No fancy-schmancy photos today. Just a little commentary.
I live in a rural area in what is known as Deep East Texas. That's near but not the same as East Texas. Only 65,000 people live in the whole county, over half of them in the county seat which is about 24 miles from my home out in the middle of nowhere on. Modern medicine, however, has come to America's rural communities and since I arrived here almost two years ago I've been very impressed with the quality of our medical care. Shortly after getting here I had to have surgery to decompress a nerve in my elbow and my surgeon was a board-certified orthopedist who graduated from Duke University. My mother sees a cardiologist who has a very good reputation, even on a national scale, although I would never see him since we have clashing personalities. Recently my internist, a young woman who is from India but who speaks perfect English, dresses like a Hollywood starlet, received her training in New York and is also board-certified, scheduled me for a nuclear stress test since I managed to miserably fail a treadmill stress test. I was surprised when I was told the test would be conducted in her office. When I arrived there this morning I saw this van in the parking lot. In fact, I saw two! The whole thing took three and a half hours and I and about nine others had the test in her office, with the technicians and all the necessary equipment being provided by a mobile unit. We have two hospitals here, with about two-thirds of the county's population preferring one and wouldn't be caught alive in the other and the last third who would opt to travel 80 miles to Tyler or 150 miles to Houston or Dallas. My mother has been through colon cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, a stroke, several heart attacks, the placement of five cardiac stents, all treated locally and she's still ticking and kicking at age 91. The wonderful thing about small town medicine? Rapid diagnosis and treatment. One day five years ago my Mom found blood in her urine. She called her primary doc, the cardiologist. He got her in to see a urologist the next day. By 2 p.m. she had a diagnosis. She was admitted to the hospital the following day for surgery. In a large city that scenario would literally take weeks! So I give a hearty applause for the quality of today's medicine in rural America - at least the rural America where I live.
18 comments:
that is good to hear. and, wow, has your mom been thru it!
Your mother is one tough woman! Your health care can compete beautifully with any large city...or even our Mayo clinic. Probably is a notch better!
SOUNDS GOOD to me though we also have had about the same experiences where we live. Getting one from home to the hospital is a trial but our local guys have pulled it off without a hitch dozens of times. I am thankful for that.
this is great news and all new for me to see the mobile unit, but it makes good sense to me. they might ought to do this in the city and towns because the doctor offices would not have to pay for all that equipment. we have so many cardiologist here and they all have the equipment and it cost a fortune. we are 2 miles from our hospital and 3 miles from the other and both are good. amazing how your mom has been through so much..
I hope you did well on the test.
Here in Prescott, we have waited for 4 to 6 months to get in to see a specialist. We are not what I would call rural anymore.
It is amazing to hear how well things go in such a rural area. Please tell me everything went well with your stress test.
I'm impressed with the medical care you receive. I live in a village which is still quite rural although the city is moving closer and closer at a rapid pace. We also receive excellent care...in spite of what I hear some people in the U.S. claim is some sort of terrible system. Hmmm. Some people do seem to "own their own facts." ;))
Oh, I forgot to say that your mom sounds amazing! My goodness, she truly has lived through a lot.
Glad to hear you have good medical care in your rural area! Wow, you mom has been through a lot.
This is really good to hear. Getting in to see a doctor here is a real test in patience. I recently had a little mishap with some medications that conflicted with each other. I tried calling the doctor's office but, was on hold then told to schedule an appointment so I just got in the car and drove to the office. They saw me immediately. It sounds like you are getting some great service where you are.
Hats off to the great medical team you have. My best wishes for your mother!
Your poor mom. This looks like a new way to make housecalls.
Fantastic post. Good to know there is medical care available way out there.
What a post Kathy! Every newspaper would love to print it.
And the car design is ...fancy!
Around here seeing a specialist takes MONTHS not weeks. I think you have better medical care. We might have the big name drs and hospitals, but getting in to see them is impossible. AND THEN you have all those interns poking a prodding you that an appointment takes hours before you even see the dr.
That's really wonderful, Kathy! I am so glad you feel so confident about the care there.
I can vouch for the wait. Diagnosis Sept 5, three weeks until Vanderbilt appointment, another three weeks for PET scan, another week for biopsy. Still no date for starting treatment.
My hubby and I live in the Country as well.
Service is great here and the
Specialsit and hospital are all
top priorties as well. beats the city hazzles. Plus the waits. I
am a keeper in Country living.
Your Mom has sure been through
the mill. Yet she is here to day
to bless you and others. Bless
her heart.My Mom lived to be 95
and dad 96.
Enjoy your blogs and all your info.
I am a new browser on your page.
I do plan to add you or be your
follower if you are on my
league.
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