I have been away from the board for a few days for a medical incident.
Basically on Sunday I started feeling queasy in the stomach and this continued through early Wednesday morning. I had eaten a lot of potato chips since I felt like indulging and at around 2am I threw up. I figured it's because I ate too much of something I hadn't eaten in a long time. No big deal. I noticed a red color but figured it might just be food coloring or something.
I couldn't sleep so I stayed awake and only had some ice water. About 10 am on Wednesday I threw up again and it was blood. That made me nervous but it could just be backwash from one of my nosebleeds. A couple hours later it happened again and I decided that a visit to the ER might be in my best interest.
Well, when I was in the ER I had a final episode of vomiting. It was disgusting. All clots. It was apparently impressive because the ER staff were calling each other to take a look. In a way I'm proud of this because when I get sick, it's epic sickness. Needless to say I was admitted immediately, sat around for five hours, transferred to another hospital, then intubated and operated on.
The problem was an artery decided to give up the ghost (think of a pipe that is a hundred years old with no problems then finally bursts) so they had to go in and cauterize it and clip the artery. Apparently it worked but I had to stay for two days while they observed me. God that was a long two days.
Anyway, I'm better now, but that was scary.
Oh and need I mention I'm not insured? Lovely.
Dang! I hope you are feeling better now. What a scary incident!
Geez, Eddy. Scary stuff. I'm glad you're back home.
oh wow Eddy, how scary!! I am so happy to hear they were able to figure out what it was and take care of it.
I am so glad that they caught it and were able to fix it. And that you are back home.
As to the bill, petition them for either: a) writing off the bill because of your indigent status, or at least b) very small payments based on 2-4% of your curren unemployment. They can bitch, but that is their fault for supporting those who blocked universal health care when Clinton tried to do it.
It's a good thing you're not one of these stubborn people who, when getting sick, think it's something minor that will clear it self up in a day or two, and doctors don't know anything anyways. Then they end up being found dead in their home. Think of how big your medical bill would be in a case like that. (lol). Ah yes, the good old U.S. of A.; the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn't have universal health care providing free, equal health care for every citizen. Do you have enough money to get to Guantanamo Bay or Iraq or Afghanastan? You could walk into a U.S. medical clinic there and get free medical treatment.
It was very scary for me, but oddly the financial aspect is the least of my worries. I figure the first thing I'll do is simply talk to the people in the billing department and tell them I'm uninsured. I bet a lot of the charges will disappear because insurance will happily pay ten bucks for an aspirin which is of course ridiculous. There are also many non-profits which may help.
All I have to say is that it is wrong that an educated person in a first world country (if you can call the USA that) should debate about getting medical care.
I'm happy to know that you're ok. I hope that people in bliling department will be able to understand your situation.
Wow, Eddy! I'm glad you're okay.
And I agree with all rants against the USA's healthcare system, especially OzarkMoon's. And they are still blocking Obama's (albeit weak and wimpy) attempts to move toward something like universal healthcare! Wouldn't want to lose PROFITS from the sick and dying, yanno....
Holy crap!! Glad you made it and doubly glad you were able to perform on command when needed (throw up blood when the nurses were watching.) HA!
Scary about the freakin' insurance situation, though.
Glad you're okay and I hope the bills will sort themselves out. Take care.
WOW! Eddy that is really scary. I hope you are better.
Quote: figure the first thing I'll do is simply talk to the people in the billing department and tell them I'm uninsured.
You'd really be surprised how understanding they will be and how many programs there are for the uninsured. When DH was in the ER with one of his drinking episodes (several years ago) the man in the next little cubby hole/exam room was approved on the spot to basically have this bill written off. From the way they talked to the hospital rep they were pretty destitute. They were older, not old enough for Medicare but not young enough to have a pack of kids to put them under the federal poverty limit.
The hospital billing folks were always nice when I dealt with them, though luckily DH's problems were always covered by insurance. But the hospital had quite a few battles with the insurance companies, who I consider to be the true axis of evil when it comes to our healthcare system. Anyway, if worse comes to worse send them $5 a month. It's my understanding that they can't do anything to you.
OMG Eddy! I'm glad you're okay now, that's damned scary. I wish I could have come and sit with you at the hospital to keep you company.
Glad you're OK, Eddy! How frightening!
Don't worry about the medical bills. When I lived in NY and was uninsured, I had a huge $20K hospital bill that just disappeared after a while. It's not on my credit report either.
CF Scorpio Wrote:Glad you're OK, Eddy! How frightening!
Don't worry about the medical bills. When I lived in NY and was uninsured, I had a huge $20K hospital bill that just disappeared after a while. It's not on my credit report either.
not to add to any worry, but medical collections can and often do show on credit reports. a lot of places over look medical collections when doing financing (we overlook them here at my credit union), but since it is considered derogatory, it does affect your credit score in a negative way, which could mean higher interest rates on loans because of a lower score.
Eddy, I am so glad you were smart enough to go to the ER.
Very scary, but I am glad it came out okay.
And yes, some hospital billing offices are actually staffed by very caring humans.
Wow, I'm glad you're okay!
As for the bill, if you aren't on medicaid you should look into those programs you mentioned. There should be something in your state since you're unemployed. You might have to pay, but a lot of the bill should be written off and they will work out payment plans. Even so, money can be earned but health cannot- glad you took care of this ASAP and are quickly recovering.
Eddy, I'm glad you came through this okay, that's some hardcore serious shit. Where was the artery that gave out?
Don't even get me started on America's horrible health care system, I'll just get more angry than usual.
I'm so sorry! I'm really happy to hear that you are OK. Wow what a scary thing to have happen. Really glad you are alright. Let us know if you need anything.
Oh my Eddy! That must have been terrifying! I can't even imagine......
I am glad to hear that they were able to find out what was wrong right away!
How are you doing right now? I hope you are not in too much pain.
I won't even get on the
re: US Healthcare