Don't Forget to Appreciate Your Hands

The other good thing about getting sick is that it really makes you appreciate being well. For example, do you ever stop to appreciate that your hands don't itch all day?? You should!

No, really, I'm not on drugs (anymore).

I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic I took when I was sick, which caused an intense itching of the palms and fingers of my hands. For several nights, I went to bed clutching a sharp-tipped hairbrush in my hands to use throughout the night to relieve the unbearable itching. Now, I frequently look at my hands and think, wow, they're not itching! They're just being hands, doing their thing, not calling any attention to themselves....wow. Amazing.

Honest, I'm not having a cannabis moment or anything....just appreciating my good health...

You should too.

This public service message brought to you by an almost fully recovered ex-sick person. Thanks for all the get-well wishes!

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TalkBack

"Now get yourself a nice donut, and continue to steer yourself clear of those who seem to feel you warrant a labotomy!" -- John
Hmmmm......a lobotomy....maybe that explains the above entry.....Chitra and Vasanthi, do you recall seeing anything unusual going on during your watch??

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"Those hospital and examination costs you quote are really stunning. Please, can you tell me how India manages that? Are the citizens taxed to the hilt? Even if India has socialized medicine (which I can only imagine it does), how does it deliver excellent care at those prices?" --Dale
The main reason seems to be much lower production and labor costs, combined with a highly skilled work force. I'm sure it helps that, unlike in the U.S., there are very few medical malpractice lawsuits. However, I should note that my experience with the Indian medical system was probably not typical of what the vast majority of the Indian rural poor get. I was in a small, private, well-staffed, hospital. I could afford to pay cash for services - I'm still earning American dollars. There was probably an element of a reverse "skin tax" as well - I probably got more attention and better care because I was white and a novelty.

On the other hand, what is a pittance for me is a hefty amount for many Indian families. There is no socialized medicine in india, and few people have medical insurance. Good medical care is available to individuals who can afford it. People who cannot afford to pay go to government hospitals, where I'm told the quality of care is nothing like the private hospital I was in. The majority of the Indian population lives in rural areas, where medical care is also hard to come by. So it's really two issues here - one is that, compared to the U.S., good medical care is inexpensive. But even so, only a relatively privileged portion of the population can afford it.

Comments

[Sue S.]

Basia,
I too can appreciate my hands. I had a terrible allergic reaction last summer and my palms and fingers got all itchy with pickle like bumps. It was horrible. I'm glad your hands are back to normal again, and the rest of you too. I like the tip about the hair brushes - wish I had known that last summer... take care and keep writing - LOVE IT!!
Sue

[Chitra]

Well Basia, I am sure nothing like that would have occured during our watch...but hey...wait a minute...you remember, I slept for an hour in between..I am not sure what happened during that time!!!!!
Just kidding...Basia is totally fine now!