kbordson

Yesterday, I used travelocity just to check which airlines flew into a certain city. Then I went direct to that airlines website. The US Airways flight was $50 cheaper AND was just one airline (the travelocity plan had me not only switching planes, but also switching airlines! In Ohare! which could be quite a hop from one plane to the other!)

And it looks like the ever touted dual system (equal healthcare for all, but some are more equal than others) isn't working either. Source

That's cuz you're on the wrong side of the Planet.

I call bullshit. Caught a ride with a pterodactyl! BASED off of the head of a Brontosaurus

Just saw the commercial. Mirapex: pramipexole The gambling and sex comments in the commercial were regarding this: Patients and caregivers should be informed that impulse control disorders/compulsive behaviors may occur while taking medicines, including pramipexole, to treat Parkinson's disease and RLS. (by the way - this disclaimer was amusing: This information is intended for U.S. residents only. Products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.)

Fifth Element (would that be Action or SciFi?) Mr and Mrs Smith Boondock Saints Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Action or Comedy?) V for Vendetta

It's kinda of hard to believe that the same photographer took these images

The black and whites do not do her justice. And the color shots. . . she might have bigger breasts, but she has no waist/hips..... (I've seen better pics with amateur models and student photographers)

Hope.

Well... not really working right now, but can't sleep either. Things are quiet....

You might want to do a little research on the testing done on them. edit to add: Defense Tech Article

Not exactly. County hospitals and Training hospitals/clinics generally take medicare/medicaid but they get other sources of income from grants and government funding. Additionally the low overhead with cheap labor from residents. But people don't like going there because "I deserve better" or "I don't like waiting" or "I need to see 'real doctors'" (totally ignoring the fact that residents ARE "real doctors" just in specific training programs under supervision of attending physicians. But.... they can't see everyone. That's why some community dr's step up to see a portion of that population. However, with the cuts in rates that are below what you can run a clinic on.... that's where the problem is. The American Medical Association has been addressing this concern for quite a while now. AMA Addresses Medicare reimbursement

I don't know which one he is specifically referring to but here is info on treatment.

Although hemorrhoid can cause some itchiness... I would also want to test for pinworms. You check for these with the tape test. It's easy enough to treat, but you need to know what you're treating.

I don't know that a government funded system is going to do that. Medicaid/Medicare has done more to limit reimbursement. And with less physician autonomy. I am CONSTANTLY trying to help patients work AROUND the system to get them the care they deserve.

So... risks of RLS - lack of sleep and annoying involuntary movements Risk of treatment of RLS - lack of sleep and expensive voluntary movements

If you were using it to break the ice and make it a light, humorous time, I agree with you. But, some actually do use lines like that to try to score. To lie to influence the actions of others. . . and your first post did kind of come off that way. Kind of like bragging in the locker room. And that type of attitude shows little respect for the females of "conquest" In your case, however, I do kinda believe that you would come clean before *cough* . . . . . (and the cough is cuz I don't want to repeat the words before "before". . . not because I am implying "bullshit")

Sorry that last post was so wordy: Take 2 Interesting article: But I don't think that having the government throw money at this problem with fix it. (nor do I trust the government to be in charge of my health) edit to add: and THANK YOU to all that are actually discussing this topic reasonably. I think this really IS and important topic (one that people actually die due to) and thinking about ways to correct it is important..... if we can get a "right" answer.

