Hospitals

For 65 years, I had no need to be under the care of a doctor, nor was I ever on prescription medication except for dental issues. At 65, I went to see my assigned primary doctor, and after saying Hello, my next words were, "Doctor, just give me no pain". I admit, for 6 decades, I had been blessed with a pain-free life and was spoiled. Twice in my life, I have been a patient in the hospital. My best memory tells me that it was some 40 years ago when I sought minor surgery for the removal on a sist on my wrist. They did a swell job, and the scare is barely visible after all these years. However, I do remember that I was given too much valium, and I passed out in the hall way returning to my room from the shower. Not good. The second time around was five years ago for a pace maker insertion. Excellent work by the cardiologist and his aids. However, during my two-day stay, I was given medications and pain killers that my body was not used to. After being sent home, the pain killers shut my regulation system down, resulting in serious constipation. The spasmatic pains were far greater than any from the heart procedure, and I was forced to return to the emergency room where I waited for hours in pain. I finally saw a doctor who remedied my issue. I do not know if my cases were typical, but if it is, one can count on hospital visits as places where remedies are pretty common. But pain-free and overdose-free experiences, not so much. Nevertheless, I cannot imagine a world free of hospitals. 072520PS