I’m really glad I sparked this discussion! It’s wonderful to see people stepping up to share their positive experiences. Honestly, I suspect there are many more success stories out there; it’s just that those people don't necessarily feel the need to shout about them. On a personal note, having dealt with similar health struggles within my own family, I can’t say enough good things about the doctors and nurses working in the oncology clinics. They truly deserve so much credit. The mental toll of the work they do is immense, yet they handle everything with such incredible professionalism. Eventually, when I have a moment, I’ll address some of the insults that have been thrown around here, and I’ll make sure my points are well-reasoned. Just a quick thought on the Ana Rukavina foundation—to me, it feels like just another rushed project that will never truly take root here in the States. I doubt it will raise sufficient funds, and I suspect the individuals who were supported might not step up when it's time to give back, since for them, it was all just a temporary crisis. Most importantly, this specific model of support is being phased out; by the time a fund like this actually becomes fully operational in ten years, the method itself will likely be obsolete. It feels like another failed initiative. I’d love to be proven wrong, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Being sharp in practice means exactly what you all are pointing out, but that isn't just localized to this one area. The whole country is set up this way—it feels like money, arrogance, and sheer audacity are the only things that get rewarded, while actual expertise, hard work, and genuine effort aren't even considered desirable anymore.
One more thing, and this is really important. As a patient, you have the right to choose your own doctor. You also have the freedom to seek treatment anywhere in the United States. I truly believe the foundation of successful medical care is the trust between a patient and their physician; without that connection, you just end up with frustration on both sides and a whole lot of unnecessary stress. If you aren't feeling that bond, it’s better to find a new doctor or even move to a different city for care. Just please, try not to dismiss professionals who have spent years building their expertise and are doing their absolute best to take care of you.
briskskipper71 said:I don't think anyone on this thread has been attacking anyone—honestly, if you can't offer helpful advice, it's better to stay quiet and hope you never find yourself needing to look into topics like this for your own sake or for those you love most.
It’s true that there is constant bashing directed at doctors and medical professionals here. It isn't just happening now, either; it has happened many times before. People throw out harsh falsehoods, call for "confrontations" with physicians, and exhibit really uncivil behavior. That is absolutely not okay. And yet, you are advising this lady to be aggressive toward them. The lady you're addressing mentioned that when she had her initial CT scan, she was told the tumor wasn't showing growth. However, she didn't provide the two subsequent CT scans that actually showed regression. Instead, the current CT is being compared back to that very first one. So, who is actually at fault here—the patient who isn't providing her full medical records, or the radiologist? She also noted that the bronchoscopy went well, thank God, and she's just waiting on the cytology results from the pleural effusion. What more was the doctor supposed to say? He provided everything clearly, without rushing the information, and in a perfectly professional manner. Once the cytology results come in, she will have that information too. No one is going to hide anything from her, unless the patient specifically requests that certain details not be shared with their family, which is something we have to respect. My impression was that this forum was created to serve as a form of psychological support for patients and their families, rather than a place to "show off" medical knowledge or find ways to smear the professionals who are trying to help you in any capacity.
briskskipper71 said:Rose, I am so incredibly sorry you're going through this, especially with how the doctors are handling your husband's diagnosis. You have every right to know exactly what is happening with his health. My advice? Sit down face-to-face with the doctor and demand clarity. Don't let them dance around the subject or give you false hope—ask them straight up what can be done and where you can turn for help. Be firm and assertive; they owe you the truth. Sending you all my best wishes.
Honestly, everyone, I just can't believe what I'm reading here. What century are we living in? Nowadays, transparency is the standard. While they might not share every single detail with the patient depending on the situation, the family should always be kept in the loop—especially when dealing with a serious illness. The family deserves to know everything, provided they are willing to listen and understand. If people struggle to grasp medical information, that's one thing, but you don't have the right to constantly lash out at the medical staff or spread misinformation.
That’s exactly what I was thinking. You have to know where the lines are drawn—you need to understand your responsibilities and clearly know the difference between what’s acceptable and what isn't. Having a solid set of rules to live by is essential. It's really something you should learn from the time you're just a kid.
I don't think kids today are any more spoiled than previous generations. If anything, I believe children need more affection because they only get one childhood. The real issue we're facing is that a significant number of kids today are growing up without proper guidance or social support. A child is essentially a mirror of their parents; whatever they witness and hear at home is exactly what they’ll carry out into the playground or the classroom. Our society has shifted in a way where hard work, genuine success, and actual knowledge aren't really respected anymore—instead, they often become targets for ridicule. Nowadays, it feels like all that matters is the money in your pocket, regardless of how you actually earned it. Rudeness is everywhere, both within families and out in public, so why should we be surprised by how children behave?
