The appointment went exactly as predicted, except for one major caveat: Addenbrooke’s is without a doubt the best medical facility I have ever encountered. My experiences with the NHS have absolutely convinced me that socialized medicine is superior to market-based health care.
The quality of care is higher, the doctors more thoughtful, the system less rushed. I am aware of some of the problems, particularly for elderly and rural patients, but the fact that a major teaching hospital is so competent and kind is at least symbolic.
Except of course hand hygiene, but more on that later.
Various plans have been organized, not least of which is a repeat of the fancy DNA testing, which is marginally exciting. I’ve done it before but only with formal promises of confidentiality and destruction of the sample. Now that I live in a land where my genetic profile will not lead to discrimination in insurance and employment, sign me up!
Most of the facts discussed were known; the debates predictable (nobody else in the world has ever presented with my precise symptoms in combination, or any of said symptoms as an infant – I am nothing if not ambitious). The only new information I gleaned is the notion that I am at risk of developing heart fibromas.
Fun!
I still feel a distinct confusion over how any of this can be true. Will age and wisdom change that? Doubtful.