Goodbye, Little Friend...

... AND GOOD RIDDANCE! That thing got so annoying by the end. I still think it is an amazing device, but I'm sure glad not to be wearing one anymore. I accidentally miscounted days and took it off after 13 days, but I'm pretty sure that will be ok.

I am not so much looking forward to the next steps in the process or trying to go get a chest xray now that the doodad is gone.

I really don't want to have a stress test. I don't want an echo. Don't want, but have to. HARUMPH.

Flu Vaccine Made Me Sick!

Ok. No. No it did not. That's not how the flu vaccine works. You can't get sick from the dead virus. You can have some discomfort and such, but it did not give you the sinus infection or whatever you think it gave you. I have just seen too many folks on my facebook and twitter feeds talking about how their flu shot MADE them sick. They report it on the news as though these subjective stories are fact. Unless you have the flu strain that they shot into you, you definitely didn't get it from the flu shot.

There is loads of scientific research that backs me up in my assertion. There is zero credible evidence that supports your "flu vaccine made me sick" argument. Sure, you might get a fever or something, but that means the vaccine is actually working. Your immune system is pumping up to learn about the new buggies your doctor injected. Isn't that cool? I can answer that for you. It definitely is.

I understand that some people have a harder time with vaccines. Some people have allergies. The allergy folks get a pass from me, actually. Don't get a flu shot if you are allergic to its components. Otherwise, even if you get a mild reaction, get a flu shot. You'll protect yourself and those around you. While you're at it, throw in a Dtap if you haven't had one recently. Especially if you know/love/are around children or the immune compromised. Whooping cough is no joke and the numbers are on the rise.

Anyway, back to the flu vaccine. Where do you get the flu vaccine? Doctor's offices. Where do sick people go to get medicine? Doctor's offices. Not a coincidence.

Marvels of Modern Medicine

More often than not, I feel like my own medical experiences are somewhat miraculous. 100 years ago, the first pneumonia I had in 8th grade probably would have killed me. If that didn't, the pneumonia at 19 certainly would have. Or perhaps one of the numerous infections I'd had before that were treated with antibiotics. There are a million and one ways nature (and, perhaps, Darwin) could have taken its course. I mean, I don't make antibodies. My body doesn't do a very good job of fighting for itself... Yet here I am, living a full and relatively healthy life. Amazing.

Recently, I have been reading some news articles that speak to the miracles achieved by the application of science in medicine. These things range from the simple, like using vinegar to help find pre-cancerous cervical lesions in places where PAP smears are difficult, to developing oxygen foam to help in critical medical situations. It is truly wondrous to me.

I am so thankful for all the medical pioneers out there. For all the doctors who learn about and use these treatments for their patients. For all the nurses who are dedicated to the best patient outcomes. I know I would not be here without them and without the pioneers who developed the treatments that have saved my life and returned quality of life to me. I am eternally grateful.

Say Hello To My Little Friend...

I went to my PCP's PA because I feel cruddy after exercise. Like super cruddy, not out of shape crap, but something isn't right. It didn't fell like asthma, didn't feel like an infection, didn't feel like anything I've experienced previously. Just felt really strange...

The doctor did an EKG, which revealed some abnormalities with my heart rhythm. This could be caused by one pacemaker being weak and another one taking up for it, it could just be the position of my heart in my chest making the test funny, or it could be something else entirely. We determined the best next step would be the cardiologist, especially given my status as a complicated patient. She had her admins call for me and make my appointment. Yeehaw.

I didn't even know the cardiologist's name, which, as it happens, is the same name as an ex of mine. I find that sort of disturbing and amusing at the same time. His manner disarmed me and reassured me. He took the time to look at my case "on paper" to see if there was anything that jumped out at him. He listened to me and encouraged me to share symptoms, even when describing them proved difficult. Then... He put this thing on me:

Hello, cybernetic organism!

