Food for thought: Hard times?

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Today I'm reflecting on just a few of the things I heard from patients in just a single half-day at Grady Hospital . . . . .

• Hurt in an accident so now have chronic back and neck pain due to a disk injury. Due to poor performance on a job that involves manual labor, was "let go."  Tried to get a few other jobs but never went beyond middle school and "not too good with secretary stuff that involve reading." This month got an eviction notice. Will likely have to move into a shelter.  
• Off drugs and alcohol for almost fifteen years.  Lost job. Has three adult kids--one with a family living in a one bedroom and another with unstable housing due to mental illness. Other child just got married and patient "don't want to be a burden on nobody." Could move back with "old man" but not her first choice since "he still use and still drank" and "he one of them 'mad drunks' that like to hit on you when he get to drankin' too much." Probably will live in her car until gets another job. Drank an entire six pack of malt liquor last night due to "nerves bein' bad."
• Overweight but affected by an illness that required high doses of steroids. Gained more weight due to steroids. Due to being overweight has terrible arthritis. Needs to exercise but finds it hard due to weight and pain. Needs to lose weight but on fixed income and relies upon "meals on wheels" for food which is not low fat at all. Can barely walk due to pain and probably needs knee and/or hip replacement. Can't get replacements due to weight. Needs to lose weight before replacements will be done, at least seventy five pounds. Can't exercise or change diet because. . . . .
• Terrible toothache and mouth full of decayed teeth. Thought this appointment was with a dentist. Gets referred to dentist to get tooth extraction but will need at least the minimum co-pay. Doesn't have a single penny. Literally.  Received some pain medicine and antibiotics. Found a place that will give the antibiotic for free but for pain medication has to pay. Really needs the pain medicine. On way to see dentist who decides on no pay treatment on a case by case basis. If isn't deemed a suitable "no pay" patient, will either have to find the money or just deal with it.
• Makes exactly three dollars too much to qualify for medicaid and exactly sixteen dollars too much to qualify for food stamps. Pays for medications out of pocket. All ten of them.
• Previously homeless, likely due to mental illness. Came to Grady, and finally got a diagnosis. Has never been gainfully employed due to uncontrolled mental illness and incarceration. Receives disability due to mental illness, just enough to pay for apartment and live in government housing.  Two months ago, check cut in half due to child support judgment. Getting evicted in a week. Can't go to family because estranged due to mental illness. . . .

Wait. . . . .what did I have to complain about again? Oh, yeah. . .that would be a whole bunch of nothing.

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Happy Tuesday.