Tag: Health care

Nat is thankful for Canadian Universal Healthcare
Sat with Nat

Nat is thankful for Canadian Universal Healthcare

natalieh (she/her)2 Comments

The inciting incident

It started as a tiny spot above my right eyebrow about a year ago. At first I thought it was a recurring blocked pore.

Over time the dot grew into an uneven mole. I kept checking it. It was growing, slowly, but constantly. I decided I’d take the time to get it looked at when I retired.

Taking Action

It took a month to find an appointment with one of the new doctors at my family doctor’s clinic as my guy is retiring and working part time. I choose the same new doctor I had seen last year to get continuity of care.

Validation

My appointment was at the end of May. My new doctor had a look and she agreed the mole should be removed because it was changing, had ill defined boundaries and different colours.

I was relieved. I was prepared to be told I was worrying for no reason. Since faces are tricky to biopsy, she referred me to a clinic specializing in dermatology and facial surgery.

“If you don’t hear from anyone in a month call us and let us know.”

Waiting

I marked the date in my calendar. In three weeks my doctor’s clinic called to check in. Since I hadn’t heard from the original referral my doctor sent out multiple requests and asked me to let them know when I heard from anyone. This would allow them to cancel the outstanding referrals.

Moving forward

A week later I got a call from a clinic minutes from my home. The Attending physician was going on holiday but he wanted to see me right away. I got an appointment within 3 days. I let the referring clinic know I had an appointment.

Punch Biopsy

I showed up and found out it was a teaching clinic and I was so happy. Maybe it is watching The Pitt or living in a university town but I’m thrilled to see the next generation of doctors in action.

The Resident had a medical Student with her. They took time to explain their analysis. They too agreed the mole should be removed. I was informed of all aspects of the procedure. I felt confident that a punch biopsy was the right choice.

The Resident left the room to confer with her Attending. They both came in and all 3, the Attending, Resident and Student looked at my mole, palpated it and discussed it.

“I’m a 4 or a 5 of worried out of 10. Not extremely worried but a little to a bit.”

That was enough for me to feel confident getting this off my face was the right decision.

Quick Action

The prep, freezing, biopsy and single stitch took less than 10 minutes.

I went back a week later to have my stitch removed. Another week later I got a call saying my pathology report was ready. I opted for an in person rather than a phone call. I’m glad I did.

Outcome

In my mind there were 3 outcomes:

1 – no cancer, no further action

2 -Basal Cell or Squamous Cell cancer with a clear margin, no further action

3 – some type of melanoma, lots of further action required

Turns out there was a fourth option. The pathology report confirmed it was a Basal Cell Carcinoma and the sample had clear margins.

The Resident took time to examine the site and palpate the edges. She left to confer with the Attending. They both returned and re-examined the biopsy site. The Attending did not like the edge on one side and recommended freezing with liquid nitrogen, aka cryotherapy, to get rid of any suspicious skin cells the same day.

Cryotherapy

I have to say, the freezing was daunting since the site was so near my eye. After 4 rounds the Resident was satisfied all offending cells would slough off.

The Waiting Game

I get to go back in 3 months for a follow up to see if any other interventions are needed.

Thankful

The next day my family doctor’s staff called me for an update. I let them know I had two procedures to remove the mole and the diagnosis. I also asked to pass on my thanks to my doctor. Her following up on the referral and having a sense of urgency meant I got timely treatment.

I’m so grateful for the excellent care I got both from my family doctor and the whole team at the teaching clinic. Total cost to me? Zero dollars. Even the parking was free.

In the end it was 4 months from the moment I decided to take action until I had the results of the biopsy and a full resolution of my chief complaint.

Wait times in our universal healthcare system are often criticized but I have found that when urgency is needed the staff find a way.

Next steps

So now what?

An image of a note that says “don’t skip the sunscreen”

Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat. Limit time in the sun in the afternoon.

I have not always been good about wearing sunscreen. I feel properly motivated to do it now.

Better late than never!

Hey you!

A finger pointing from the page to you.

