doctor talk.

This is a fantastic and fascinating article written by a doctor in The New Yorker. It explores the varying costs of health-care around the country and specific models. It examines why this one area in Texas spends the most on health-care per person in the United States and how it compares in terms of quality of care to other places. It really does touch on the collective responsibility that will need to be taken when it comes to health-care reform. From insurance companies, to doctors to patients.
I live in a city that was noted for having lower health-care costs and at least in my personal experience with my doctors I do notice that they don't go all out on the tests and so on. I read an article awhile back that talked to a few doctors and they discussed that there is a significant trend for doctors to go into specialization vs. being a regular GP. And more and more people are sent to specialists so that the GP is almost seen as a middle-man to hand out referrals. Of course some of that is related to how insurance companies work. I have a regular GP and I think one of the things I have liked about her is that she isn't a fan of multiple tests or excess anything. What really struck me about her as being there for her patients is the fact that one time I thought I might have strep and so I went in for a quick throat culture. She called me at home on the weekend, herself and said, "the test came back positive but you have a strain that doesn't require antibiotics. Some doctors might give them to you, but your immune system isn't compromised and and if you just take care of yourself (fluids and so on) it should heal on its own." The real theme of her approach to treatment is to not be so invasive and often it ends up being cheaper for me. My OB/GYN's office doesn't make you come in for an appointment if you just have a question. (this is one way for some doctors to rack up the cash as it were) They usually get an NP or a doctor on call to get back to you and usually sort out if in person treatment is really required or not. (and often it isn't) I think in some ways it also keeps space open so that they can still see plenty of people and not clogging up the time.
Anyhow, the article is about 8 pages long, but if you have the time do read it. Very eye-opening.

lunch

I got a nice half-flat of strawberries today. I am thinking more jam will be made this weekend. It was a good time at the farmer's market. I am filled with plans and ideas of things to preserve and freeze and so on. My other interest of the day was jello salad. I had 2/3 of a banana my kid didn't want to finish and a few leftover frozen blueberries in the freezer. Why not put them to use. So Senor Onion helped me put together a simple jello salad with the fruit and it made for a nice dessert tonight.
I made a huge amount of pesto (some of which I will freeze) and I am thinking about what else I can make.

It was pretty warm today and I watered the garden a bit. Things are coming along at their own pace. the potatoes are really looking the strongest. The tomatoes are growing as are the pickling cuke plants. The basil is actually taking off for once and not being eaten up by the bugs. A fun moment today was going out on the deck where I have lettuce growing and picking some for my lunch. I may even get spinach this year. Anything is possible.

When I went to the farmer's market I went to park somewhere that looked like a parking spot. This hippie-sauce farmer's market woman came up and said, "oh wow there is supposed to be a shopping cart there -it really isn't a spot." I was mildly annoyed and showed it and said, "okay then." She then wanted to talk about it and explain it. I wasn't terribly interested. The spot wasn't really a spot and I needed to move. Not very difficult to understand. I was rocking some contractions, it was warm out and she already explained things to me. If she had just stopped there I wouldn't have wanted to stab her with my keys. I finally put my hands up and said, "you need to stop while you are ahead. Like...a minute ago." And then she went quiet and walked away. The thing is, ol' Quinoa face makes me think of people I knew where I grew up. They want to have a dialogue not to make you feel better (though they offer that as their explanation) they do it to make themselves feel better. And there is a reason I moved away. I just don't jive well with that kind of attitude.
Anyhow, Senor Onion and I had our good time. We talk to our favorite regular vendors, we buy some things for the week and we buy scones for tea. We saw some awesome dogs, we shared an apple and some strawberries and talked about what we saw.
I really enjoy this Friday ritual. He takes a nap, wakes up and we go out to the market. He looks forward to it.