NWR: Medical Mayhem

Thursday night one of my best friends had a very intense health scare, the source of which is still under investigation.  We were hostage for 3 hours in the grossest emergency room waiting area conceivable. 1 dude was overdrunk and continuously vomiting into various receptacles. 1 had a head bandage on and blood stains all over his pants.  The bathroom hadn't been cleaned in eons.  A cockroach nearly crawled on my back.  In the end, we decided it best to leave, sleep, and started over again the next morning.  Thank goodness we found a better hospital nearby, where my friend is still undergoing tests.

The healthcare system is so. effed. up. One day, I'll explain my long, ongoing and personal struggle with the US healthcare system (read: why I am so broke-ass), but for now let me just say, it sucks. 

That hospital waiting rooms can feel grosser than garbage dumps, people are forced to wait hours upon hours just to be seen by a doctor, some have no insurance whatsoever, and even those who do are over their heads in debt from medical trouble just shouldn't be true in such a progressive country as ours purports to be.  We. Need. Universal. Healthcare. Now.

I think my friend will be fine.  Things are looking good.  But this experience, compounded with my own history with the system has really left me angry. frustrated. let down. helpless. 

On the bright side, let me just say that the Los Angeles Paramedics and Fire Department members are some of the best looking ever :)

Thanks.  I just needed to get that out.  We now return to your previously scheduled wedding programming....