What I call “rich people doctor” is different. It’s a new thing and I want to give them a hug every time I go there! It’s a direct response to Obamcare and it’s a desperately appreciated limited workaround as everything else becomes the third world medical monopoly that controls this region. It costs roughly twice what it costs to get ignored and infected in the land of tattooed freaks and dirty floors.
It’s worth it. What is money for if not to take care of yourself?
Repeat after me, health is important. It’s a big fucking deal. When it’s gone, nothing else matters. Doctors are worth more than Jet Skis or whatever the hell else you were going to buy.
Especially if you fancy yourself a survivalist, think of the relative value of a proper doctor visit right now as compared to that next brick of ammo you’re storing in your closet. Flu, pneumonia, and other boring dumb shit kills a lot more people than you think. In fact, it’s a lot more likely you’ll die from a broken toe that gets infected at the ER than it is you’ll go out in a firefight on top of a pile of spent brass. Proper health care is a survivalist asset too.
[Rant] If you’re going to give me a sob story about how cheap medicine is awesome… stop. This is my value system and I’m sticking to it. Bad health care is only a great deal until it fucks you up. Life is cruel, nothing is free, if cheap is what you pay cheap is what you get, nobody wants to be sick in the first place anyway, etc.… I get it; the vagaries of health are sad and it sucks to burn a wad of cash because someone sneezed on you. But it is what it is. You don’t always get what you want. Bad medicine can kill ya! Regardless of what should be, the doctor either works for you or you’re just an expense to the system. Finally, nobody bleeds out at the ER thinking happily about the money they’re saving. [/RANT]
Rich people doctor is a miracle. I love those guys. They’re a new development. Weren’t around just a few years ago. They’re NOT owned by the local monopoly. They actually care if you live. The wait is 20 minutes or less instead of hours. The waiting room is empty. The doctors seem to actually know medicine. They want my money and they try to cure me to get it. I’ll play ball if I can get healthy faster!
They figured out tout sweet I had bronchitis. (Which I’d guessed.) For the cost of double expense (even with insurance) I got in there and out of there in an hour instead of half a day. What’s the market value of sitting half a day in a fetid cesspool of germs while they whine that I’m not an oppressed Guatemalan and bitch about guns in my house?
The real doctors at rich people medical care treated me like a human and wrote prescriptions for meds. They can sell meds right on site (for a fortune) but they told me I could get the prescription filled cheaper at the local pharmacy (which is linked to the local medical monopoly but is an actual company and therefore has nominally acceptable service). As a non-monopoly company, they couldn’t get access to send the prescription electronically. I had to carry a paper Rx myself. They apologized for the inconvenience.
I drove a few miles away and bought all the stuff they recommended (some of it wasn’t cheap, but I’m worth it). Then I headed home. God bless you, rich people doctors!
Back at home Mrs. Curmudgeon hadn’t moved. Hard to say if all the money and effort I’d expended was worth it.
I changed into jammies and immediately the fuel oil guy arrived. I dressed again while the dog started barking and so forth.
Wow, he arrived when he said he would! The second miracle of the day. I like the fuel oil guy. He’s a nice (and very overworked) fella.
I got the shakes bringing the check through the cold to the oil delivery guy (and in the process my checking account went into overdraft).
So now it’s a few days later. We have electricity, fuel oil, proper medical care, and I’m slowly shaking off bronchitis that sucker punched me hard. Same for Mrs. Curmudgeon if somewhat slower. It seemed too hit me meaner and faster but (due to care or not) it’s fading quicker and easier. On the other hand, I have an unknown electrical bill, pissed lots of money on meds and care, and dropped a huge wad I didn’t have on furnace fuel. As for the ATV, that’ll just have to wait until it’s not -30 and I’m feeling better. I hope it doesn’t snow!
What was meant to be a frugal week of self-improvement became a shit show. Winter is hard.
While I convalesce, the internet (via my old backup Wi-Fi router) tells me I should be upset over some douchebag non-Vietnam vet who claimed he was an oppressed victim hammered a drum at a teenager in a MAGA hat who didn’t do anything but smile. Really? Drums and smiling? People tweeting about smirks and demanding woodchippers? This is news? Let’s cut the shit right here… nothing on the news is news; hell, it’s not even the truth. Healthy breathing and a heated home… that’s important news. It’s what matters. I had three miracles, an electrician, oil delivery, and good medicine. I’m blessed! I missed my joyously anticipated once a year event but that’s life. I’ll try again next time. Maybe I’ll write a country music song about it.
Now you know what the heck I’ve been doing instead of blogging. Stay healthy y’all.
