All's well that ends sick

My brush with medical reality, on a bike

Posted by Katharine Wroth at 4:10 PM on 11 Oct 2007

Read more about: green living | bikes | health

My fella and I have been living a one-car life for the last year, and overall it's going pretty well. Helps that I'm a telecommuter, and helps that we have made the choice to live near a commuter rail and a small but semi-useful downtown. I also succeeded in finding a doctor and a dentist within (loosely defined) walking distance.

Which worked really well, on a sunny day, when I was in good health. But this morning, I had to go see my doctor. And it's cold and rainy out. And I feel like crap.

Out came the bike. Out came the raincoat. Out came the helmet. And there went wobbly me, pedaling my sick self to the doctor. Did I imagine it, or did all those people in their snug cars and trucks give me funny looks as they splashed past?

I'm not looking for sympathy -- well, not too much. Because I got to thinking about all those people who get sick and don't have a car, or a bike -- or, for that matter, health insurance or a doctor ... damn. Depressing stuff on a rainy day.

For story: All's well that ends sick
6 Comments | Post a Comment

wobbling

Yes, it really was a miserable day for a bike ride in our wee state of Mass. Hope it didn't worsen your condition.

Your story reminds me of my poor old cat: I just bailed him out of the vet's office where he was under heavy sedation this a.m., and has yet to recover. So sad to watch him wobbling around the house. His back legs aren't working as well as his front ones yet.

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by Erik Hoffner at 4:26 PM on 11 Oct 2007

But that's what Taxis are for.

Ok, taxis are worse than SOV's because they generally require twice the driving for one trip (not to mention the time they spend circling near airports and hotels looking for a fare). But as an occasional necessity, especially when you're sick, your very small increased carbon footprint would be worth it.

by Matt G at 9:29 PM on 11 Oct 2007

I feel sorry for the USA

Reasons not to live in the USA, part 134.

Hardly any public transport, hardly any cycle lanes, and an ever shrinking length of sidewalks.

Ok, it's not so great here in the UK compared to some European countries, but I can get a bus to my doctor's if I need to, and my doctor's surgery is less than 30 minutes walk away, which is the same for most people in UK towns and cities.

Keith
(One car family, and it stays on the drive 99% of the time)

Keith Farnish www.theearthblog.org

by farnishk at 3:40 AM on 12 Oct 2007

Poor clinic locations

People who plan clinics assume that everyone drives. Never mind the fact that some people don't have a set of wheels, how about the fact that when you're not well enough to go to work you shouldn't be driving a lethal weapon?

The other problem is that many of the clinics are now in the outskirts of the town ("lots of parking!") and therefore very difficult to get to. While I was undergoing PT, the clinic moved from downtown. The new place was about an hour away by two buses, the second of which ran every 60 minutes during rush hour and every 90 minutes during the rest of the day. If my PT was late, I'd have to either waste well over an hour sitting in the clinic, waiting for the next bus, or just cut my visit short. A 30-minute visit would take hours.

I complained to the receptionist, who said, "oh no, the bus does come here." When asked how often, of course, she had no idea.

by mihan at 6:37 AM on 12 Oct 2007

Zipcar!

It really is such a wonderful idea, carsharing, but it requires a critical mass of people.

In the absence of a carsharing system near you, I heartily agree with Matt G. A taxi might seem unjustifiably expensive, but you are saving so much money by not having an extra car that it is well worth spending. Think of it as an investment in not giving up your bold experiment. It's not about martyrdom (especially when you're sick.) Take care of yourself!

And on that note, I hope you feel better soon.

by eriqa at 7:15 AM on 12 Oct 2007

Well,

at least you made it there safely.

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by biodiversivist at 8:36 AM on 12 Oct 2007

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