Health care

To British and Australian readers this post will seem odd. We enjoy by right such an amazing standard of health care that a post featuring it would seem redundant.

To American readers this post may be controversial. That fact astounds me. That the nation who can send men (and women) into space still argues about health care is beyond ridiculous.

In the last month our family has experienced the best of both the public and the private health care systems in Australia. I want to give you a snap shot of what we get here thanks to Medicare and thanks to a united, bipartisan commitment to excellent health care for all Australians.

Private System

Hubs and I have top private health insurance. We pay it, not our employer. We pay about $300 per month. This means we have (if any) only a teeny tiny co-pay for glasses, dental work, physiotherapy, natural therapies, doctor's bills and hospital stays.

When my GP / family doctor made the decision to refer me to an OB/GYN I did not worry about the cost. I new my top health insurance would take care of me. I also new that Medicare (the national health care system) would help out.

I got an appointment with the doctor of my choice within a few weeks. Before the appointment I had blood work and ultra sounds and out of $300 of tests I claimed $240 back from Medicare.

I had one visit with the OB and she booked me into surgery. She could have fit me in the next week (but I had Court. Yes I am now that woman who gets out the Blackberry to schedule surgery around work. Blaah!) Luckily I had the freedom to schedule the surgery to suit me.

At hospital I got a private room, nicer than some hotels! It had a mini bar (ok an empty little fridge), electronic bed, TV, private ensuite bathroom. I did not even stay overnight! I got to use that room for the 12 hours I was there, but could have stayed overnight for no extra cost.

I got excellent nursing care and further rounds of tests done. I had a surgeon, an
anaesthetist, a theatre and all the trappings.

Total cost - $200 (co-payment to the anaesthetist). That is all.

Can you believe that?

Public System

My sister in law C has had somer recent health problems. She does not have health insurance and has had to rely on the public health system. She has her own hair salon and earns good money, but earns nothing if she is not at work.

The GP initially thought C had a bowel obstruction. She was admitted to her local hospital and had all manner of scans, X-rays and ultra sounds.

After two weeks in hospital she was no better and the local hospital staff decided to transport her to a bigger hospital for surgery. She was transported via ambulance to a bigger city hospital. C was in a ward with three other ladies and shared a bathroom. She had her own TV.

Many more tests were done including a colonoscopy. Expert specialists reviewed all the old scans and tests and repeated some of them. Surgery was confirmed.

C had the surgery and quickly recovered. She was released after spending about a month in hospital.

Total cost - Zero. Nil. Nada. Zip.

C is so overwhelmed with gratitude for the care she received in both hospitals. Never a fan of government before, she is now full of praise for the government health care system. She sings the praises of her nurses and doctors.

Sure, she did not get a private room or the doctor of her choice, and she had to wait around a little before they ordered the surgery, but IT WAS ALL FREE.

Why are Americans still arguing over health care? Why can we get it right in Australia (and all the other places that do) and yet one of the most civilized and forward thinking nations cannot do it?





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Recovery and recipes

Hubs went back to work today and I have rattled around the house like a lost soul! I have really enjoyed having him home with me after the surgery. We watched old movies and cleaned out the DVR.

We are on a musical kick lately. Hubs surprised me with Brigadoon the day after the surgery. I love this romantic old film!





With Hubs out of the house today I got to cut loose and do a few wild crazy things, like..... wash dishes and fold laundry! Hubs has been very attentive and protective over the last week.

Speaking frankly, there are coma patients who have had more active recoveries than me! Hubs would hardly let me hold a hair brush all week!

I was allowed to - FINALLY - cook dinner last night. Oven fried chicked with silver beat and corn. Special corn. Mexican corn, or elote. I saw Martha Stewart make this on Today recently and new I had to try it.

Elote

Corn
Lime juice
Mayonaise
Parmesan cheese


Whisk lime juice into real mayonnaise. Please use real mayonnaise. If you don't Martha and I will cry.

Grill or prepare corn to your taste (loads of seasoning is to my taste).
Roll / dip or baste hot corn with mayo.
Roll / dip or sprinkle parmesan cheese.

