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Mint
23-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Im Glad I Got Appendicitis in the UK (Not the US)
Since I was a child, I've been terrified of appendicitis. There was no horseplay with my cousins and siblings after a meal. I suspect that myth was helpful to parents who wanted their children well-behaved in spite of post-dessert sugar highs. Still, everyone is born with an appendix and so we are all at risk one way or another. There are enough horror stories to make us wary. Most famously: Harry Houdini, the legendary magician and escape artist, who couldn't escape from a belatedly attended, ruptured appendix. He died of peritonitis — the bacterial infection of the abdominal cavity caused by pus from the burst appendix — on Halloween 1926, the 11th day after he'd noticed symptoms and about a week after surgery. All that said, appendicitis — and the appendectomies performed to rid people of the acute infections — is routinely dealt with nowadays, with some 280,000 cases in the US and about 50,000 in the UK every year. The procedures are mostly done laparoscopically with three small incisions that allow a small, lighted camera to guide surgeons toward the inflamed organ to remove it. There are few complications, though soreness and tenderness can last for a few weeks after. It is, despite the small incisions, major surgery. Most cases involve people 30 or younger, perhaps — as some studies surmise — because hormonal activity may lead to the blockage of the appendix's opening to the large intestine, the condition that leads to the inflammation of the finger-like, 2- to 4-inch-long tendril-like pouch. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal underwent an appendectomy in 2015 when he was 28; he went on to win seven more grand-slam titles. That doesn't mean that older people don't get appendicitis, but it's much less prevalent. Houdini was 52, and I was 65 when I came down with it two weeks ago. I'm recovering fine from the surgery. But, as a dual US-UK citizen, it has led me to think about the cost of the operation if I had come down with appendicitis in the US and not the UK. There is constant talk among Americans of the unexpected deductibles that come with insurance. Even with Medicare — which I qualify for and am enrolled in — the 2025 deductible for inpatient hospital care is $1,676. That's what's Medicare Part A requires you to pay before it starts covering for the remainder of your treatment. One estimate has the uninsured cost of an appendectomy to be about $7,000. There may be more costs. All procedures, not just appendectomies, can be broken down into distinct categories of medication, treatment and rehabilitation. Those may be covered by Medicare Parts B, C, D. There are other parts of the Medicare alphabet — and variations on it sold by the big health insurance companies — but I'm afraid to find out why I might need them. For those under 65, a comprehensive private medical insurance policy — either paid by you or your employer — will cover most of the costs of an appendectomy. The big if is if the emergency — which is what acute appendicitis is, meaning it might strike at the most unexpected moments — lands when you are inconveniently away from the health providers in your insurance company's medical network . There are excruciating stories online about people who are rushed into hospitals on the verge of peritonitis, only to be hit by out-of-pocket bills of tens of thousands of dollars that insurance refuses to cover due to a variety of technicalities. Oh, and there are still deductibles even if you have 'good' insurance. You can always get a separate policy that covers potential deductibles, but that'll be extra. The paperwork in the US that comes with an appendectomy — or any other major procedure — can be overwhelming. The threat is enough to make you work to stay as healthy as you can. No horsing around. Forever. In the UK, the National Health Service estimates that an emergency appendectomy will cost it as much as £2,200-plus for an adult, though that can reduce by almost half depending on location. You can also opt for private medical care if you don't want to go through the long NHS waits for consultation or the crowded emergency rooms . It was late Friday night when I realized I was most likely suffering from appendicitis . If so, I knew not to tough it out like Houdini. But my NHS doctor's office in the neighborhood was closed. I didn't know of a private service to call. So I headed for the nearest open A&E: Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, a district best known as the haunt for Jack the Ripper. When I got to Royal London at midnight, there must have been 40 people ahead of me, but every hour saw a little bit of progress moving up the queue. I was given pain medication early on, then moved to the 'same-day emergency care' section where I got a CT scan to confirm my and the attending physicians' suspicions. By the time I was walked — gingerly and in bright-red non-slip socks — to the surgical theatre , it was 12 hours since I'd got to the A&E. There were no rooms for me post-surgery, so they kept me in the very ample recovery ward overnight. I was sent home by Sunday afternoon with two weeks' worth of painkillers. My monetary cost for all this? £0.00 — and barely any paperwork except on surgical consent forms and the post-op recommendations for getting better and follow-ups. The full name of the troublesome little extension in our intestinal tract is 'vermiform appendix' — vermiform coming from the Latin for worm-like. The ancient Egyptians may have noticed it in the mummification process because they described something as the 'worm of the bowels.' But it wasn't 'vermiform appendix' until Italian anatomists described it as such in the 16th century. The first successful operation to remove an inflamed appendix was performed in London in 1735, though it wouldn't be until 1886 that appendicitis was scientifically defined. How many human beings have died of peritonitis caused by the worm we were all born with? It's impossible to guess. To avoid emergencies, astronauts and polar explorers got their appendixes removed as a rule before going on their far-ranging expeditions. Famously, a Soviet surgeon assigned to Antarctica had to perform his own appendectomy in 1961 — without general anesthesia — because he was the only medic on the base. For an older patient, appendicitis may indicate other conditions, potentially serious. I'll deal with them if they turn up. Right now, I'm glad I hurried to the hospital that Friday night. On Sunday morning in Royal London, as I was waiting to be discharged, I overheard a doctor telling a fellow patient in the recovery ward: 'You have very bad appendicitis. We can't operate. We will have to give you antibiotics for a week here and then we will reassess.' The patient was in so much pain, a moan was the only response I could make out. I shuffled off in my bright-red, non-slip socks, a survivor of appendicitis but still terrified. More From Bloomberg Opinion: A foreigner who falls ill in the UK and requires treatment from the NHS is usually charged 150% of the what the procedure would normally cost. You may argue that I've paid for it via the UK's higher taxes. Well, I'm glad I paid my taxes then. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Howard Chua-Eoan is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering culture and business. He previously served as Bloomberg Opinion's international editor and is a former news director at Time magazine. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Forbes
