My BFF just told me her long-time boyfriend (seven years) has some kind of immediate liver problem, and he won't go to the hospital. Apparently he took some test for a medical trial he wanted to be part of, and when the lab work came back, they told him to go to the hospital. Right now. And he won't go. No reason, just doesn't think it's all that big a deal. She's beside herself with worry. She's afraid he's going to die, and he just doesn't seem to get why she's so upset. She's also told me that he's been throwing up a couple times a day for years now, and has never seen a doctor about it. He just drinks, and then he feels better, so it's okay. I don't understand people who refuse to go see a doctor when they're clearly ill. Now I'm worried about the guy, too. My BFF is a rock-steady practical woman; if she's worried, there's reason to be. Dumb guy, he should go just because she's worried!

I don't know. I kind of understand why your BFF's boyfriend might not go, even if it's stupid. Sometimes being in denial is easier than getting a diagnosis, especially if you know that you haven't been taking care of yourself properly.

Does he have health insurance?

Adult onset allergies are cruel.

Yes.

Oh, Zenkitty that is rough. I went through that with my mom and, to a certain extent, with CKD (includes both kids). His refusal to care for himself was so completely frustrating.

I get being in denial, but I don't get continuing to deny there's any problem at all once there's something concrete, like actual lab work.

He does not have health insurance, nor any money. But he knows he can still get treatment at the emergency room, and he knows the hospital will likely work with him on paying the bill. Granted, lack of money is a factor, but that's not the reason he isn't going; it's the excuse.

Zen, sadly, I understand. Aforementioned housemate has had a weird growth on his face for years and refuses to see a doctor about it. And he has excellent health insurance! He figures if it hasn't keeled him yet, it's not going to. Apparently he doesn't mind hiding his gruesomeness under a bandaid most days of the year.

Suzi, yeah, the husband of one of my friends recently had a long hospital stay and surgery and a difficult recovery because he refused for months to go to a doctor for his stomach pain. Finally he collapsed and the ambulance came and took him, against his protests. Turned out he had an almost complete blockage in his intestine that would have killed him pretty soon. I don't think that people who do that really understand how frustrating and frightening their behavior is for the people who care about them.

javachik, good lord, a growth on his *face* and he doesn't go? Argh.

And,

I don't look much like my family. There's no chance I was adopted, but I'm still holding out for switched at birth.

I don't either! Both sides of my family are short people; my father's people are sturdy and kinda square, and my mom's people are thin and redheaded. Me? Tall, long of face and proportion, and, um, well-developed, and this dark curly hair/pale skin combo is unique in the entire county I grew up in. I always felt like a funny-looking weirdo when I was a kid, because seriously, no one else around looked at all like me.

I always felt like a funny-looking weirdo when I was a kid, because seriously, no one else around looked at all like me.

Well, now you're a sexy looking weirdo and you've got us.

I kinda wondered about my appearance in relation to my family and look where that ended up.