination.
The device looks like the one in the doctors office that checks your ears, but it also has sensors to listen to your heart and lungs, and for viewing your eyes, throat, and skin, and for taking your temperature.
The results can be read by the end-user or sent to a physician for review and diagnosis.
When your not feeling well or aren't sure what's wrong--isn't great to have the convenience to have your vitals checked from wherever you are and the self-sufficiency to even get and see your own basic medical stats.
In a time where we are under more stress to get adequate medical care due to families made up of dual working parents, jobs that are 24/7, and a declining ratio of medical professionals to patients--the Tyto seems like a breakthrough that can help us get checked and get help, anytime and place.
Now, we just need to get our medical practitioners online and in regular remote communication with their patients--so the traditional office visit and emergency room aren't the only options for being seen. ;-)
Healthcare Where You Need It
New And Hip
Well almost, anyway--this is a small-scale model of one.
About 300,000 people per year benefit from this procedure in the U.S.
Thank G-d for such medical advances.
I don't know what people did in earlier times having to live with the pain and loss of function and mobility before they had this available.
My father always told me that the doctors are G-d's messengers and they only know and can do what G-d tells and enables them to do.
In that sense, a good doctor is really an angel of G-d's mercy.
It's amazing and miraculous! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
New And Hip
September 7, 2013
Rethinking How Blood Work Is Done
Her company, Theranos, has certified phlebotomists for taking patient's blood, but instead of taking vials and vials of blood, they just take a pinprick worth--1/1,000 of a typical draw--from the tip of your finger.
Moreover, unlike with conventional blood work testing, "only about 62% of tests that doctors order are ultimately carried out,"partially because there is still not enough blood drawn, but with Theranos the tests are able to be done with only small drop sample sizes.
With advanced, patented technology, Theranos does the tests (blood, urine, other) faster--in 4 hours or less, rather than in days, so you, the patient, can get the results quicker, and treatment for your condition sooner.
Moreover the results are said to be more precise to within a 10% variation--in contrast to typical labs tests that are within plus-or-minus 30% allowable error--a 60% error range!
With faster and better technology, Theranos helps your doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis and provide targeted treatment.
The testing results are provided securely and electronically to the doctors in this very cool dashboard (pictured above) in which blood measurements can be quickly and easily seen on a scale of low-to-high, as well as whether something is deficient, insufficient, or at toxic levels.
Also, Theranos provides trending of results over time, so the physician can quickly see whether the patient's condition is worsening or improving, and can make treatment decisions accordingly.
And when the doctor releases the results, you'll be able to logon and see them for yourself as well.
Further, Theranos is committing to conduct the blood work at a 50%-off discount on Medicare fees--they are saying, "we want to bill you at less than you're willing to reimburse."
I really like when someone bold and bright like Elizabeth Holmes comes along and breaks the old broken paradigms--really rethinking how something could/should be done better.
In general, it often seems that the medical field is change/risk adverse (like with adoption of electronic health records), but Ms. Holmes has brought a better, faster, and cheaper testing and diagnostic process to all of us.
I noticed that Theranos has a very impressive roster on it's board, including former Secretary of States Henry Kissinger and George Schultz and former Secretary of Defense, William J. Perry to name just a few.
Theranos seems to be the company to watch in this medical diagnostic laboratory field.
No more scary big needles--just a pin-prick and a few drops of blood...that's blood worth taking and testing. ;-)
(Source Photo: Theranos Website)
Rethinking How Blood Work Is Done
July 4, 2013
The Five Phases Of Medicine
For example, while antibiotics are used to routinely treat many bacterial infections, there are few antiviral treatments currently available--and we are left with the proverbial, "take two aspirin and call me in the morning."
Similarly, heart attacks, strokes, cancers and so many other ailments still take their victims and leave the bereaving family asking why?
In thinking about medicine, there are five major historical phases:
1. Do nothing: Get hurt or ill, and you're as good as dead. You shudder at the words "There is nothing we can do for you." Average lifespan for folks, 30s. If you're lucky (or wealthy), you may make it into your 40s or even reach 50.
2. Cut it: Diseased or damaged limb or body part, chop it off or cut it out surgically. I still remember when the people in my grandparents generation called doctors, butchers.
3. Replace it: When something is kaput, you replace it--using regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy (e.g. for bone marrow transplants or even for growing new tissue for teeth) and bioprinters (like a 3-D printer) to make new ones.
4. Heal it: Envision a future with self-healing microbes (based on nanotechnology) in the blood and tissues that detect when a body part is dangerously ill and deploys repair drones to fix them. There is no need to cut it off or replace it, you just fix it. And perhaps with DNA "profiling"(don't like that word), we'll be able to tell what a person is predisposed to and provide proactive treatments.
5. Eliminate it: Ok, this is way out there, but could there come a time, when with technology (and of course, G-d's guiding hand) that we can eradicate most disease. Yes, hard to imagine, and with diseases that adapt and morph into other strains, it would be hard to do--but that doesn't mean it's impossible.
I still am shocked in the 21st century with all the medical advances and technology that we have that the doctors still say for everything from routine colds, to viruses, sores, growths, and more--"Oh, there's nothing we can do for that."
Yet, there is what to look forward to for future generations in terms of better medicine and perhaps with longer and better quality of life.
My grandfather used to say, "No one gets old without suffering"--let's hope and pray for less and less suffering with future medical technology advances. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
The Five Phases Of Medicine