Life: Idiotropic

Today I went with a friend to Dusseldorf to see a specialist for a 6 hour appointment. We had no idea what to expect. The small office was spread up and down a narrow hallway, so we entered, checked in, filled out the paperwork, then was sent down to the first waiting room. Instead of seeing a nurse, I heard my friend's name called over the intercom, so we stood up and walked out of the room looking around. A nurse about 30 feet away waved at us, so we went to her and were told to wait in a different waiting room. We talked. Then it was her turn. For 30 minutes I waited, read, and people watched. I found it interesting that the seating rules are different here. Newcomers to the room would not skip a seat like we do in the states. They would sit right next to a person even if there were plenty of seats available. So, though half the room was empty, I was soon sandwiched - an old woman on one side who looked as if she wanted to talk and a young man on the other who had no desire to chat with anyone.

Rita returned with instructions to leave and return in 2 hours. So, we left, took a long walk, and had a mediocre lunch at an Imbiss (schnell cafe).

Two hours later we returned to the second waiting room to wait for 40 minutes before she went in for another test. Then I found her in a third waiting room a bit later waiting for a third test. When that was finished, we sat in the fourth and final waiting area until we could see the doctor. That was the first time she'd met the doctor. All the tests were administered by nurses and techs. Then, when he'd reviewed her entire file, he brought her in to talk with her.

We'd arrived at 9. We left at 3:30.

So, Rita is in her 60's and has a problem with her knee: atrosis. She wants an alternative to surgery. At this clinic, they can inject her knee with radioactive isotopes that will somehow attack the atrosis and lessen the swelling that causes pain. It's interesting.

When can we schedule? Not August. The only manufacturer in the world, according to this doctor, of these isotopes is in Paris, France and they are getting a new reactor in August and will not be producing anything. In his broken English, "So in the world no one has this procedure in August."

This clinic only does this procedure on Thursdays and Fridays because the "stuff" is delivered on Thursday and with time loses potency.

The cost. Yep. We had to ask. "So, if my insurance doesn't pay for this..."
"Oh, but the insurance will pay."
"But if it doesn't."
"No, all insurance will pay." (That's the socialized medicine talking)
"But I have American insurance... it may not pay..."
"Well, with the initial exam and everything, about 500 Euro."

Wow. So, knowing how insanely expensive American medicine can be, think about what a weight that was lifted of Rita's shoulders.

A long, in depth 6 hour appointment with three tests, an injection, and several scans, AND the actual fancy Radio Scintography with this stuff that is ONLY made in Paris and has a two day shelf life - all of this for only 500 Euro. That is amazing. And such a blessing.