Life Is Not Fair But...

Some people seem more prone to problems than others. Sometimes it just does not seem fair. But then I guess that life does not have to be fair.

One of my granddaughters was born with a heart defect. Actually two heart problems. She underwent open heart surgery shortly after her first birthday for those problems. We, along with her parents, essentially lived at the hospital for six days after the operation while she was in intensive care. It was amazing that they could put so many tubes in and out of such a tiny body. She had a nurse assigned to only her full time. The nurse was continually adjusting medications. It seemed like the bad side effects of one drug had to be counteracted by a second drug. The second drug's bad side effects had to be counteracted with a third drug, and so on.

Now, she is 9 and recently was diagnosed with scoliosis. It is fairly severe, particularly for a 9 year old. The maximum curvature is 40 degrees. At 45 degrees, they do surgery. It looks like she will have to wear a brace for the next 5 years or so. But the next step is an MRI first, to rule out some even worse problems and more invasive corrective action. The poor little girl is scared to death of the MRI, but is feeling a little better now that she knows that her grandmother and favorite uncle have both had MRIs.

It just doesn't seem fair that after having to go through open heart surgery and continuing cardiac care for the rest of her life, to now be faced with spinal problems as well. The curvature cannot be corrected, or at least not very much. The brace only keeps it from getting worse.

Fortunately, her parents have excellent health care. The open heart surgery was completely covered and so will be the scoliosis. Her mother checked with the insurance company today. The $6000 MRI is completely covered. No co-pay.

But what do people do who don't have health care or are under insured? It is a national disgrace that I even have to ask that question.