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.

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 defriended a friend of mine from college last month who's an ER doctor in Arkansas, because she was laughing on FB with other doctors about drug seekers and how hilarious they were. Screw them. Seriously.

I had to lead a big, all-day meeting in Greensboro today, which is an hour away, and we had ice overnight, and I was over an hour late. NSM because of the weather, but because I just couldn't get my shit together, and had a really hard time sleeping. They started without me, naturally, since I was so ultra-late. I was really stressed out about it, and just wanting to be home and here on the board, and then we were touring UNC-G this afternoon, and they were having a poster sale in the Student Union. and the main display poster was a truly giant poster of the Winchester brothers. I almost left the tour behind to dig my phone out and take a picture. So, ita was with me today, even though I couldn't be here.

So great to see so many old faces around here, sporadic poster that I am.

Betsy that is wonderful news!

Surgery ~ma, Sean, and bonus mom ~ma, Kiba.

Oh, you'd better believe I see what you did there, missy.

Just for you, Teppy. Cause, honestly, what we have been doing for the last day and a half has been reaching into the past to inform past members of the community. "Contact" feels so cold. I like the mental image of us gently reaching out and pulling those, who want to be pulled, back into our orbit.

And thanks to those who e-mailed katefate. And all the other folks who have been part of this wonderful place.

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.

A well-written evocative piece in a major news/entertainment magazine would be really helpful, I think.