Confessions of an Alien

Confession time.  I haven't been to a doctor for the best part of 20 years (not entirely true, I will explain my lies later, but for now rest assured the 2 times I have crossed paths with a doctor in that time were not really for medical reasons).  This hasn't been a conscious thing.  I just haven't felt the need to go.  I guess in my (alien) head that means I haven't been "ill" enough to warrant the trip.


So lets go back to that time...no real relevance, but it's nice to reminisce!  I would guess I was about 15.  I had the pleasure of attending a boarding school.  There were lots of "scraps" (fights) at boarding school.  It sounds worse than it was, we really weren't fighting that hard.  I think it surprised him more than me.  Anyway, one broken wrist later, I was carted off to the emergency room, x-rayed, plastered and sent on my way.  Maybe 3 or 4 weeks later, I went back, plaster off, MRI to check for complications, all clear and I'm right as rain.

In hindsight some things strike me about that experience.  Firstly, this happened in a country with a nationalized health system.  This did not cost me or my family (aliens have families too), anything directly out of our pocket.  Yes, argue away that we paid for it indirectly through taxes or otherwise, but at no point did I or my family have to reach for a credit card or check book to pay for that particular set of treatments.  I am not saying anything about whether I agree with that or not at this point.  It is merely an observation.  Secondly, there was no questioning of the treatment that was carried out.  This was a broken wrist.  Trust me, there was no doubt as it hurt like hell.  The procedure for fixing it, I'm assuming, is pretty standard and I felt totally comfortable with the treatment I received.

Jump forward 20 years to my next hospital experience.  Take 1 girlfriend, 1 birthday cake, 1 extremely sharp chefs knife and (relevant or not I don't know) a few glasses of champagne and suddenly you too may find yourself having to deal with a near amputation of the upper part of the thumb.  Off to the emergency room again for an altogether different experience.  One where, despite having medical insurance, I had to reach for my credit card, one that ended up costing us thousands of dollars and one where I found myself having to question the treatments being administered to the patient.

I've fooled you though, I'm not interested (at this point) in debating the merits of socialized versus private health care (although if you want to give me your opinion please do!).  What this has highlighted to me though is that I don't want to automatically trust a doctor, even one with a good reputation.  You're all saying "duh!" I know.  But remember, this alien hasn't been to a doctor for 20 years, and I was under the illusion that I could trust a doctor...and now I'm in a situation where I don't want to go to a doctor, because I don't trust them, but I feel I should go and get a checkup so that I don't have to trust them for something more serious!!!

I think my alien head just exploded.

Maybe I'll ponder some more for the time being....

Fred
#8-)