Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Tehachapi, zero day
I did not get a message from that doctor and scheduled a new video consultation with another clinic for 7 am. By 7:20, still no one had appeared. I wrote to the administrator of the app. It turned out the clinic had technical problems. A doctor then called me on WhatsApp. Within 2 minutes, she decided that I had to go for tests at a clinic. Good, that is what I needed.
I call the insurance in Germany to make sure they cover the costs, and then I take a bicycle to ride to the hospital at the other end of town. I arrive at 8:30 and leave at 3 pm.
It was an experience. After taking my details, they put me on a bed, and then it went crazy. I think the only thing they did not do was surgery. First, I was charged $887.75 just for the right to be treated in the ER. The charge for all the (unnecessary) tests, etc., they wanted to bill directly to the insurance. I am pretty sure my insurance will be bankrupt now.
They made a full ECG, put me on IV electrolytes, and on a monitor to screen my vitals. Someone took countless vials of blood from me for tests. At one point, they picked me up for an x-ray. I asked what x-ray. They said chest x-ray since I would have chest pain. I never mentioned chest pain. I asked the girl to find out why they think I need a chest x-ray. The doctor came and said that I might have a perforated intestine, which would press air up into my chest. In Germany, I would have refused that. It made no sense, but I was curious about their way of doing things, so I went along. Anyway, in the end, the diagnosis was a guess, and it took me 1.5 hours after discharge to get at least my test results. I think no one has ever tested so much. I shook my head when I saw the HCT pregnancy test. No one talked to me; that is another test that was unnecessary.
When I finally got out, the bike's rear tire was flat. I called Abel, a trail angel, and he picked me up and dropped the bike at the place where I am staying. Before that, he dropped me at Walmart. I got some resupply there and medication, then Abel collected me again and brought me to that trail angel place.
Someone cooked tonight for all the hikers staying there but I could not join. I am trying to stick with blend food.
Hygiene is as usual. There is one shower/toilet that does not look like it gets cleaned. And about 16 hikers staying here...
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