They Might Be Giants are so helpful with many aspects of learning... Geography

very interesting article. But my perspective on it. A bit ago, I was on call over the weekend. One of my partners had received a consult for a female with "abdominal pain" (and since she's a she... they generally do get a gyn consult). My partner wants me to go see her (partially cuz I'm on call over the weekend). I agreed. I go in to talk to her - she has been having this pain for months. She had even been to Truman (one of the other local hospitals - county run) a few months ago, but didn't do the work up they had recommended. Her last pap was 8-10yrs ago - it was bad, but she didn't get the followup that was recommended. She smokes about 2packs/day (which is pertinent on many levels - 1 that she could afford a 2ppd habit but not afford health care. 2 smoking and cervical cancer... BAD COMBINATION.) Anyway, with just 15min of talking with her, I get a VERY SICK feeling in my gut that I'm going to have to tell her some VERY BAD news. I do the exam. . . confirms my suspicion but the official biopsy results won't be read over the weekend. But I organize to have gynecology oncology and radiation oncology come and see her. I start social service consult. I work just as hard for her (in fact even harder, as I took 2 hours on Sat morning to bring in pictures and help her understand what this cancer means) as I do for ANY patient. But yet her husband chews me out for being cold and uncaring "because she doesn't have money"?! And it's "MY FAULT" that she's in this situation. She contracted HPV. She smoked and accelerated the process. She knew years ago that she had the bad pap smear. She knew months ago that something REALLY wrong was going on but didn't follow up. She knew, but she chose not to tell him (per her husband) nor to address the problem herself. Now.... what CAUSED her to make that choice? THAT IS THE ISSUE. Not the blaming the healthcare system for her cancer. This was an unfortunate cancer that should have NEVER gotten to this stage in the U.S. But at what point would intervention had helped her? -Was it a cost issue? I don't think entirely so. She knew that she had access to Truman. She just didn't like waiting there. And she was just prioritizing other issues of her life above her health. -Was it a "knowledge" issue? Not completely. She knew something was wrong... but denial sometimes is a poor coping mechanism. Additionally, there are commercials and posters all around about HPV and cervical cancer screening. Women know that they should get screening (especially if she had had a bad one.) More public information wouldn't have changed this. Was it a "trust" issue? Probably a factor, but she didn't trust her husband with this information (but he seemed to be one to focus on blame, so that might account for why she wouldn't tell him). And she didn't even really "tell" me about the information. I had to directly ask in the history portion of my assessment. I'm sure that had I not asked, she would NEVER have told me freely that it had been a decade since her last pap. . . and that it was bad. Patients lie. . . because of lack of trust. But why should you trust your dr? As one myself, there are things that I would NEVER tell a doctor. Why? cuz I wouldn't want it used against me. Insurance companies review charts - billing has to approve procedures and they want to know why to spend this money. Government audits to oversee that appropriate care is given, which is sad that it has to be, but it is..... But because of these lots of people have access to your health record. I don't trust the system; how is she any different from me for not fully trusting? The records need to be between the patient and the doctor. But they're not. - The other point to consider is the MINDSET of the people. Like I was saying in a post above. . . some cultures (Native Americans being an EXCELLENT example) don't view "preventative" health a priority. You go to the doctor when you are sick and dying. Not to ensure that you are well and good. That is considered a waste of time and money by many. We need to convey to the people a sense that THEY are responsible for THEIR HEALTH. The government can subsidize and provide . . . but until the people choose to take the responsibility to make those appointments and wait for the visits (yes, you do tend to wait longer in the county hospitals. . . but suck it up and wait), we will continue to see studies like those you referenced. Why? Because there is likely some population bias. The people with insurance value and prioritize their health. The devote time AND/OR money to routine screening. Those that present with advanced stage cancers haven't placed their health that high on the list. Do they deserve to? Hell yes. But other issues get in the way (financial: 3-4 children that she had to provide for, paying rent, life in general. Time: getting a sitter while she getting her annual exam, taking time off of her low income job, travel to and from the clinic issues) But.... those with the true desire to ensure their health make it to the doctors (trust me, I see medicaid patients. . . some arrange swapping babysitting with a friend so that one comes at this time while she's watching the children and then the other comes the next time. Not that my clinic doesn't allow children, but they do have to be chaperoned and do you really want your 3 children in the room with you while getting a pap?!) - but did you also notice THIS population is at higher risk just based on population alone. Not just whether they had insurance or not. They speculate health literacy, supply. I would include: genetics, coping mechanisms, stress (see here) personal beliefs of healthcare. Maybe earlier in school we need to focus on HEALTH. True health (not just that silly class that everyone blows off in 9th grade): back to basics - healthy diet, weight restriction, recommended health maintenance. I don't know what the REAL answer is but I believe that we need to change the mindset.

Speaking of St. Charles, on the other side of THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN, there is a SCARY city called St. Charles, MN. One drive back home, I got a very interesting tale to tell. Wintery weather, blizzard conditions, and around a turn in the interstate, somehow my radiator was stabbed by one of the reflective marker posts (it was probably because I ran over it.... but who's placing blame) Anyway, after kicking the post and as my poor car lay bleeding in the snow, I walked to the nearest rest stop (about 1mile) to use the public phones (this was back in the early 90's back before everybody and their poodle had cell phones) The call for help wasn't to 911 or the police or anything smart. No... I was "smart" enough to know that I needed a tow truck and try to go right to the problem solving. So at 1am, I call the local towtruck company and explain that I'm stranded at this reststop in the middle of nowhere in a storm - "We'll send out a truck." LaCrosse was just across the river. . . Wisconsin was so close. But instead, the driver, who was one of the shorter peoples, took me back to St. Charles. . . to one of those hotels that you only see in horror movies. Rooms too small to really move around the bed. No phones in the rooms - to use the phone you had to go to the "lobby" and ask Management to place an outside call. The owner of the hotel used this opportunity to tell me about how he feels like he killed his wife, overdosed her... waitress at the local diner was a carney just spending her winter there (and since my sister was a carney, I know how creepy that truly is ) I'm telling you it was a scary place.... midgets, carnies and murderers.... I was certain that this was going to be the next Steven King movie!! So NO.... St. Charles is NOT on my list of places to visit in America. I got out alive once....

Agreed. The shower works REALLY WELL.

That post was regarding WORK HOUR termination. Not actual penile termination. What horrid nightmares are you having?! The management

Some guys just need extra convincing to give it up. *sigh* I guess that's why we have toys.

Actually, your comment and ithe (sic) inferences does not directly pertain to me, nor does the speculation. What - IS - apparent is that, well, to be delicate . . . you seem a little over emotional today. It could be the pain meds, maybe the LACK of pain meds. I don't know. Or maybe you are just Raggin. Nope, Cycle day number 21 (you're a week off).... but that doesn't mean that a girl doesn't still want it. and "rags"(pads) are ICKY.