Monday, 10 August 2009

Its My Choice

Recently I have been hearing so much about the new Health Care plan in the US.  I have held my tongue and not written anything about it on my public blog for fear of the repercussions.  But, while I do agree with a need for basic health care for all, I really struggle with a Nationalized Health Care.  Let me explain why.

It has been over a year now that Chris and I have been seeing “doctors” about our issues and the run around we have had, I wouldn't wish on anyone.  All you have to do is read this blog and you’ll know what problems I’ve had – and it gets FRUSTRATING!

The other day I was going about my business and the next I was bent over in pain.  I knew I was ovulating and I often get cramps for a few days at that time (I know lucky me cramps twice a month) but this wasn't “usual” pain, this was cant breath, cant stand, feel sick pain.  I got into the bedroom and collapsed on the bed – not being able to move from the fetal position (ironic I know).  I laid there and thought – childbirth CANNOT be worse than this.  I was shaking and crying and finally decided to ask Chris to call the NHS call centre where they have you speak to a nurse and tell you where to go from there.  At this point I was very concerned that one of the lovely cysts had burst.  I spoke to the nurse and she said just to “take some pain killers”.  So I did – eventually the pain subsided.

Then I started to cry again – not from the pain but from the unfairness of it all.  If I weighed even 10-20 lbs. and walked into the nurses office for my fertility appointment – I would now be on a waiting list for surgery because according the the NHS “it would be worth it and cost effective”. 

You see the NHS doesn't do ANYTHING that costs them more money than it could.  If that means women giving birth in their regular PJ’s and sending them home before they're ready, limiting appointments to 10 minutes, using out dated equipment, having nurses do a doctors work, etc. then the do it.  It is all about money. 

I am a woman who is at the mercy of the NHS – they get to decide WHEN or IF I get to be a mother.  They have decided that even though I experience horrible pain for nearly 2 weeks of the month – I get to suffer because I am not skinny.

I understand that there are risks on operating on a bigger person – I get that – but let ME choose, let me evaluate the risks.

There are many things I cant fault the NHS for, in terms of my basic care – and it is nice not to think about how I am going to pay for things.  But in the back of my mind I cant help by think that maybe, just maybe if I were in America I’d have a baby in my arms or at the very least be pain free while trying to get there. 

2 comments:

Alisha Whitfield said...

I wont go into how I feel about the NHS because I did it on my blog a bit ago and so you know how I feel about it. I know about the pain that you go through. I have really bad pain as well. When ovulating and when I have my period. It is terrible. I have always had these problems. I can tell you this after giving birth to two children these pains are no where near as bad as child birth. Both times I gave birth I was shouting out IM DYING!! THIS THING IS KILLING ME!!

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I wish there was something I could do to help. Hopefully when you get back to the states it will be a lot easier and better for you both. Have you looked into private health care here? You might end up getting on a waiting list faster. Or even getting the treatment you need faster.

Good Luck Sweetie! xxxxx

Liz said...

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. I took some time the other night to read through all of your posts and my heart just goes out to you. I can feel your frustration. It isn't fair for you to have to sit around and wait for the NHS to "let you" get the care you deserve and want so badly.

I really hope my blog won't become a source of pain for you with me currently going through my pregnancy. When I was trying to get pregnant and it was taking much longer than I would have expected it was SO HARD at times to read about women getting pregnant and then turn around and complain about it. I have probably done the very same thing on my blog, and I am so sorry if I have ever made you sad.

I hope and pray that you will get your wish sooner than later. You will be an excellent mom for your little baby.