Three or four weeks ago I almost freaked out. I woke up at 4am with pain in my chest, and the back of the neck. No, I was not sweating although I can’t particularly remember. As I detest illness and hospitals, I put it down to gas.
Later on that same morning, my dad was once again taken to the emergency room at the BDF Hospital with suspected fluid in the lungs, once again. True enough, they were filling up nicely. He was admitted.. ultimately he left hospital after being drained, only to return a couple of days later. He LOVES that place! But that’s another story.
On that day as his ticker was being looked into, I thought I’d ask the attending cardiac doctor what she thought of this pain I suffered from earlier that morning. She asked the questions and told me then to immediately go to the Cardiac clinic and tell them to admit me with “chest pains.”
Ohno! Notmetoo!
They wired me up, laid me down and started humming and hawing on graphs, taking about a litre and a half of blood for tests (yes I exaggerate) and eventually an hour later said there is nothing wrong with me.
Leg it!
But before doing so, the nurse insisted that I undergo more tests. Her rationale is that my dad has a heart condition, and I am obese. I told her, no, there was no need for any more tests as their test and measurements were quite normal, no?
No. She didn’t care. She said I’ve got to do the Tread Mill Test. The doc was happy enough to just let me go without insisting too much, the nurse wouldn’t have it. She went, convinced the doc to have a “good talking to” me, and while the doc was getting on my case (you’re too fat, your dad has a heart condition – she was treating dad as well remember? – and you’re FAT (yes I know, you told me that already!) So do as you’re told.) the nurse went and got me an appointment for the TMT. Which was this morning.
Arrived at the appointed time this morning, a little delay as there were other patients waiting patiently, ultimately my turn came: stripped, put my gym shorts on, trainers and out to be shaved, probes stuck to various places around my chest, BP taken and up I went on the tread mill.
This is going to be easy. I’m gonna ACE this test!
It started with walking, a minute later it upped the juice, and then every few minutes the speed would just carry on increasing! Hey, hold on a minute, I’m going to the gym this afternoon, so I’d better leave some energy for that, right?
Anyway it got too fast, I got too out of breath and the technician said that I already reached the heart level they were looking for. Why the hell they didn’t pull the plug earlier then, I have no idea. Gluttons for punishment is my guess.
The good news is that all is ok. The ticker is working as it should. BUT. Again the nurse (a different one) insisted that I do an Echo test although I wasn’t scheduled for one, “just to be sure.”
Ok then, dress, walk across the hall, undress, more probes (no more shaving, and no, you’re not gonna see a picture!) and then 20 minutes later I was told to once again leg it.
“Nothing wrong with you.”
Phew!
The Mahmood Al-Yousif Machine, ZERO DefectsTM
So. I now officially have NO excuse not to continue to go to the gym and working my ass off at 85% heart rate to lose the blubber.
And what did all this lot cost? Being seen by the best doctors, technicians, nurses, in the best heart centre in the Gulf?
200 Fils! 53c!
And that was for the parking lot. And even that is subsidised.
I love this country!
Comments
2 Rupees
Glad you’re doing well Mahmood, hope your father is ok
2 Rupees
thanks all, the machine is working fine!
2 Rupees
That’s one thing you DO have to love about Bahrain. As much as we all complain about the quality of the medical care provided as well as the inadequacy of the facilities at the Salmaniya Medical Complex.. its FREE. Looking at the situation in the US where you’d be refused treatment if you weren’t covered by insurance or some form of governmental relief program (such as Medicare for the elderly) we should literally in7ib yadna maglooba (kiss the back of our hand) for recieving such a vital and generally expensive service for absolutely nothing.
And cut our boys and girls some slack, eh? The doctors in Bahrain (especially the younger generation) are working very hard to improve on their percieved image as irresponsible and underqualified. We shouldn’t be looking for treatment abroad unless its something that our doctors just simply don’t have the experience or ability to deal with.
Oh, and glad to hear all’s well Mahmood. =)
-Mo
2 Rupees
MO
You cannot be refused medical treatment in the US based on your ability to pay for it. That is a complete lie.
2 Rupees
from the [b]Patients Bill of Rights[/b]
Care Without Discrimination. Patients have the right to considerate, respectful care from all members of the health care industry at all times and under all circumstances. Patients must not be discriminated against in the marketing or enrollment or in the provision of health care services, consistent with the benefits covered in their policy and/or as required by law, based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, current or anticipated mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or [b]source of payment[/b].
Nearly every State has it own version as well in addition to the Federal ones.
You will not be turned down for medical care in the US based on your ability to pay. The US healthcare system treats MILLIONS of Citizens and NON CITIZENS free of charge every year and will continue to do so.
Re: 2 Rupees
[quote]You cannot be refused medical treatment in the US based on your ability to pay for it. That is a complete lie.[/quote]
I believe, unless medical care is urgent, you can be sent to a county or state subsidized hospital. Walk into your average private/non state funded US hospital and request that you have the same tests that Mahmood had done, tell them you have no insurance and cannot pay for it, see what happens.
A country should be judged on how it treats the lowest of its citizens. I personally think that medical care is a human right, not a privilege.
2 Rupees
Anonymous, buddy.. relax.
My post was intended to praise Bahrain more than it was meant to criticize the United States. I apologize for the generalized statement I have made, and I promise to be more specific and accurate when posting from now on.
I do believe, however, that medical insurance is a requirement for any elective procedure in the US. I’m not saying that they’ll turn you away from the ER if you’ve been shot or stabbed, all I’m saying is that if you wanted to go through what Mahmood has kindly detailed then you’ll need more than just identification. Walk into one of the two major hospitals in Bahrain and you’ll get seen by a doctor and scheduled for a procedure by simply producing your CPR (the Bahraini ID card).
So chill out, we’re not all out to get you guys.
Much love,
Mo
Re: 2 Rupees
Unless your an Expat Mo and then your own your own I do believe.
Re(1): 2 Rupees
in Bahrain? nope. as an expat you can walk into Salmania or any other public hospital, produce your ID card and be treated for a nominal fee, I think 1 BD ($2.65) by LAW!
Re(1): 2 Rupees
Malik,
US hospitals, whether private or public, cannot refuse people who need emergency care. Most hospitals will still treat you if you have non-emergency problems, but they will send the bill to the state. This is what is causing so many problems along the southern border.
i do not believe medical care is a human right. I sure want everyone to have it, but once something becomes a “right”, it means others must be forced to provide it.
Aliandra
2 Rupees
Good to hear that Mahmood, and glad to hear you are still going to the gym.
2 Rupees
Glad to hear that and pray to Allah to keep you, always , a very energetic man!
2 Rupees
Glad to hear your OK!
2 Rupees
MashAllah, glad to hear that everything is ok! If you need to go back again, just send me the bill next time, the next one is on me…
2 Rupees
Mahmood!
So good to be back and check on you; the teacher from the US. Having ministered to many for
over 20 years; it is my humble input that God was allowing you the mercy to know that your father was is trouble and to pray. May i suggest an intriguing site to visit which is tied to the prophetic stream…www.extremeprophetic.com God Bless; it’s time to seek the Spirit of The Lord and not the religious trappings of men…Iamwithyou.blogspot.com