My goodness me. How fortunate we are here in Boston to have excellent hospitals! Today I had an appointment at Massachusetts General Brigham. This appointment was with the radiation department, because mammography detected early breast cancer last November, Lumpectomy and one week of radiation followed immediately. I thought to myself as a kindly nurse practitioner palped my breasts around noon, this woman definitely knows her stuff. She explained every move in clear terms and with a graciousness that was exemplary. I could only reflect on how different medical care in Sweden has been as experienced by my husband Sven. How recently a doctor suggested that his operation for a fractured femur had been “done wrong.” This was simply the apogee of a series of infuriating medical experiences. Like, realizing he was given the equivalent of six Tylenol Extra Strength per day without checking whether he had pain. Like going to an appointment with his doctor only to realize we were speaking with a substitute who did not even know how to bring up x-rays on the computer and recommended Sven drink water with sea salt in it. Like knowing that procedures in Sweden require for you to get in line and wait up to six months, if not longer. Now, the White House is attempting to pass a bill that will deprive many Americans of Medicaid, forcing hospitals to close. This is awful news. Let us hope the bill is defeated!
