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It always seems like Thanksgiving is the time we pause to give thanks.  But this year, I'm doing it at the end of December.  Bear with me!

I really hate to see 2006 go!  It has been a phenomenal year for me and I am so thankful for it.  2004 was terrible -- the worst year of my life from affairs of the heart to medical nightmares (that was the year of my misdiagnosis), I was thrilled when 2004 ended.  Then 2005, a year of transitions, came along.  It was a year of pulling myself back up on my feet, using all my chutpah and where-withall to get my life back in order.

But 2006 -- it's been remarkably wonderful.  Two huge events in February -- my column started running in the Post Standard.  And even bigger (personally!) I met Butch, the man who makes my heart sing!  In May, only 101 days later, we got married (and for a woman who had been divorced for 18 years, that's saying something!)  We still feel like we are honeymooning every day.

In June was the launch of HealthLink on Air, my radio show, underwritten by University Hospital in Syracuse.  It's a LOT of work, but very very satisfying, and a great way to learn about the medical information patients need to know.

My daughters are both well and happy. My first book is coming along nicely.  My friends and family are doing as well as can be expected.

Yes -- I'm sorry to see 2006 go.  I wish us ALL the best of health and happiness in 2007.

.........................................

And a quick update on my mother-in-law.  Surgery this week went well and she's holding her own.  She's a tough old bird!  And I'm proud of her for fighting.  Our prayers are plentiful.

Here's an update on my mother-in-law.  She is such a trooper!  Diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she will undergo surgery next week, then chemo for about six months.  At 86, it won't be easy, but she things she's up to the task.  Good for her!

She'll spend Christmas in the hospital.  Most of the family will be out of town, but she'll have plenty of friends and loved ones around.  Surgery will take place the day after Christmas.  My prayers will be with her and her surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and other support staff.

A big concern -- MRSA -- that staf infection that could cause big problems for her if she acquires it, as so many people do in hospitals.  According to the government, 90,000 people die each year in American hospitals because they acquire the infection.  I've printed off some material from the CDC, plus my column, for my sister-in-law, Karin, who is my mother-in-law's advocate.  As long as Karin keeps insisting everyone wash their hands, there should be no problem.

And an update on conversations -- my complaint on Dec 18 -- we've rectified that situation, and dignity reigns once again.

My mother-in-law, Helen,  has been hospitalized.  It breaks my heart.  She's 86 years old, and her body is failing her.  Her children, son-in-law and I just wait, wait, wait while they run tests, tests, tests -- but the bottom line is that she is elderly, frail, and making her comfortable and keeping a smile on her face, are about the best we can do for her.

I give my sister-in-law, Karin, credit for her caretaking.  She stays by Helen's side in the hospital, and keeps track of everything that's going on.  It's not easy -- there are so many doctors and support staff that knowing who is doing what, and when the results will be available.  She's been doing this for years, and I do give her credit for it.

But I fault her for something, too. When we visit or call the hospital, and Karin is there (as she is for hours each day) -- she talks about Helen as if Helen isn't right there -- only 3 feet away.  And she says such negative things right in front of her, like the fact that she told her daughter (who lives in another state) not to order a roast for Christmas dinner (a week away) because she didn't know whether Mom would make it that long.

Now seriously -- Helen is awake, and sharp enough to pick up most of what's being discussed.  Even if she doesn't remember every word spoken, she hears it all.  Even if she's sleeping, subconsciously she knows what's going on and being talked about.  She's processing it all -- and I can't imagine it's helpful for her to hear her own daughter saying that!  And that's just one example.

When I campaign for advocacy, partnering, and responsibility, I do so for those who are vital, who have an opportunity to heal, for those who will get healthier someday. 

But for Helen, and other elderly people whose bodies just can't hold up much longer, no amount of doctor-partnering and researching will prolong a good quality life.  Instead, for them, I pray for comfort, quality of what's-left-of- life, respect and dignity. 

And here, within my own family -- looks like I'll need to step up to this plate.  Clearly the concepts of respect and dignity are lacking.  Helen may not heal -- but she certainly deserves to be included in our conversations, and her feelings need to be respected, above all else.

Patient consumers in Central New York will benefit today from my Post Standard column about choosing their health insurance carrier for next year.

I'll confess that it was a frustrating experience just writing it!  Some of the insurance people I talked to were very helpful and provided the info I needed without much prodding. 

Others pretended to care -- but ultimately they provided no information -- and I HOPE READERS TAKE HEED! 

In particular, Aetna and MVP get singled out here for not providing any information.  It's not that I didn't find the right person.  In both cases, I spoke to the right person who said s/he would be supplying the information to me -- by December 1.  Today is December 12, and I have not heard back from either one, despite repeated attempts by phone and email.

