In an earlier post, I discussed some personal medical news that was somewhat alarming, but I knew there was more data to come. Today, that data arrived with an even greater thud than the first.
Today I learned that a genetic predisposition related to my heart, which I learned about in April, has already caused damage, confirmed today, and is progressing. I was somewhat prepared for this news with the preliminary knowledge I had, and still held out hope that a smoke-free, largely plant-based diet, and a reasonably active lifestyle might mitigate the risks. It turns out not so. It took me a few long moments to consider (and lament) changes and the treatment plan before I found “it” — the gratitude piece:
“When one door closes another door opens…” —Alexander Graham Bell
I feel fortunate—not for disease or the prognosis of course, but for what I also got…access. Take that in, I was given access to the medical system. The truth is that neither of the tests I underwent are considered routine, and my disease would not have been discovered—or even suspected—based on my routine annual lab results. But because I knew about my mother’s health history, which remained undiagnosed until she was 86, I felt compelled to advocate for myself and seek evaluation beyond the routine. I was searching for some baseline reassurance and have gratitude for a nurse practitioner who heard me and gave me access to testing beyond the norm. She was clear, however, that most insurance plans do not cover them, as was the case for me for the second (CAT scan imaging) test I had. How fortunate I feel to be able to pay out of pocket.
I am sitting here today, grateful that I can pay for the test that confirmed my heart is damaged. It may sound strange, but for me, I would rather have that knowledge, than not. Knowledge is power and serves me as an early (relatively) warning system, prompting a course of action that may slow further progression. But I can’t help thinking about the circumstances of so many others–a huge population of people who do not have this advantage–unless there is dramatic change to our healthcare system and a shift in the value system of our current leaders. It truly makes no sense. As with so many health conditions, it is often far less expensive to run the diagnostics and make appropriate adjustments early than to treat full-blown disease once it arrives. It is food for thought as we approach an election season.
Thank you for reading my story and for allowing me to vent regarding healthcare in our country. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for me, but one I hope will continue long enough to see even the youngest of my grandchildren grow tall.
Have you had a similar experience or the disappointment of our failing healthcare system? I’d love to hear your story, just drop it in the reply box below.
With warmth and resiliance,
Carolynn