This week I recalled, "there are no atheists in foxholes," while journeying with an afflicted family member through our local healthcare system, from ambulance to emergency room and, finally, landing in the surgery ward (where I am typing now).
As a staunch advocate for more private medical options, a sense of my own disingenuousness struck me, as I came to the realization that, "there are no anti-socialized-medicine-cranks in the midst of a medical crisis."
Praise is due before anything else.
The staff has been amazing with both the patient and our worried family. The paramedics were calm and helpful. The ER nurses and the attending physician were candid but gentle, visiting frequently, and the specialists have been conservative in their treatment, taking the proper time to ensure the right decision is made between those ancient rivals, medical or surgical. Thank you for your incredible professional and personal care.
My mea culpas will be brief.
If I have ever given the impression man can live on private healthcare alone, I apologize. And while I am almost certain I have never disparaged frontline staff of any level, ability or training, if my oblique comments about other aspects of the public sector could be construed as such, again I ask for forgiveness. That being said, I still remain a skeptic regarding the increase of managerial and non-clinical staff, as well as the hospital's food.
I'll leave more difficult questions alone, as these dire moments are not the time to debate every merit of our healthcare. But at some point, the fact that Canadians can't fathom privatizing medical services while also spending $12 billion on straight teeth needs to be cross-examined.
Again, words cannot express our family's gratitude for all those healing our ill relative, as well as those supporting us with visits, meals and prayers.
May God's blessing be upon you all.
