Health

October 24th, 2011

I was scheduled to have arthroscopic shoulder surgery today, to repair the anterior labrum tear from my dislocation this spring.  But I’m at home instead, due to a fascinating series of failures to answer my one simple question: “How much will this cost?” In my mind, for a non-emergency procedure, that seems like a completely [...]

Continue reading about Transparency in Medicine, Part 2

August 9th, 2011

My body went from 18 to 40 in about a year.  I used to be able to ski, snowboard, swim, lift, run, etc without much issue.  Now I’m in a constant state of soreness.  Never thought it would happen to me, and it seemed to happen almost overnight. I interpret this soreness as a sign [...]

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June 15th, 2011

Five weeks removed from my dislocated shoulder accident, I’m happy to report it is healing nicely.  But for over $8000 (the total amount billed insurance so far — another reason I’m happy to be married), I expect better.  For $8000 I should be 100% healed, or better, perhaps with a new bionic un-dislocatable shoulder. Aside [...]

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Last week I found what I thought was a money parking spot at the hospital.  Right near the front, just next to the disabled spots.  When I pulled in though, I noticed the sign, “Reserved for Clergy“: Since I definitely don’t qualify, I figured it would be best to find another spot.  But it got [...]

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May 5th, 2011

There I was, rounding first like I do several times a week without incident, when my cleats hit a hard patch of ground and come out from under me.  Instinctively I put my arm out to stop the fall.  In hindsight, that was dumb.  I heard a “noise” … snap, crackle or pop, and limped [...]

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April 27th, 2011

It took a while, but I finally finished Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto.  You may recognize the cover with its lettuce and the book’s key advice: “Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.”  It was a very interesting read, thanks Chris for the recommendation. Pollan believes our “Western Diet” is the [...]

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