Today I had a major league stress test at St. Michael's Hospital. It took 3+ hours. I requested one. My plan is to return to Bikram Yoga where my body will stretch and strain in a room heated to 110 degrees (F). I'm nearing 62 and thought I'd better check out the old ticker before I take this on.
As with the last three encounters with our much maligned health care system, I was mightily impressed.
This was a team of four young technicians and scientists and doctors who processed 18 people today and it went as smoothly as I could have imagined.
Over the past few years I've needed the health care system for my kidney stones, my hernia and my broken finger (important banjo finger). In each case I was attended to professionally (not always promptly but I'm ok with that) and I live to tell the tale. In fact, when I walked into the emergency unit at Toronto East General a few years ago and told the nurse my finger was smashed and that I was a musician, she listened to me and spoke to the doctor about it before I was checked. My rehab, paid for by the system, was immediately available for as long as I needed it. I returned to the banjo within a few weeks.
The point is, not once did I have to hesitate before reaching out for help. I didn't have to worry about my premiums going up (like my American friend who doesn't even get check ups for fear of her rates escalating beyond her means). I didn't have to worry about losing my house (like the fellow I met at banjo camp in Colorado last January).
Yes, Harper and his Alberta types would love to dismantle our system. No doubt it needs work and more funding. That will always be the case. In spite of that, it's better than no system at all and works well enough for most of us.
This year alone I know five friends who have had major heart or cancer surgeries and they are recovering without the stress of wondering how they're going to pay for it. We're very fortunate. I think of that every day.
