To Concierge or not to Concierge

I have been thinking for a little bit now about getting a new primary care physician. I LOVE my current PCP, but her office isn't terribly convenient to my work and it can be very difficult to get the appointment time I need. She's completely focused on me when I'm there, though, and she knows me and deals with things... but I sometimes feel something lacking. I really enjoy talking with her, but she's not necessarily proactive in helping me with things and I am not entirely sure she's still a good fit for me.

In comes an offer for an affordable concierge physician service. They have a snappy website. They offer online scheduling for same-day appointments. They have specialists in women's health and complex conditions... and an office that is a 5 minute walk from work. It seems like a good idea, but what if they aren't as good as the current PCP? What if I want to go back? Will she feel betrayed?

I understand this is certainly a first world problem that I am fortunate to have.... and that many people even in the US don't get this kind of choice. But with choice is coming confusion.... What to do?

Dancing in the Streets!

The Affordable Care Act has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

I know some people are all mad about it, but you know what? I DON'T CARE! I AM HAPPY AND EXCITED!

I have seen a lot of different reactions, and it seems like the more people understand the law, the more people support it. This brings my heart joy. It will change health care for the better in this country... It certainly can't make it worse. 

Right Foot: Reconciled

It turns out the foot pain I was having last week was a sprain of the lisfranc ligament (or so the podiatrist thinks). I have been in special tape and a surgical shoe since Thursday. I can take off the tape tomorrow and I CAN'T WAIT! I've been unable to get that foot wet since it was taped. I can't even begin to contemplate how nice it will feel to get the tape off. I'm still in the surgical shoe until at least Thursday. Sexual.

I am so happy to have had a simple problem that seems to be resolving with proper medical attention in a short amount of time. How very refreshing to have something so straightforward.

I hate you, foot

Dear Right Foot,

Why must you be so difficult? I've been so nice to you, and yet you repay me with pain. I just want to walk to my usual places and do my usual things, but you're making this process impossible. I'm totally gimpy. Hopefully, the doctor can see us soon and will fix you right up. Somehow, I fear that this might go on for a bit until we figure it out.

HARUMPH TO YOU, FOOT!

No Love,
LRM

Alien Cancer Dolls

Sorry for the absence. May was crazy-go-nuts.

Back to the business at hand. Mattel has released the images for the "True Hope" dolls. They look like aliens. Don't believe me? Look at the pre-order page. Please tell me how exactly having glamorous looking cancer patients help anyone? We already know how I feel about this, but they're actually worse than I thought they would be. Sad, considering how bad I expected them to be.

Why not make a doll with dark circles and gaunt features or prednisone moon face? Because I guess the idea that someone would ever be unattractive while ill is distasteful and won't sell dolls. It saddens me, because if you are really looking for something that resembles what you see in the mirror, these dolls aren't it. "Why don't I look like the cancer doll?" It's kind of heartbreaking. Why not make a chronic illness doll with removable hair and prednisone moon face, complete with an infusion set? That's a little too real, I guess.

Sick People on NPR

Today the fine folks at NPR posted to their Facebook page asking for people like me to interview for a story about being sick in America. Those of you who read this know pretty well how I cope with being sick and what it takes to do it. This is an important story to tell, even if they don't pick me.

I hope they pick me, though.

A friend who works for an NPR affiliate posted the status on my wall saying she wants to hear me on NPR. I find it oddly reassuring that when my friends think of sick people who would appropriately represent the chronically ill, they think of me. In fact, I am honored. I doubt they will pick me, but I DO have a great radio voice...

Pit Crews and Systems

Making systems work is the great task of my generation of physicians and scientists. But I would go further and say that making systems work — whether in healthcare, education, climate change, making a pathway out of poverty — is the great task of our generation as a whole.” (Atul Gawande)

This particular TED talk is one that speaks to the current crisis in medicine. We have cowboys and mavericks when we need pit crews that work together as a system. It's quite interesting and certainly worth the 20 minutes.