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The arbitrary economics of life and death
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Apr 16 3:21pm | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
All true, but the fact that the system exists at all is pretty amazing. It's not an easy thing to build or maintain, and it's a huge privilege of living in a rich country like Canada or the U.S. that we can just take its existence for granted and moan about the details (which we all do sometimes, since grumbling is only human 🙂).
Annoying as it is, they have two good reasons for asking your birthdate everytime you walk into a new room:
1. Confirmation that they have the right person (we've all heard horror stories about the wrong patient being treated, rare as it is).
2. A quick check of cognitive ability (e.g. do you seem confused or hesitant?).
For a system that often goes for expensive solutions, this is a nice, simple safety check. When I was in hospital (critical care) they also kept asking me if I knew the date, where I was, and why I was there. I entertained myself by reciting hospital, floor, ward and room number, then a stream of technical details I memorised from my chart until they rolled their eyes and smiled.
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I have to agree, even though system so far failed us and I was angry (surveillance was too passive and hence useless) any time I feel desperation I tell myself that at least we will have many options going forward and that if were living in our country of origin my husband wouldn't even have surveillance beyond DRE and would have zero options for advanced treatments. I decided consciously not to dwell on what was wrong but to concentrate on going forward. I am also not oblivious of the prospect that one day perhaps there will not be any "forward" but that is not going to be my focus.
At the same time I could spend time lamenting about the fact that we are not living in Switzerland or Germany where all costs would be 100% covered and my husband would have 1 to 2 year payed medical leave but what is the point ? *sigh We have to do our best with what we are dealt and with what is available to us. Also, any time I feel down I come here and read about success stories shared by PC veterans and they brighten my outlook : ).
One can ask what is "bright" about PC stories, well it depends what you are looking for in any written post - to me surviving against all odds, enjoying small victories, enjoying company of loved ones, finding humor in ridiculous circumstances of PC, getting heartfelt "hug" from members and getting good advise, all are very bright, very meaningful and hope inducing. < 3
PS: I don't think that patients will ever have truly personalized care and boutique treatment unless they are VIP - very rich people and/or celebrities. It is utopia, as simple as that ...