The wonderful physiatrist who has ordered tests that my GP probably
should have but didn't bother to,
heard my concern about my weight gain, and reflected on my anemia.
Knowing that I don't eat the standard schlock ( no land animals, no
sugar, no white bread, for 40 years) and that
I'm lactose intolerant ( no pizza, cheese, ice cream, whipped cream,
no cow's milk for 16 years) and caffeine sensitive (2 years), he
referred me to a nutritionist.
The day before my appointment, I had a fit-- they were going to grade
my street --- whacky in that it is one of the few pothole free
stretches in town. I was worried about how i would get on the school
bus that would take me to the nutritionist.
It was challenging, and all my worst fears were realized.... but
fortunately i had a kind man as busdriver who guided my wheel chair
off the sidewalk and into the street to get to the lift.
When i got to the doctor's office --- on a hill outside of town in
gang mills in a facility called healthworks, the receptionist asked
me if i was a diabetic or had renal failure.. . no i said looking for
wood to knock on, being paralyzed with its attendant problems is
quite enough.
She did something with some papers checked on my identity and asked
me again if i were diabetic, No I said. Then she went away for about
5 minutes came back and told me I couldn't see the nutritionist
unless i wanted to pay out of pocket.
What? but i was referred.
Medicare doesn't cover the nutritionist unless you are diabetic or
have renal failure.
The out of pocket cost for the consultation is $350.00. I don't have
a spare $350.00.
Returning home was a beautiful ride seeing again the wide summer dry
river and the green hills bright
in the strong sun, but as we approached my side/ back, my driveway
was blocked by a car.... and so getting me off the lift and onto the
sidewalk was another struggle. I felt again the anger and frustration
that I was disallowed a handicapped parking sign the would guarrantee
me access to either my front or back door, but this was just ancient
timber sparked by the day's denial.
I recently listened to a lecture about how the US spends the most
money in the world on healthcare, but has one of the worst
outcomes/results/performances.
"
* The United States ranks 43rd in lowest infant
mortality rate, down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990. Source: CIA
Factbook (2008)
* Life expectancy at birth in the US is an average of
78.14 years, which ranks 47th in highest total life expectancy
compared to other countries. Source: CIA Factbook (2008)"
I wish I didn't need help, because I'm not getting any.
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