Ya. You. If you see a mole on you or someone else that is changing get it checked out. Don’t wait. If my diagnosis had been a more rapidly growing cancer I might be having a very different outcome because of my reluctance to get it looked at.

fitness · health

Dental health and the environment

Diane Harper2 Comments

Christmas is coming, so my mind is turning to stocking stuffers: growing up, that always meant new toothbrushes. Now that my kids are adults, the only one who still gets toothbrushes is my daughter, as she goes through them at an alarming rate.

The problem is that toothbrushes are generally made of non-recyclable plastic. I have tried bamboo and wooden brushes but they don’t have as many options to achieve the perfect plaque-removing brush.

I did find a good dental floss in a refillable container, but by the time I needed a refill, they were no longer sold except via Amazon and I’m not ready to do that yet.

It’s a very first world problem, but it’s hard to be a good environmentalist when I can’t even get the little things right..

An Asia woman in a green shirt brushes her teeth in front of a mirror. Image: Wikimedia commons
fitness · health

Pushing for Equality on World Health Day

Christine Hennebury1 Comment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated April 7 as World Health Day and calls for us all to reflect on health, the conditions need for good health, health care, and access to that care.

The theme for 2021 – Building a fairer, healthier world – is about recognizing that good health and good health care is something that everyone deserves, not just some people in some places.

This is, obviously, a complex issue. We could (and do!) have a lot of discussions about what ‘health’ means and we could (and do!) discuss the myriad of ways that bias and prejudice affect access to health and health care, even in the wealthiest parts of the world. But the complexity of the issue doesn’t mean that we cannot begin to address it.

I like how the World Health Organization has structured this year’s campaign to both acknowledge the inequalities and to call on the world’s leaders to improve access to health care.

Their phrasing about the unequal access to the conditions for good health applies just as much to changes needed for health care in remote villages as it does those needed to assist a marginalized person seeking health care in a wealthy city:

“This [inequality] is not only unfair: it is preventable. That’s why we are calling on leaders to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health.  At the same time we urge leaders to monitor health inequities, and to ensure that all people are able to access quality health services when and where they need them.” from the World Health Day website

Image description: a poster with a light blue background featuring a sketch of an exclamation mark enclosed in a circle. The black and white text reads "hello world. we agree that health is a right, not a privilege. it's time to build a fairer and healthier world for everyone everywhere." The World Health Organization logo is in the bottom right corner of the image.
Image description: a poster with a light blue background featuring a sketch of an exclamation mark enclosed in a circle. The black and white text reads “hello world. we agree that health is a right, not a privilege. it’s time to build a fairer and healthier world for everyone everywhere.” The World Health Organization logo is in the bottom right corner of the image. Source: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021

While their campaign extends to equity in health care of all kinds, there is also a special focus on access to resources and treatments to fight COVID-19.

From their website: “COVID-19 has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been harshest on those communities which were already vulnerable, who are more exposed to the disease, less likely to have access to quality health care services and more likely to experience adverse consequences as a result of measures implemented to contain the pandemic.“

Image description: a black background featuring a sketch of a blue exclamation mark enclosed in a circle. The black and white text reads "hello world. we must make covid-19 vaccines tests and treatments available to all. it's time to build a fairer and healthier world for everyone everywhere." The World Health Organization logo is in the bottom right corner of the image.
Image description: a black background featuring a sketch of a blue exclamation mark enclosed in a circle. The black and white text reads “hello world. we must make covid-19 vaccine tests and treatments available to all. it’s time to build a fairer and healthier world for everyone everywhere.” The World Health Organization logo is in the bottom right corner of the image. Source: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021

There are lots of groups and activists who have been raising awareness and taking action on these issues throughout the world. Still, the general perception is that health (and access to proper health care) is an individual issue/problem or accomplishment. In that system of thinking, individuals are blamed or judged for their health status.

I hope that this campaign and others like it helps more people to see the systemic issues and misguided policies that fuel the inequalities in health and health care around the world.

Since this issue is so complex, and since the call is to world leaders rather than to individuals, it seems difficult for one person (especially those of us with little political clout) to take any action to make a difference.

But, just like with any change, we have to start small.

If you know of a resource, a petition, or an organization that is seeking change in access to healthy living or working conditions for people anywhere in the world, or if you know of one that is working for change in health care access, please share it in the comments so others can find out about it and take whatever action they can.