I think no one who's a patient advocate would ever make it as high as head of ER. It's all about cost-effectiveness and covering the department and hospital's ass from any hint of lawsuit. You get a bean-counter who has no frame of human suffering for reference.

That pretty much applies in every field these days, I think.

I know ER doctors, one of whom is actually the director of an ER. And he would not give a shit about one patient's story. He's incredibly callous, he does think all patients who ask for pain meds are drug-seeking, and has a pretty dim view of the fellow humans he's supposed to heal.

I understand David's impulse. I want one of those people to really see ita and know what they did to her.

In honor of ita, the blood test I just got took three sticks.

I understand David's impulse.

Oh, I understand it, too. It just feels so futile. And, again, I know I'm being cynical and grief-y and tired.

I can probably stop railing about the healthcare system. For now.

So much this. My mother's brain tumors were not caught because her doctor wrote off her increased pain as drug seeking and cut back her migraine meds.

Oh god, this is terrible. Honestly, that's got to be malpractice.

It's a whole mindset that's got to change. Not only about how much drugs to give and when, but to whom, and who "deserves" pain relief and who's probably lying.

I remember Melisa saying, what difference does it make if I get addicted to the drugs? I'm going to have to be taking them for the rest of my life, which is probably going to be short anyway; why does it even matter if I'm addicted to them? I thought it was a reasonable point.

(Not in bed yet, I know)

A friend of mine is doing something amazing right now. While the healthcare system is Israel is better, privatization and not enough budgets made it go from OK to shabby in the past few years (for example: number of doctors and nurses positions in hospitals didn't change appropriately since 1972, while the population has doubled).

After going through a lot of troubles over a back surgery, she started collecting letters from people who have had the rough end of the stick of the healthcare system. She's sending them, 2-3 times a week, to the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and to the Prime Minister's office. Solely but surely, she got press attention, and the Minsters' attention. It's really an amazing project.

I can't even think about the clusterfuck that is pain management in this country right now. It makes me so angry, not just for ita, but for everyone else that needs it. It's wrapped up in so many layers that have nothing to do with pain, and people suffer needlessly.

I celebrate Betsy's good news for her husband and son. I celebrate the cat on my lap, purring. I celebrate temperatures in the double-digits. I celebrate the blessing that is community.

Talking as a person who's in the health care field, I gotta agree with most folks. The ones that get promoted to head positions are people who make for effective administrators. Their emphasis is on bottom lines, cost-cutting, getting grants, and avoiding lawsuits. Compassionate patient care trail behind these by a significant distance.

To a consumer advocacy or health care reporter might also help, especially if you could find one who either is a migraineur/euse or knows and loves one would also help.

This sounds like something that may lead to some results. Threats of negative publicity can be an extremely effective motivator.

Skimmed a ton.

So, all about the ME now...rgh, what an asshome I am.

I've got this HULK SMASH! howl just aching to get loose. Class was a treat, gotta tell ya, with the idiocy of other people and the sincere ineffectiveness of the teacher. Nice lady, but HULK FUCKING SMASH!

Honestly, just not in the mood today, you know?

So, that's the what with ME. As I said, I skimmed; who needs some hugs/laughs/good thoughts? Ginger, I know you've had some rough times. So ((hugs)) from Miracleman, through the interwebs.

Anyone else? I'm done with the ME stuff.