Expounding upon nothing

Let's see how long I can keep you until you get bored.
Today, I took apart a clothes pin to put on my finger to replace the medical splint that the doctor had given to me. I'd actually like to see how much they charged my insurance company for the two splints that I got. I'm sure it was much more expensive than the cost of a clothes pin. Probably more than a bag of clothes pins. Actually probably more than the entire stock of bags of clothes pins at Target tonight. Well, in order to lengthen my story, let me start from the beginning.

Three years ago we moved from Denver to Massachusetts. I got a job here, got Fallon insurance, and had to choose a "Primary care physician." I chose one half way between my home and work so that if I got sick in either place and needed to go to the doctor's I could easily go from either place.

Since then, I have been to my doctor about 9 times. Twice for an annual physical, three times for sprained ankles, once for a pain in my wrist, once for back pain, once for an injury from a 200 mile bike ride, and once for a "jammed finger."

So, how has my doctor helped?
Physical - You're doing great, keep it up (How much did that cost? I'm glad my insurance paid for it)

Sprained ankles - take some Advil and call me in he morning. Yes, I ignored his advice considering that my medical file says that I'm allergic to Ibuprophin.

Pain in my wrist - gave me a brace and told me to wear it, but I don't think he told me how long, so I just didn't except at night.

Back pain - this is one of the times when you wish you didn't have a primary care doctor because you wouldn't have to go "get permission" to go to a chiropractor. I'm sure he still charged the normal office visit fee for the 2 minutes he spent with me.

Injury from bike ride - "overuse" - again... Take some Advil. Again I didn't take his advise.
Jammed finger - he sent me to a orthopedic surgeon. I went and guess what the surgeon's advise was ... Yes! Take some Advil and wear this brace ... or this one ... or this one.

Well, I've been wearing this brace for over 6 weeks and the swelling from January still hasn't gone down. But to be fair, it's probably because I haven't been taking my Advil. Kristen also says that I didn't go to the doctor's when I should have (i.e. I waited about 6 weeks). I figure that if I hadn't waited he wouldn't have sent me to a specialist.

For those of you who are still reading...

Take some Advil call me in the morning.