Big Update: I went to Mercy Clinic close to home in Guthrie, and described the history of my symptoms. I had no fever, had been back in the US for 4 weeks, no bleeding etc. but I have a bad cough that leads to vertigo and nausea. The doctor told me that I needed testing for hantavirus since id been in Yosemeti and whooping cough since Im allergic to the vaccine but they couldnt do that at this clinic and recommended I go to the OU Hospital to get the test done. No referral needed, she said just go to the ER and they would do the tests. I called my parents to ask about ER costs with insurance since I havent been in 20 years and they said it should be $35-$100. I arrive, check in, describe same history and symptoms. The nurses leave and come back with masks, gloves, and gowns and make me mask up and roll my bed to a more secure room. From there the doctor comes in, asks the same questions, leaves and asks me to stay put. Then a country boy nurse comes in with a hazmat suit on and a tray of vials, and bottles to fill with my blood. I proceeded to explain that it had been 4 weeks (Ebola kills people at 4 weeks), I had no fever, no bleeding, no body aches, just a bad cough. He then said that I had been in Africa and well, we cant be too careful you know? He mumbled on his best efforts to mimic whatever yahoo page hed read that morning and more about if you hadnt been in Africa and all you know. I then explained that there were zero cases in Ghana, Uganda, or Eastern DRC where Id been. Nonetheless, I was stuck and promised the blood work wouldnt cost any more than normal blood tests. So hazmat guy fills 3 giant bottles, five vials, and shoved a q-tip up my nose to my brain and left me sitting alone in an empty room for 70 minutes. No contact, no tv, just waiting in an empty room. The doc knocked and then came in wearing street clothes and said how he knew it wasnt a big deal and that Id be dead if I had ebola for 4 weeks ... So he says its likely whooping cough but itll be three days to get back results and to take some meds for whooping cough in the meantime. He then says the clinic I was at likely freaked out and sent me here so they wouldnt have to deal with it. I thought what dirtbags but no big deal. The nurses told me they got some good profile pictures out of it at least... I get my stuff walk out and am then notified by the clerk that with my insurance, this visit will be $500... $500 b/c the health professionals in my area didnt take the time to compare the symptoms, countries affected, and timeline with my condition. I feel burned and scammed. I know theres a ton of fear mongering and misinformation out there about the size of the African continent and transmission of the disease but I hope this isnt whats to come. People being hauled off to ERs who mention the word Africa and are stuck with crazy health costs they can barely pay. There are two 747s from Ghana coming into the US each day, are each of them going to be sent from clinic to clinic to ER because theyre on edge from the media? What about folks that were in Texas last month? So... Im still sick but hopeful that the treatment will help me recover quickly, am thankful I got to taste what so many are going through right now in West Africa, and am dreading my amex bills arrival at the end of the month. Despite it all, I feel like there is so much to learn from today, to fight the fear of American media, and to pray for those stuck wondering if theyre going to die of this terrible disease when all they really have is a stomach bug or malaria as well as those actually infected. Please join me in praying for our nation and all others affected and selfishly that our insurance wont charge us anything additional for this escapade.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 01:21:37 +0000
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