I wanted to make one more quick correction regarding VT or V-fib. Using amiodarone combined with DC is definitely the preferred way to go. You could technically use Xylocaine for VT, though that’s becoming a bit old-school. As for epinephrine, it really isn't the first choice for this, though I suppose in an environment filled with bystanders, that distinction doesn't matter much as much as just getting something done
First things first—I’m not here to bash the system I work in. That’s not how lawyers or professors behave, and it's not how I do. Now, don't get me wrong, there are certainly irregularities, especially at the primary care level. In the US, we see about 30% of patients handled through outpatient clinics while 70% end up being treated within hospitals, which is actually the opposite of what you typically see in the broader European situation. Part of this setup comes down to legal regulations, but honestly, it's also about convenience for family doctors. They don't feel the need for extra training, nor do they want to deal with the added overhead. I won't get bogged down in the weeds here, but I truly believe there isn't a better healthcare system than ours. When I see people living in places like Switzerland, Sweden, or Denmark coming in for checkups here in the States and picking up their prescriptions, they are often using medications that we haven't even prescribed here for twenty years. And where else in the world does an ambulance drive a patient 50 miles just for a routine injection or a simple bandage change? Sometimes it happens daily! Or look at how many hospitals have essentially turned into nursing homes, where neglected, dehydrated seniors are dropped off by "concerned" sons and daughters who only show up because they were threatened with being sent back to their hometown if they didn't hospitalize their parents. It’s a real issue; we even have instances where, upon discharging these elderly patients, we have to call the police to track down relatives because the address provided doesn't even exist. If there's one thing, though, it's that in this country, doctors are pretty much the only profession without strong professional organizations to look out for their interests and protect their rights. One more thing: my mother spent three whole hours last week waiting for a referral for a follow-up, and that was despite her daughter being a doctor. So, before anyone tries to lecture me about "connections" or favoritism, let's get that straight.
In the US, we see about 200,000 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year who don't even get surgery, let alone other essential treatments, simply because their health insurance won't cover it.
It’s an interesting observation, but in my experience, the biggest critics of our healthcare system are often the ones who never contribute a dime to it. They haven't invested a single cent into the system, yet they sure are the loudest when it comes to complaining. It’s always something—not enough referrals, not enough medication, or not enough specialist tests. Some of them can barely sign their own names, yet they walk around acting like all the medical professionals are incompetent while wandering aimlessly from one clinic to another. Everyone wants to claim their rights and demand service, but nobody seems to feel any responsibility toward managing their own health. Honestly, it’s like nobody has any clue, nor do they care, about the actual cost of a single diagnostic test or the medications they're prescribed. And don't even get me started on how much staff are paid; a doctor's hourly rate is $10, which is actually less than what you'd pay a local hairstylist or a plumber. It’s honestly pretty pathetic. As for any major reorganization of the healthcare system, I don't see that ever happening. Any administration brave enough to try and overhaul the whole thing would probably be voted out of office overnight.
Gregory Gomez45, I really have to hand it to you—I am right there with you on this one. You laid everything out so calmly and clearly, though I sometimes wonder if people here actually grasp the gravity of it all. Because our healthcare system is essentially "free" at the point of service, we’re stuck in this cycle where it’ll likely stay for a long time. That’s why we see so many expensive medications just tossed in the trash, why half the population ends up getting unnecessary checkups, and why about 80% of those CT scans end up being totally redundant. As for the parking situation, that falls under the city's jurisdiction, not the hospitals.
Maybe you’re just missing the point here. If your mom already used up her dedicated health insurance funds, then figuring out how to pick up her prescriptions is on you—just like how dealing with a parking fee is a personal responsibility. Honestly, if you're that frustrated, why not start a petition to get Medicare to cover free parking? Who knows, maybe it might actually go somewhere!
Maybe you’d actually appreciate all these medications more if you had to foot the bill yourself, rather than having Medicare cover everything from the prescriptions to the parking fees. Honestly, where does the human stupidity end?
I think you've got that backwards—just take a look at what doctors are making over in Canada. It honestly feels pretty silly to constantly compare our situation to places like Bulgaria or Albania. Plus, while picking up extra shifts might help you live a slightly more comfortable lifestyle, it’s definitely not going to make you rich.
Honestly, what is this country going to do with its doctors? Just take a look at these "brilliant" responses in the health threads—everyone thinks they’re an expert and knows everything.
If you’re on the thinner side—which, let’s be honest, most of us are—it’s actually pretty common to feel your abdominal aorta pulsing. It’s totally normal.
vividorca45 said:Oh, absolutely! 😁 You’ll want to mix two parts olive oil (regular vegetable oil works fine too) with three parts kerosene. Slather it all over your head and wrap it up tightly—it's best if you can sleep with it on. And please, for heaven's sake, stay far away from any open flames! 😬
Your "measure" can be anything you have handy—a coffee mug, a small bottle, whatever makes sense to you. Once it has sat for a few hours, give your hair a really thorough wash with shampoo and rinse it out well. You can repeat the process if needed, but honestly, I don't think you'll have to. We managed to clear up our ear issues in just one go using this method. Before that, we spent almost three weeks messing around with all sorts of different products, not to mention the nightmare of washing bedsheets every other day, ironing everything constantly, and trying to disinfect the mattress. It was such a headache.
I really hope this works for you!
Thanks so much! I'm going to try this right away because these pests are becoming an absolute nightmare to deal with.