A.C.
Glad you survived, AC (and Mrs AC). Drugs are a good thing.
I sat in a recliner reading a book while the furnace hummed and I didn’t freeze. Technology good.
Thanks. I’m glad I survived too. 🙂
Still recovering but all trends fare well. All hail rich people doctors, modern meds, strong coffee, extra rest, and fruit juice!
I find myself hovering much closer to the fire than usual. I’ll probably be a bit of a wimp for another few weeks until I get my feet back under me.
I’m also damn happy the grid is up! Despite all the things I bitch about, I try to notice when things go right. The grid is still working! It’s sufficient to keep the furnace and a few strategically placed portable heaters going and I’m delighted. I can live without AC but in this weather (and with echoes of bronchitis) I’m glad I don’t have to. Everyone go find a lineman and buy him a beer! (Wait until it the weather warms up before your give it to him, he’s got important work right now.)
I was lucky we got the power/furnace sorted in the nick of time (I have contingency plans but they’re sufficient not comfortable). Glad to dodge additional drama right now!
Phenology update: I’m monitoring my thermometers and it’s not just my perception. It really is cold out there. When I step outside the air rips the breath away from my already battered lungs! Trekking to the barn was an untethered spacewalk! That said it’s not abnormal; just unpleasant. I’m sure the press is calling it the end of days and Al Gore is either taking credit or a punchline but it’s just on the extreme low end of the bell curve. Also the wind is not helping.
Good luck to anyone in a homestead/weather situation like mine. Take care. Level head and all that. Think clearly, act decisively, keep the fires lit, focus on the big stuff and ignore what can be ignored, etc… It’s a good time to not take chances. Probably the table is set for someone to die in a ditch or keel over on the way to the woodpile when they’d easily tap dance on the lawn in warmer weather. Presumably a few skiers or sledders or other unlucky folks will Popsicle this week. It’s a damn shame but probably unavoidable; the main goal is to not be one of them. I’m following my own advice. Rather than my usual “do everything in advance” method, I hauled enough wood to keep the fire going but no more. I also cancelled unnecessary travel. Anything outdoors that can be deferred is deferred.
Stay warm and enjoy a good book. Happy winter!
Sounds like a good time to go curling…
}:-]
Probably the only time one could go to a curling rink to “warm up”. 🙂
I like your attitude: cancel everything and live to tell the tale.
USPS cancelled deliveries.
Reading “Naked Empire” by Terry Goodkind.
Yep, hunker down and read. I just finished Robert Kroese’s Iron Dragon series: The Dream of the Iron Dragon, Dawn of the Iron Dragon, and The Voyage of the Iron Dragon. Good escapist fun, I’ve liked most everything Kroese has written but especially Distopia (Land of Dis Book 1). I also read Michael Crichton’s Eater’s of the Dead but was surprised that the book was less fun than the B movie into which it was made. The 13th Warrior with Antonio Banderas(!) was actually quite good and better than the source book. Go figure.
Good to hear you and the Mrs. are on the mend. Yeah, this 11 below zero on the shores of lake Michigan puts a crimp in outdoor activities (other than snowblowing the driveway in mentioned temp. with a 22 MPH crosswind). But have faith, we are supposed to hit 45 degrees this coming weekend, kid you not. That is a 56 degree swing over 5 days. Good thing us in the midwest are tough old bastards. Spent one winter in the UP, the temp was -40 for days on end and things just keep on functioning. Snow and ice are not slippery at that point, it is when things are 10 or more above zero that it gets messy. Just ordered a full face balaclava and new aviator goggles as we expect more of this before spring arrives, which should be around April 1st, maybe.
Stop that! 🙂 I already have far too many books to read. On paper, no less:
Totally OT: an Uber driver just showed up. I had never seen one before. Right street. Wrong city. 25 miles away.
Ouch. That’s an Uber driver that’s having an unprofitable day.
I read DISenchanted a while back, and liked it. Come to think of it, I read a series on Kindle that seems like something you might appreciate. The first one is called The Chronicles of Old Guy and you can either spend a buck on it or shoot me your email and I can attempt the convoluted process of trying to lend you a copy. Hope you feel better soonish.
I’ll check out Chronicles of Old Guy. It’s got an interesting title.
I’m already feeling better. Thanks for asking. A week of super extra mega uber cold didn’t help my bronchitis but I kept the pipes thawed and the farmhouse standing so no regrets. It seems like the weather has finished it’s fury so I may get a break. A weekend of non-crazy weather and I’ll probably be right as rain.
Well you better be, ’cause dat rain iz whut’s comin’ when dat cold leaves, bro!