On x-ray, that is. This morning, I had the last in the series of tests/exams/procedures to ascertain my gastrointestinal health. All is peachy-keen-fine-and-dandy!
After a baseline x-ray, I had to drink some thick, white, chalky stuff, chock full of barium goodness! The taste wasn’t too disgusting, but being at room temperature made it almost unpalatable. Still, I managed to down two cups of the stuff. After 10 minutes, I had another x-ray, and the technician said it might speed things along if I walked around instead of just sitting in the waiting area.
So, there I was, clad in maroon scrubs and my black-and-white flip-flops, pacing two narrow hallways. There was nothing of interest to see - even out the front window (the diagnostic center was in a small strip shopping center) After 15 minutes, there was another x-ray, and very shortly after that, the tech called me in so the radiologist could do whatever it is he does.
He had a paddle which inflated to a bit larger than a grapefruit on one side. He hooked it up, pulled part of the machine over my mid-section, and turned the monitor so I could see what was going on. He pushed the paddle against my belly in several places, showing me how my intestines moved around. Apparently that’s a good thing. He also pointed out where the section of intestine had been removed when I had endometriosis in 1989. It didn’t look any different to me, but he’s the pro, so I believed him. I had to shift position a few times and he took a couple of pictures for posterity, or something. But he said everything looks just fine. Then I was told to go home and stay hydrated.
So, I’m home. And I should be done with all this medical stuff for the year, except for having the dermatologist give me a once-over in July. All of this stuff revealed something really disturbing to me: If you haven’t got insurance, you really can’t afford to be sick.
I’m not going to look up the specific bills, but one procedure was billed at over $3000, but with the savings that the insurance company negotiated, they paid around $400, and my share was maybe $50. So, if you’re uninsured, you pay $3K. I don’t understand this. If Ralph’s Diagnostics and Feed Store can afford to provide their services to insured individuals for $500 and, dare I say, make a profit, why must they charge the guy without insurance $3K for the very same service? Can anyone explain this?
Thankfully, I’ve got good insurance for me and my family. We can have all these unpleasant things done to us for a fraction of the price that others must pay. I’m hoping we’re done with the poking and prodding for a while, tho. Because I’m sure you’re tired of hearing about my innards, and goodness knows, I’m tired of having stuff in there that doesn’t belong.
Waiter? Bring me my chocolate!!
And may I take a few moments to thank those of you who took the time to send me e-mails, keeping my spirits up during this somewhat unnerving time. And I appreciate all the kind words in my whiny, self-pity threads. I promise this will be the last self-indulgent essay on my innards until the next one.