Enjoy! Dance and sing if your husband will let you.

This corn is delicious. My future cardiologist is very glad I found this recipe. It is safe to say this is a special occasion and not an every day side dish!

Here's to small victories!








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Successful surgery

Thank you for your sweet emails and messages! My surgery last week went very well.

If you were hoping for a gruesome hospital bed photo you are out of luck! My husband did take one but it is not bloggable!

No make up + hospital gown = very private picture!

I want to do a full post on the miracle of the Australian health care system. For now I will give you a snap shot of my experience.

Hubs and I arrived at the hospital at 11, sans make up and nail polish (HARD). I had been directed to eat a small breakfast at 6 and then drink water at 8 and 9.

Passing the time to 11 was easy as I napped and read blogs. It was a strangely calm and ordinary morning. I had thought I would be nervous and my head would be screaming SURGERY DAY SURGERY DAY.

Once at the hospital I was shown to a room and then the silliness began. The nurses told me my surgery would be 1pm. I then had 2 hours to kill. I hoped they would send me home! No such luck.

I had to gown up and get in bed. The nurses fussed on me me and brought a piping hot blanket to tuck around me. It was hilarious. I felt totally well and not at all sick or injured, but suddenly I was tucked in a hospital bed being fussed over by sweet nurses! I did worry they may actually be neglecting genuinely sick people to pay me attention!

I had to take a pregnancy test. It was poignant and ironic and sad. The nurses assured me that one woman having the same surgery as me tested positive and the surgery was cancelled! She came back in 9 months to have her baby.

I was not so lucky. My test was, of course, negative. The nurses were so cheery and supportive about my chances of conceiving after the operation.

I was in the Women's Health ward which is of course co-located with..... maternity.

We could hear sweet babies crying and there were pregnant and new mamas in the corridors. I was tempted to just grab a baby that was already there but Hubs cautioned against it.

Hubs and I watched some tv and chatted to pass the time. I did get a bit anxious just laying there. I kept saying "This is crazy! It feels like I am in hospital!"

I think Hubs was worried I was losing my mind. He patted my arm and said "Sweetie you are in hospital, remember? We don't have ladies bringing us hot blankets and jelly cups at home."

At about 12.40 the transport man, Michael, arrived to take me to theatre. He was cheery and lovely too. Hubs and the nurse walked to the elevator with me. I was being wheeled in a hospital bed like a patient on a TV show! I began to giggle.... and laugh. I told Michael I could walk myself to theatre as I felt fine. He was horrified!

People in the corridors looked at me with sympathy, surely imagining a poor ill lady being wheeled to surgery. I felt so silly and continued to giggle like a crazy person!

Hubs kissed me goodbye at the doors to the surgical ward. I was greeted by the my doctor and the anesthetist. Shortly after that I was asleeeeeeep......

The surgery went very well. I did not require the ovarian drilling and there was not the signs of PCOS the doctor had feared. Although this was great news for the surgery it does create further questions about the fertility issues.

Here is the only gory photo I will share. All my wounds are healing well and I have only a little residual incision / stitches pain. My IV hand however is a different story. A week after the surgery my hand still looks like this! It almost hurts more than my surgical incisions.




Only my closest friends and family knew I was having the surgery (and you, my Secret Wife Life friends). The sweet girls at work (who have crossed over into real life friends) sent me these gorgeous flowers.




My parents have once again proved that they will never stop actively parenting me. They came to visit with these beautiful macarons from a local French bakery (and a big bowl of home made mashed potato for me! Soul food.)




I see the OB again in a couple of weeks (after another round of test results). We will then plan our next step.

Thanks for the prayers and happy thoughts!

xx elle


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Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms

I am not a meal planner. I aspire to be a meal planner. I stalk meal planning blogs and periodically get all organized and spread-sheety.

I generally have a range of 4 or 5 meals that are on hand, with easy access to freezer and pantry staples. I do love a well stocked freezer and pantry!

