I'm alright, thanks.

That was actually meant to be a narrative of some freedom from these vultures and how I came to recognise and just walk away from the predatory part of the health industry here, while staying on top of those things that are worthwhile.

It all boils down to two questions. Does whatever you are about to participate in follow medical principles of diagnosis followed by effective treatment, such as antibiotics for a bacterial infection, a stent in a blocked artery in the heart, my spinal fusion?

Second, is there a promise of improvement on my quality of life? If yes to both questions, then I'm on board.

If its another one of these long drawn-out hook 'em and play 'em exercises where nothing really is done or can be done, I have better things to do. Those sorts of predators and corporate schemers are identifiable by those two questions, no matter how often they play the "your healthcare team here to help you manage your health" card. One of those enablers is our Medicare system itself, by the way.

I have sworn to stop playing the game, go out and use that time to do something that can give me a bit of joy in spite of this angry, unhappy, miserable country we here are forced to endure. Any way one can take some of the baggage and cast it aside is a positive thing. Lord knows we need it!