A run with the US medical system

24/10/08
In the morning I meet a Dutch guy who lives in Canada. He’s really nice and working with the homeless communities in the city. It is really interesting to hear about how there are three separate groups at work here: the homeless who have fallen through the system, and find themselves with nothing, the drug addicts, and those with homes and benefits but who work the streets as a top up. I never appreciated the complexity and potential for an interactive study. I wonder if I had a foreigner’s eyes in Liverpool or London it would be similar too. Complicated! He studies Chinese medicine and is here to see how complimentary medicine may be of use to those ‘forgotten’ people. I guess this is the benefit of solo travel. Everyday I meet someone new and yet with whom I have some connection.

I hope this is not getting too boring for readers; but I am meeting some very interesting people and this is one of the best ways for me to keep a record of it.

I had to check out of the down town hostel so after a light breakfast I had a snooze. I woke an hour later hungry again (I still seem to have my cycling appetite : I hope my knee heals soon or I shall balloon). So went to a traditional 'american diner' for a second breakfast. They let me leave my bike and called ahead to another hostel, which is where I am now: the Amsterdam hostel. It is comfortable with small onsuite dorms, each sleeping 4. Fab! This is the first time I have ever travelled without a guide book, it is quite interesting. I feel like I am properly exploring. It also means I am generally pleasantly surprised, rather than disappointed that it doesn't live up to its review. I guess I also have fresh eyes. the rooms are pretty basic with metal bunks and thick matresses and french baroque style furniture. The on suite with usual sink, loo, shower and 3/4 baths. Nicely tiled. My room mates seem really nice: Marianne from Norway, Damien from S. France and a slightly crazy Australian snowboarder on his way to Vancouver to work the season in the mountains in Canada. He was out last night so I had the bunk to myself. He seemed to think I should go to a sports injury doctor. Sounds great, I now need to see if my insurance will cover it. I am missing cycling like crazy. I have to do some exercise tomorrow so think I'll try swimming. At least that way I'll keep some of my strength and stamina.

At the doctors I spent about 3 hours trying to get them to accept my insurance. It is a pretty complex system here and all private doctors work with particular insurance companies so are reluctant to see visitors. Apparently most go to the hospital and many then skip the bill. Sometimes being honest seems to complicate life! Still, once the fax had come through she agreed to see me and gave me a prescription for silly strength (800mg) Ibuprofen to take twice a day to see if it reduces the swelling. I now have a lot of fluid round the knee. If it was no better she recommended that I go to an orthopaedic specialist. So far, no improvement, but i have been walking around a lot on it. I guess I shoud really be elevating it. So am now lounging on the sofas in the hostel and intend to spend my remaining hours here doing the same. It is pretty sore and I predict I will need to see the specialist on Mon. I may even check out a sports doctor as my whole trip is activity based. I have planned to be cycling, swimming, diving, trecking, kayaking or walking pretty much everywhere I go and maybe even learning to ski. The last thing I want is to be dealing with a 'broken' knee somewhere away from 'civilisation'. My insurance covers all of these, but finding a doctor to take the insurance may prove tricky and 'prescription' are apparently not considered 'medical assistance'. Again, the insurance companies here have it all wrapped up, so pharmacies work through particular insurance companies and can't/ won't accept any external insurance. Nightmare!


25/10/08
I had the best day chilling at the 'Cheesecake factory' at Macy's. My budget is like a long forgotten cloud. The sunshine and warmth of San Fran a welcome remedy. It actually was very reasonably priced and I arrived early enough to get a seat with a view of Union Square. They let me hook up my laptop and so I was able to surf and slurp through the morning and early afternoon. I had a superb salad and smoothie for lunch. It was my kinda heaven and made up for the fact that I couldn't buy myself a whole new wardrobe. I truly can't put into words how many of the clothes and perfumes and make up and lingerie and shoes and boots and accessories I wanted to buy. Every section had something I could have convinced myself I needed. I don't feel we have fashion like this at home. The cuts and designs seem so flattering and with that quirky twist that I like.

I am almost convincing myself to sell the bike and shop and blow money on pampering myself. As an alternative I am about to apply for a work permit. It seems the US is about work and shopping. I reckon I could manage that for a few months.. wish me luck! It's about 8 years since I've worked the 'holiday season' in retail. Where better to pick it up again than at Patagonia or Macy's or Pinks San Fran? Uh oh! I'm falling for the glamour. But it's good. There is also a shortage of teachers here, so I may be able to do that. I will also follow up CCC link. We'll see.

The big decider is the knee. I REALLY want to make festival and diving in Mexico. But if there's the opportubity f work at this point, it may be prudent of me to stay and fly south round Feb. I wait and rest now till Mon and in the meantime apply for work permits for here and Auz and NZ. Money out with no money in is not a sustainable situation and everything is about money here. Currently I seem to be making eating my main activity. Shopping is threatening to make a late takeover and I am thus insisting that I stay in in the morning tomorrow. I am also developing a new range of monty python style walks to adapt to steps and stairs and hills and general movement. Altogether now: "Always look on the bright side of life, du doo do do do doo do doo." I must go to Golden gate park in the afternoon though. Then I swim... and hope my knee allows me too. Otherwise I will be arms only. Hey ho! No wind and no rain. Still happy.

Love to all,

Anne x