One of my biggest failings as a meal planner is my attraction to impulse produce purchasing. IPP.

I can hit the market with a gorgeous meal plan and grocery list on cute printable print out from afore mentioned meal plan blogs.

Then, across the produce department / farmer's market I spot it! A lovely seasonal produce that I had not planned for. All thought of my culinary choreography escapes my brain and I am suddenly dreaming up recipes involving fresh corn / asparagus / strawberries / snap peas.

Case in point: This week I was mesmerized by mushrooms. Beautiful big stuffable mushrooms. I snagged a bag. I was also bowled over by beautiful broccolini.

I know as far as impulse purchases go, mushrooms and broccolini are OK. It could be worse ie Kit Kat at the register......

Anyhoo - last night I stuffed my mushrooms with a delectable spinach and ricotta mix. Of course I did not take any photos as I went. Hubs and I were actually half way through eating when I remembered to snap a picture, so I cobbled together a plate to show you the complete meal.





Disclaimer: I am a lawyer not a food blogger or food photographer. Hence my photo is crap but my disclaimer is totally binding.


I used the same mix that I use for manicotti. Here 'tis:

Spinach and Ricotta Filling

brown onion
garlic cloves
olive oil
frozen diced spinach (thawed)
ricotta
cheddar / tasty cheese
parmesan

Dice the onion and press the garlic into a pan with some olive oil. Saute until the onions are soft. Add the spinach (the amount depends on what and how much you are stuffing). Season with salt and pepper.

In a bowl mix together the ricotta, grated cheese and parmesan. Again, judge the quantity based on what you are stuffing. Season well with salt and pepper. Some recipes call for an egg here, but I never add it.

Add the spinach mix to the cheese - the ratio of cheese to spinach is up to you!

I stuffed the mushrooms and baked in a medium oven for about 20 minutes. I then threw some extra parmesan on top and grilled (broiled to Americans).

I served this with the broccolini (lightly blanched) and some couscous.

Delicious!




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The Pajama Game

Yesterday I went shopping for pajamas for in and after the hospital. I need something lose and comfy but suitable for viewing by belligerent visitors.

I hit up every store at the big local mall. The specialty underwear boutiques, the ladies fashion stores with sleep wear sections, the big department stores, even Target let me down. In a fit of despair I slummed it down to the family type stores Big W (very similar to K Mart) and..... Best and Less. Even if you aren't from Australia I think you can guess how Best and Less does business.

I found nothing. NOTHING.

It is winter here and all the pjs were fluffy flannel. I cannot stand flannel pjs. I overheat at night and get all tangled. Or it was silk or .......shudder shudder, fake satiny blaaah!

I wanted something smooth and crisp in a light cotton, but still with long sleeves. I want the kind of pjs that I imagine Duchess Kate or Princess Mary wear. Elegant but functional. - Yes I thought waaaay too much about this.

My biggest problem was the writing and imagery on the pajamas. I do not want Elmo or Cookie Monster. I do not want "Sleeping Beauty" or "Kinky Princess" emblazoned across my chest. I do not want jewels, sequins, love hearts, lace or flowers.

Lets talk a bit about florals. What is it about floral night wear that screams "MY GRANDMOTHER HAD THIS EXACT NIGHTIE!!!!"

I wanted cool crisp cotton. IS. THAT. TOO. MUCH. TO. ASK?

I am going to let you in on a secret. Pssst. Lean in real close - I am a bit anxious about this surgery.

Could you tell?

I am disproportionately nervous about a relatively minor and hopefully keyhole procedure. Turning around in my mind and my heart is BABIES BABIES BABIES. WILL I BE ABLE TO HAVE BABIES?? That all got mixed up with WHY CAN'T I FIND PAJAMAS BABIES PAJAMAS??

I ultimately left the mall and headed to a smaller calmer local shopping centre. There is a smaller Target and one other sleepwear store. I found a few suitable options and settled on two that I can live with.

Today I am going to breath, to stay home, to not drink coffee, to decompress a bit.

I am glad the Pajama Game is over.

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