American Healthcare is Killing My Stepfather

When we got back from Paris, I found a message from my mother that tests had revealed that my stepfather, Bob, had a mass on his liver. He needed a biopsy to determine if it is cancer or not. The CT and ultrasound that revealed all this were done 2 weeks ago. As of today, he has still not had the biopsy.

A week was lost waiting for Medicare to "approve" the biopsy. Shouldn't that be a no-brainer? A biopsy for liver cancer (or any type of cancer) shouldn't need approval, it should just happen! At any rate, the approval came through last Friday. We foolishly assumed he would have the biopsy this week.

As of today, the hospital has still not been able to schedule it! First, the radiology lab needed to send over his test results. Except they didn't have a messenger, so they couldn't do it. They called my parents and asked if Bob could pick them up and take them to the hospital. This is the man who has lost over 18 pounds in the last few weeks and is in severe pain from whatever is going on. Is that the best the lab could do?

Now, the reports are at the hospital and STILL no appointment. Next week is July 4th and we all know how much will get done then. Bob needs to have lab work done a week before the procedure, so we're looking at maybe another 2 weeks before he can have an answer about whether he has liver cancer or not. That will mean it is a month between the time "something" was found and when he can begin treatment.

If it IS liver cancer (a very strong possibility) a month is a LONG time to delay treatment. It could mean the difference between life and death. My parents are living in a horrible nightmare of stress and uncertainty, as are JM and I.

The system is cruel and unyielding. This should not be taking so long.

Ciao for now.

Randy

Possum Lunch and New Neighborly Tradition

We had our second quarterly Possumworld /Euro Tribune Lunch in Carcassonne this past Saturday. We were surprised and delighted to have quite a good crowd: 15 in all!

It was terrific to see friends who had joined us at the first lunch (John and Helen from Euro Trib), Possumworld Forum members 5-Element and Ishtar (and family), Trevor and Michelle from near Puivert, Americans Phil and AnneMarie (whom I met while shopping at Leclerc the other day) and Colman and his wife from Euro Trib who were visiting from Ireland.

Having a mixed group made for lively conversation and I'm afraid the Brasserie at the Terminus thought we were never going to leave. I'm sure I saw the wait staff breathe a sigh of relief when we finally walked out the door at 4:00!

I'm looking forward to our next gathering in September (if family problems don't interfere by forcing us to make a trip to Los Angeles).

We got home in time to finish getting things ready for the new tradition that I seem to have started last December. The Potluck Gathering has taken hold in our little corner of Chalabre, and this time a dozen neighbors gathered to inaugurate Didier and Mireille's newly redecorated dining room. They did a splendid job, btw.

I'm so glad that this type of thing seems to please our friends. No one has to do all the work and the host and hostess get to relax with the guests instead of spending all their time in the kitchen getting food ready.

I'm afraid that JM and I were the party poopers this time around and left around 10 to walk dogs then turn in for the night. But I heard that the last guests didn't leave until 11:30, so clearly the night was a great success.

Once again I suggest you try this with your neighbors. You'll be glad that you did.

Ciao for now,

Randy