Health Update

 Update on findings. ER's are like ER's at hospitals. They are costly. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Urgent Cares are like mini doctors' offices. Limited hours, limited days. If you can make the Urgent Care facilities work for your ailment, it is the best choice. It will take research to know all the particulars. I have put this info into my phone. DHR Urgent Care 1421 N Col Rowe Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501 

Closes 10 PM  Phone: (956) 362-5030

The one above happens to be the nearest one to us.

I thought I had this healthcare system in the RGV figured out. I did not. My plan from a few years ago was to establish a relationship with a clinic and a doctor and it seemed to work for a while. I kept getting letters from the clinic that my "doctor" had left but I would be assigned a new one. This happened several times. The last one "Dr. Arvan" left without my knowledge I found out yesterday. He wasn't worth much anyway.

I was diagnosed with Bronchitis a week ago at the Alamo ER and was on a regimen to rid me of the nasty stuff. Yesterday I decided I should be better than I was. I was getting frequent coughing fits that were unproductive. So I decided to see if I could get into the clinic. It seemed like the simplest way to go. I was told I was no longer affiliated with that clinic and my "doctor" was no longer there. I was caught way off guard by this. The cold, grumpy receptionist told me to go to an ER. They were full up with appointments, all the doctors were at lunch and I had no chance of being seen.

So we went to DHR Emergency room. It happened to be the closest. I was treated well. We were there for 3-4 hours but the system was well run. The bottom line is that I am dealing with a virus and there is naught to do but get through it. I have no infection. They tested me for over 40 viruses and I have Human metapneumovirus. It means I will have a cough of various degrees until I don't. The doctor said another week or more.

So it seems that if you are in the RGV and need to see a doctor go to one of the freestanding ER's. They are all over the place. Some are called Urgent Care but they are essentially all the same and all connected in one way or another. The day of having your own personal doctor is pretty much behind us. Sad but true.