A "Hitch in the Get-Along"

 RESET!

Rain spent most of this week in the hospital. She is home now..... with no energy for writing. Hopefully, added oxygen and good drugs, and very good doctors, she will be back to share her insights and warnings.

 from: Ranch Boss

 

 natures gifts while this goes on 

It is the start of Monsoon time

 

practicing medicine

 Here we go with what I have reluctantly learned regarding modern medical practices. I thought I knew a lot given my age and history with using medicine. Although, I've very had few major health problems, I have a family and had good luck with the doctors I have used, especially doctors I've had as primary  when in Oregon (3 of them in the same clinic, one after another with each until they retired).

Guess what! It turns out that I knew little since things have changed a lot in the US in recent years. Let's start with what I believe that today has to be a key phrase-- corporate medicine. What is it? I found an AI definition for you:

AI Overview

Corporate medicine is the rapid shift of healthcare from independent, physician-owned practices to ownership by large entities, such as hospitals, private equity firms, and insurance companies. As of January 2026, over 82% of U.S. physicians are employed by corporate entities or hospitals, prioritizing standardized, high-volume care and profitability, often leading to reduced physician autonomy. Corporate medicine refers to the increasing dominance of large, profit-seeking corporations—such as hospital systems, private equity firms, and insurers—over healthcare delivery. It focuses on consolidating services to maximize shareholder value, often prioritizing financial metrics over patient-centered care and reducing physician autonomy.

Who knew about this, unless they needed a doctor in the US (I will share in the future regarding my personal experiences with no idea what had been happening (and still is), but that will have to wait until I feel better-- hopefully, that happens). Some of my own health issues may relate to a combination of personal genetics and food. I especially knew little about where it came to food regarding the problems it can cause-- even innocent sounding foods. Does it relate to doctors finding solutions? Probably some but better have a doctor with such interests.

You might think 'so what' since many of my readers are not in the US. Actually there is a lot to learn how medicine works in some of the countries, who think they have free health care. They might think it until they end up with a major health problem or are over a certain age. . 

How do I know about how that works out. Mostly from some who experience and what I read. Joy joy...  Especially at this time of my life. Doctors, in my experience, have been helpful in finding health solutions. But with the addition of corporate medicine, it gets dicier to find such doctors. Switching states makes it all more difficult. Who wants to doctor shop? Certainly not me.

Where it comes to those of us, whether what they call free health care or not, why should we care about corporate takeovers of medicine... When you go into the doctor for a problem, do you want his expertise finding your solution? What if he is told what he must prescribe, etc. by someone with no medical knowledge? It all depends on who calls the shots. Many of us will only know how it works out if it impacts our lives.

Life Changes

 Times keep changing for me with old age. I have a theory that most of us don't realize. I think there are three ages (governments have regulations for this that do not agree with mine). 

For my theory, first comes childhood, with no certain years for when it ends-- only when it begins, which is obvious. Then comes middle age, which has no definite beginning or ending. Only that it ends with old age. Which is where I am at now 82. I had no idea what to expect since I'd never been here before. That is my point now-- we are not the same for how we experience things or even what they are.

One thing that troubles my life is nightshade intolerance. I think it began for me in my 70s, but not sure of when. It means certain foods can make me violently sick. Eat them and have my body reject them a day or four later. Their non-connection to the eating makes it harder to diagnose from where the body's upset came. Eventually most figure it out by studying the foods and results. One sneaky one that makes processed foods dicey for their risk in eating-- paprika. It is in so many things, often with no notice in ingredients. 

The second intolerance for me was discovered this year. Lectin intolerance. Its results are less obvious but equally destructive in their own ways. Check them out online and see if they impact your body.

So, here I am with old age, needing a new doctor from a different state, but knowing with food intolerances, this requires personal observations.

There is another addition here for those who remember the dove's nest under our front porch. We worried, after a big windstorm, that the destruction to the nest appeared bad for the fledglings. We didn't know as they are forced out by their parents at the right time. We still do not know, but the mama and papa are back, rebuilding that nest. Looks like a second family... Life changes. 

Stay tuned for next week with what I hope will offer some hope beyond avoidance. Even though I find that hope unlikely.

Magone Lake near Prairie City, Oregon from the more fun years.