P was offered an eight-week temporary work assignment on campus. It's awesome because, aside from generating some much needed cash, it still leaves July and August open for our visitors, summer jaunts, etc. By the time it ends she should know whether or not she'll be in school in the fall; meaning that she'll then know whether she's looking for part-time or full-time work. Hallelujah!! What a relief that is!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Okay, but you know me and of course it's not all good news. I have an interesting tale that is, simultaneously, both the upside and the downside of New Brunswick health care. A number of months ago I received a notice, since I'm over 50, telling me to schedule a mammogram. Even though I'd had one in the US in late 2007, I wasn't going to not go and risk having it being another two years before I could be seen. This is a program aimed at insuring that all women of a certain age get screened, something that, I'm told, has been a problem here. So, in mid-March off I went, down to Oromocto for the x-rays. A few weeks later I received a phone call telling me that I was scheduled for a follow-up imaging at the hospital in Fredericton. Okay. No other info, just that they wanted a follow-up. So, I wait two longggg weeks and yesterday I went to the hospital here.
The facility here does digital imaging; an approach many find preferable to the old-fashioned x-ray because of the way they can work with it on the monitor. After the images are taken, the tech tells me to wait outside until the doctor can take a look as they might want to do an ultrasound or take more images. Earlier she had said something vague about just wanting more images. I finally said, "So, let's be clear. Did they see something that prompted them to want more images? Or, were they just not happy with the quality of the first images?" She still gave me the vague answer. But, I know that the techs are advised to really say nothing. So, I waited. She called me back in and said that they didn't need any more images, but that the doctor wanted me to schedule another exam in six months, rather than the usual year. But, get this...
The doctor at the hospital can't order the exam. And, since I don't have a family doctor, and may not get one in this lifetime, here's what I have to do. In about two weeks - presumably to let the record of yesterday's visit get in the system - I have to go to an after hours clinic, tell them what the hospital said, have a manual exam, and have them order a mammogram for six months from now. Am I nuts or is that not about the biggest waste of time - not for me, mind you - but for the medical professional I'll see at the after hours clinic? Why the hell can't the reviewing physician/radiologist at the hospital just order a frickin' follow-up mammogram?
So, the "upside" is that I was seen at all. I have now had two mammograms courtesy of New Brunswick Medicare. The "downside" is that I got vague responses to my questions regarding their concerns and now I have to play this stupid game to get a follow-up exam scheduled. Good heavens. No wonder this place doesn't have any money and can't attract doctors.
But, there you have it. The latest. I'm here. I'm keeping up with those of you on the blog roll. But, between taxes, the house, health care, and work (or lack thereof), things were a bit, uh, well, beyond challenging. I have never been accused of being an optimist, but I have to believe that things are going to start looking up. Seriously. It's gotta happen.
I don't know how frequently I'll post, probably just when I have something specific to report. But, who knows. I mean, hey, Iowa is marrying gay and lesbian couples. You just never know what's going to happen!
Clarification: No, that last paragraph doesn't mean we're leaving! What I meant to imply was just that I never imagined Iowa would have same-sex marriage so, who knows, I may post again sooner than I think.
4 comments:
Yea for the good news! My two longest careers started as a temp.
Thanks for sharing the information about the mammos. Guess I'll be traveling that road in Canada given my history.
Post as often as you feel. I'll be watching!
We'll take any news: The good, the bad and the in-between.
Yay to "P" on the gig . . . .
I just got scheduled for a mammo at Oromocto. I'm glad they do digital in Fredericton. My mother died of breast cancer, so I've been through this drill a number of times in the States--the re-testing, second mammos, ultrasounds, etc. It's really nerve wracking, and sometimes it seemed unnecessary. "Just being cautious" they would say. But making you go to a clinic just to get another appointment is ridiculous. However, you're right--there is an upside. Vicky is between jobs right now and so am I, yet we have been able to get medical care right through with no interruptions. That's the difference between the US and here. V starts a new job at a nursing home in Black's Harbor mid-May, but we no longer depend on her job for health care, so she's only working part-time. What a relief.
That last sentence did sound ominous! Good thing you clarified. :)
Great news re the P gig.
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