Hmmmm . . . back in 1976, after a bad pap smear, I got referred to a female oncologist who was supposed to be the bee's knees. She suggested a hysterectomy. I patiently explained that I had no money and no insurance. She said (without blinking an eye), "Well, in that case, there's a $40 office procedure." (Cryocautery)

There's a little bit of difference there, between major surgery and an office procedure. I felt like she had suggested a small nuclear device on a flyswatter -- and then she backed off when I didn't have the moola.

I had the cryo. It didn't work. (And I don't even want to go into the complications.) I ended up having a "cone biopsy" where they remove part of the cervix. Didn't cost me anything, because it was on a sliding scale, and Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME gave me incredibly good care and attention.

But the whole deal made me exceptionally cynical about the modern American medical establishment. And women doctors in particular.

Linn