UGH.

UGH.

That seems to be my tag line lately. Ugh. I am so tired on NOT being able to help people.

We seem to have more and more complicated issues each week. Remember the young woman I told you about – the one needing an MRI? Well, the MRI was negative, but her issues continue. She has headaches that are debilitating, yet she works full time. She keeps a complete headache diary – the headaches sometimes come 6 to 8 times per day. She suffers from memory loss, she is sometimes unstable walking. She is scared, and frankly, so am I after hearing her symptoms.

The doctor that saw her last night wrote for referrals to ophthalmology, hematology and neurology. I laughed – not because it was funny, but because I know that other than ophthalmology, there is very little chance I can get her seen by the specialists she needs.

The woman with the glioblastoma was transferred from the local hospital to a regional center where she was scheduled for surgery. I may or may not ever hear the outcome. At least I know she is getting care.

Today, I get a call from the health department. A young man seen here last night was there today trying to get help. We were not able to make the referral he needed. He works full time as well, for a large local company; one that hires full time help through a temp agency. That way, they don’t have to pay for benefits. Yes, I am bitter and angry. If we expect employers to provide insurance, why don’t we make sure that they provide insurance? And, if it is each person’s responsibility, why don’t we make it possible for them to GET insurance?

I had to tell one of my nurses last night to instruct patients to use the insulin syringes we were able to provide for a couple of injections. I thought she was going to be sick – physically sick – when I said that. As nurses, we teach people to never re-use their syringes. But, since I don’t have enough to ensure that all of my diabetic patients have enough syringes for all of their injections, it is better to give them what I can and have them re-use them than it is to not have any syringes to give some of the patients. I can do a half-assed job for more people that way.

Yup, I love our healthcare system.