This Zio Patch will be on my chest for about 2 weeks. Sounds like great fun, right? I can't tell you how I'm brimming with excitement at having to find ways to wear high necklines to avoid questions. Super fun! He set me up with some other testing in early October, so I won't know anything until at least then. I just hope they find something and that something is easily fixed. Blargh.

If you're reading this, it's because you pay attention to my blog. I don't necessarily feel like talking about this, so please don't ask if I know anything. That only adds to my stress and I do not want to talk about it right now. Trust me, you'll know if it is something important. Right now, as far as I am concerned, this is just another "ologist" in the mix.

Accidental Support for the Chronic Disease Community

I really hate the political climate in this country. Sometimes more than others. Right now, I feel like screaming. Mitt Romney came out in support of those with pre-existing conditions on a Sunday news program, only to have it walked back by his handlers. Twice.

I believe that Mr. Romney really does want people with pre-existing conditions to have access to the insurance market... one that is affordable. His record in Massachusetts reflects this. His campaign tries to distance him from these positions and diminish what they mean for many Americans. It makes no sense to me that people believe that the free market will solve our health costs and will make health care accessible to all Americans. Our system has only made care less affordable and less accessible. To continue the old way would not provide much to anyone but the very healthy. That kind of defeats the purpose, no?

People with simple issues get denied all the time or told they must pay a ridiculous sum because of their knee injury decades ago or a BMI that is too high. I guess, all things equal, if we had control of our health, it would make sense. But there are many people with many conditions who do not have much, if any, control of how sick they get. I don't know why this is such a mystery. It's not fair that those people who, through no fault of their own, have health conditions that preclude them from getting insurance. These people die. I don't think that's what Jefferson had in mind when he wrote "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Things I DO Believe

Talking to medical nonbelievers is astonishing to me. I don't understand why or how there would be a vast conspiracy by all doctors to make you sicker. It just doesn't make sense, but people insist on the veracity of their belief in this.

I believe wholeheartedly that the majority of the medical profession really does want to help. They really do want people to feel better. I think when doctors suggest certain courses of action or drugs or exercise or whatever, they really are suggesting what they think will lead you to the longest and best possible life. Quality of life certainly plays a role here.

I also believe there is some major conflict of interest on the part of some physicians. There are instances of preferential prescription of one brand over another or deciding to trial a patient on an expensive treatment because they have some kind of kickback. I think these instances are exceptional and rare, rather than some sort of conspiratorial collusion between doctors and the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, I would be willing to wager that most doctors would rather just be able to give their patients the medicines they needed without regard to cost. I have heard stories of doctors purchasing medicines for their patients to help with conditions like asthma to ensure that the patients need to see them less.

I believe in our medical system. I believe in its ability to change and adapt to new treatments, new ideas, and new methods. It seems to me that when we get stuck in "the way things have always been," we wind up with worse outcomes and more issues. I much prefer when our system tries to go with the state of the art or tries to forge a new state of the art. I think a lot of this will become even more important as the number of hospital-borne infections increases and antibiotic resistance grows. Doctors and hospitals will have to innovate for the sake of their patients.

I really don't understand how someone can truly believe that the medical establishment has nothing for them. Even a "hey, everything looks great, keep doing these healthy things" is SOMETHING. Most often, though, I find the nonbelievers are those who are trying to hide that they don't feel well, or those that fear that the doctor will take them to task on their unhealthy lifestyle. Either way, I think some truths need to be heard.

I Don't Believe

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about recent advancements in medicine, including promising developments in some of the most mysterious diseases, providing lingering hope for people.

I can't help feeling like that will never be me. Any incremental change in the knowledge about the workings of the immune system feels glacial. The current base of knowledge seems sparse at best. If they don't understand the underlying mechanisms, how can they even begin to fix what I never had?

Maybe I've become jaded, but it all just feels so remote and hopeless sometimes. I remind myself to be thankful to have a treatment, as many don't have that. Even if it is a pain, I would rather have it and some semblance of normalcy.