More thinking on medical care

As I see it, each of us is responsible for our own medical care, and for those in our families and friends who cannot take responsibility for themselves -- the very young, the very old, and the very confused. 

I had to go online and check out which medicines I was taking that actually MADE me more constipated, for instance.  No doctor bothered telling me.  Our hospitals are more and more like third world hospitals where family must be there to tend the patient. 

What's my point?  Whining?  No, simply that to think clearly we MUST take responsibility for our own lives. 

I've been gone

because I had a knee replaced.  Thinking about it I note that while my orthopedic surgeon did a great job on the knee, and my internist referred me, noone in the medical community looked after the "whole me".  I had some intestinal issues.  "Not my job" was the general response I got. 

So I wonder -- is it this way for most people?  Do they think a medical professional gives a hoot about anything but his or her special part of a procedure? 

What do you think?  What has been your experience?  Leave a comment and let us know.