# I saw my innards! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 24, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677 "2002-05-24T17:26:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/1 "2002-05-24T17:26:01Z")
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. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/2 "2002-05-24T18:22:06Z")
Hooray! The FairyChatInnards are in good order! 😃 I know what you mean about the insurance thing. I had knee surgery 2 years ago, and it was a whopping $7K. $900 just for the anaesthesiologist. (Did I spell that right?) But, my doctor was kind enough to tape the entire experience, so I not only have 3 little scars, but video proof that someone can make $7K for an hour’s worth of work. Must be nice! 😉 Seriously, I’m glad you’re doing well and functioning properly! ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/3 "2002-05-24T19:18:34Z")
If you’ve never had an Upper GI before let me give you a wee warning: The stuff comes out the other end looking just like it did going in. No one told me after my Upper and the first time I _ahem_ went to the bathroom and noticed the bowl was filled with white fluid it was a bit startling. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/4 "2002-05-24T19:47:44Z")
**Mauvaise** , I made that rather startling discovery a few hours ago. Actually, I thought it was kinda funny. I’d have been more disturbed if it’d come out neon orange or purple. It wasn’t too shocking, tho… **Skerri** , that’s one pricey video! Tell me you don’t bring it out at dinner parties… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/5 "2002-05-25T03:25:41Z")
Did you get pictures??? I’m going for an echogram thingamajiggy and I thought it would be like an ultrasound where you can get pictures. I was so bummed to find out that I don’t get pictures (I thought it would be morbidly funny to give my SO my heart for Valentine’s Day next year). So didja get to take home any innards pics??? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/6 "2002-05-25T20:00:21Z")
Nope, didn’t get copies to bring home, although it would make an interesting addition to the wall where we have our family photos displayed. I _did_ take a photo of my belly after I had my gallbladder removed - labeled all the incisions and everything. E-mailed it to a bunch of my friends. No one appreciated the gesture… buncha ingrates!! ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/7 "2002-05-25T20:35:33Z")
I’m glad everything is running fine. Insurance is a must. I saw the bill for my son’s birth and it came out to over $13,000! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-my-innards/110677/8 "2002-05-25T20:48:15Z")
Sounds interesting. Have you ever seen up the _other_ end? When they do a “flex sig” (thats the one where they run a fiber-optic camera up your bum to look at the inside of your colon) they actually take a few stills. I got to keep a couple of mine. I’ve been told from time to time that I had my head up my ass, but this time I really did. Now I’ve been everywhere. 😃 Oh, and **FairyChatMom** , glad all’s well. I know what you mean about being uninsured. I’ve been so for a while now.