Me and my bloody brain.
If I ever write an autobiography, that will be the title of the chapter that just concluded; one which produced a renewed appreciation for local healthcare professionals, and the Canadian healthcare system as a whole.
As many of you know, I was forced onto the editorial “disabled list” in June. A CT scan showed I had a rather significant subdural hematoma on the left side of my brain. In layman’s terms, I had blood on the brain and needed an immediate drain.
The symptoms were remarkably subtle, considering the size of the bleed.
I was having some balance issues, and began dragging my right foot, ever so slightly.
In fact, the symptoms were so subtle, my doctor was not convinced it was brain related.
Fortunately for me, my wife, Erica – who is a physiotherapist, specializing in neurology - felt otherwise and with her insistence, the scan was ordered.
I had the scan on a Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning I received a call from my doctor, demanding that I get to the hospital “immediately.” (Ever the editor, and being a deadline morning, I asked if I could clear the paper first. I was told “no.”)
The discovery was a surprise to most eveyone involved. The injury is usually associated with a concussion, but I had not taken a hit to the head at any time this year.
The severity of my situation necessitated a transfer to Victoria General Hospital for surgery. The staff at St. Joseph’s and VGH, as well as the paramedics involved in my hospital transfer, were the epitome of professionalism. Their care and genuine concern for not only me, but also Erica, was noted and appreciated. Personnel at both hospitals kept us fully informed throughout the process. But the most comforting aspect of the entire ordeal was the lack of bureaucratic involvement required from us.
There were no papers for Erica to sign; no waivers to read. We did not have to concern ourselves as to whether our insurance policy covered brain surgery, or how much the deductible was, or whether overnight hospital stays were included, etc.
From start to finish, the only plastic ever produced by me was my healthcare card.
No, our healthcare system is not perfect. Waits for elective and explorative surgery are too long. I have experienced the frustration of being “in the queue” for procedures. But it’s a relief to know that in emergency situations, when lives are on the line, Canadians are not ranked based on the balance of their bank accounts.
It’s what sets our healthcare system apart from whatever plan the current leader of the United States would like to incorporate, and one of the many things that makes me proud to be Canadian.
A follow-up scan last week showed no residual effects. My brain is back to where it should be – a 100 per cent recuperation.
“No deficiencies that weren’t there before,” is how I have been describing the recovery.
I owe a debt of gratitude to a lot of people. Obviously my wife, Erica, tops that list. But Tommy Douglas - the “father” of Canadian Medicare - is right up there.
Terry Farrell is the editor at the Comox Valley Record.