Here's the thing:  if they know I'm going to publish information that a hundred thousand people or more will read, and that can help them get new customers,  or hurt them because they ignore the request for input -- wouldn't you think they would take a few minutes to make sure I had good information about their companies?

You can be sure I will not choose either Aetna or MVP to provide my insurance next year!  What I know is that if I have a request for a coverage, they will be non-responsive.  And I hope you, as consumers, choose another company, too.  They don't care what you think, and they won't help you if you need help. 

Agents for either company -- Aetna or MVP -- should be upset too.  They will lose business for non-responsiveness on the part of their carriers.

Healthcare, and in particular insurance coverage, will not improve in this country until we, as patient-consumers, begin to demand to be heard.  This is one way to do so.

And kudos to Excellus (Blue Cross and Blue Shield), GHI, POMCO, RMSCO and United HealthCare.  While not all of them provided exactly what I asked for, they did respond.  That's a step in the right direction.

Last night I did my HealthLink workshop, Choosing Doctor Right.  Each time I do one of my presentations, there is a question that takes me by surprise.  So this is the one that took me by surprise last night:

"When I decide to see another doctor, what do I have to tell the one I'm leaving?"

It's a question borne of someone who is very polite -- a plus -- but who hasn't made the leap, yet, to patient-as-consumer.  A good question -- and an easy answer.

You owe no explanation whatsoever to the doctor you're leaving -- unless you want to give one. No matter what the reason you are leaving, if you don't want to provide an explanation -- then don't!  You owe an explanation to no one. Simply request copies of your records, and make an appointment to see a new and different doctor. 

However -- if you can bring yourself to share the reason you are leaving, then do it.  From a customer service perspective, it will help the doctor you are leaving if you tell him/her why you are doing so.  You may possibly make that doctor a better doctor.

Leaving the care of a professional who has taken care of us isn't easy.  Heck -- leaving a hairdresser for a new one, or even a mechanic isn't easy, much less someone who has inspected the naked parts of us! 

But there is never any sense to seeing a doctor who can't do what you need him/her to do -- so walk when you want to, and don't worry about what the doctor thinks of you.  It's HIS/HER loss.

http://haloscan.com/tb/microkim/116494910881862451

This page from a blog by a young medical student named Kim gives me hope that there are up and coming doctors who will "get" that being a good doctor means more than just graduating from medical school.

My next column will be about being a good consumer when it comes to choosing your health insurance.  I've done quite a bit of research -- meaning -- I've asked for input from friends and acquaintances -- and holycow.

I'm astounded at the feedback I've gotten from people who tell me that they just choose the insurance plan that takes the least amount of money from their paychecks each month.  Or, they really don't want to spend time figuring it out, so they never assess their needs -- they just go with the plan they've always had.  Are you kidding?

What too many of them haven't figured out is that it might be the most expensive insurance for them, by the time they get through the year. 

Here's an example: 

One plan is $25 less per month, so my friend Jim chose that one.  But he also takes a drug that, without insurance, costs $130 per month.  The 'less expensive' plan he chose designates his drug as a non-preferred drug;  meaning his co-pay is the highest amount.  By the time he really does do the math, he's actually paying an extra $100 or more a year!

Even beyond the cost, I have some other thoughts to share that did not wind up in my column (hate those word limits... ;-) ....

One new plan offers a $ 300 reimbursement for joining a health club.  But if I'm doing my math right, that plan costs me $500 more per year to participate?  Hey -- my math isn't too bad, but crunching these numbers does make my head spin.

Then it occurred to me that an alternative to a high-deductible plan (which I used to have and cost me a fortune) -- might be to take all that money and purchase lotto or scratch-off lottery tickets.  Think about it.  As a single person, my monthly premium could be $375/month.  That's $4500/year.  Then, the deductible is another $2500, so before I get decent coverage, I've paid $7000.  So suppose I bought $7000 worth of lotto tickets each year instead?  What are the odds I would WIN money, instead of it all COSTING me money?  what are the changes I would come out ahead instead of behind?  Just a thought.  I think the odds are probably pretty bad -- but it does make for an interesting question, doesn't it?

Anyway -- watch for the column on 12/14.  Or sign up to be notified and you'll get it through email.... 

    We've moved! 

Find all new blog entries here:  http://everypatientsadvocate.com/blog

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Why do I do this work?

•  BLOG ARCHIVES  •

November 2006

October 2006

September 2006

•  EPA LINKS  •

ExpertClick.com

HealthBoards.com

AllExperts.com

Amber Smith's blog
from Syracuse.com

•  OTHER LINKS  •
(about patient experiences, safety, consumerism
or advocacy)

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