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Magic, Endurance, And The Global Quest For Extraordinary Feats
"David Blaine: Do Not Attempt" is a 6-part National Geographic series featuring incredible human ... More feats. David Blaine is a name synonymous with magic. Yes, he has established himself as a master of street magic, but that is not the magic I am referring to. While most magicians rely on illusion, gadgets, and cutting-edge technology, Blaine's magic is grounded in raw human endurance, discipline, and the ability to push the limits of both body and mind. I spoke with him about his upcoming six-part series 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt,' and how it takes viewers on a global journey exploring extraordinary cultures and the physical feats that can seem as impossible as the most intricate magic trick. As the series unfolds, Blaine takes viewers to 9 different countries across 5 continents to explore the boundaries of human stamina and focus. Unlike the traditional "magic shows" where the focus is on tricks and sleight of hand, this series immerses Blaine in real, tangible feats of endurance. In each location, Blaine encounters masters who possess incredible abilities honed over years or passed down through centuries. These individuals, often without any formal guidebook, push their bodies to do what most believe is impossible. From bending the human body in ways that defy physics to surviving extreme environments, the "magic" in these feats isn't about tech gadgets or illusions—it's about mastering the body and mind through relentless practice and unwavering focus. Cyril Takayama (wearing the David mask) demonstrates his fire hand trick for David Blaine. Blaine shared with me about growing up in Brooklyn with a single mother, and the hours he spent at the library while his mother worked. The library exposed him to new worlds and formed the essence of his drive. 'Harry Houdini was fascinating to me because he was doing things that to me, were magical. He was getting chained up and thrown into a river, and had to escape and defy death before he drowned. So I considered that magical. So being able to push your body to a place that it shouldn't be able to go, and being able to overcome what's most people's physical limitations, or at least what scientists and doctors consider to be possible, that was exciting for me.' Blaine summed up, 'So Harry Houdini holding his breath for three and a half minutes at the time for me, was mind blowing magic.' This sense of exploration and vulnerability is the heart of 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt.' For Blaine, magic is not just about deceiving the eye—it's about conquering what seems impossible, much like his hero, Harry Houdini, who defied death through physically demanding and life-threatening feats. While 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt' doesn't rely on technology, it's impossible to ignore how modern magic has evolved alongside technological advancements. Today, magicians often blend state-of-the-art illusions with digital wizardry—augmented reality, high-tech projections, and artificial intelligence are common in grand performances. However, Blaine's feats stand apart. They are rooted in mental and physical prowess, not digital trickery. We talked about how much of magic still comes down to physical and mental endurance and requires hundreds or thousands of hours to truly master—there is no 'magic' technology that instantly makes you an illusionist. But, Blaine emphasized, 'Really the magic is there are 1000s and 1000s of hours of pushing through pain, working on something, failing, repetitively, having no guidebook.' Blaine's philosophy of magic is less about gadgets and more about the gritty, behind-the-scenes work that transforms the human body into a tool capable of astonishing feats. He also stressed, 'Those are the things that since I was a kid I've been fascinated with, but the show is called, 'Do Not Attempt,' because nobody should try these things.' Blaine explained that even though the feats displayed in the series may look effortless, these people have dedicated their lives and countless hours and years of training to accomplish them. This return to pure, human-powered magic in 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt' is a reminder that despite the dazzling advancements in technology, some of the most impressive acts still require something more primal—the mastery of one's own body. Throughout the series, Blaine attempts extraordinary feats that are as physically demanding as they are dangerous. One standout moment is his attempt at the "steak knife in the head" trick, shared below in the exclusive clip from National Geographic. Blaine recounted the experience of seeing the feat performed and asking to be shown how to do it. 'I did exactly what he said—and you are on the edge of the nervous system, so it is very dangerous—but I slowly did exactly as he said, the exact way that he said. I trusted him and therefore I was able to do it on my own.' He added, 'So then I went to get an x-ray, because I knew most people would think like, 'Oh, this can't be real. The knife probably retracts.' So I did it so it everybody could see.' This act is a testament to Blaine's unwavering commitment to pushing his limits. It also highlights the series' overarching theme: While the world of magic may seem based on illusion, the feats that Blaine performs are as real as they come. They require meticulous preparation, hours of practice, and a willingness to endure extreme physical and mental stress. One of the most fascinating aspects of Blaine's travels is how he connects with local cultures and uncovers the hidden talents that have been passed down for generations. The magic in these regions isn't about deceiving an audience with tricks—it's about resilience and mastery. Whether it's the control of the body to survive extreme conditions or learning from ancient rituals, these moments capture the essence of magic in its purest form. As Blaine traveled across the globe, he didn't just learn stunts; he learned stories. He encountered masters who had dedicated their lives to honing their craft—whether that meant surviving the freezing waters of the Arctic Circle or learning to perform dangerous feats with venomous creatures like king cobras. These individuals, who have spent their lives cultivating their skills, embody a kind of magic that has nothing to do with illusions or technology but everything to do with the human spirit. In a world where technology often blurs the lines between reality and illusion, 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt' reminds us what makes magic truly spectacular—the unyielding dedication of the human spirit. At its core, the series emphasizes that the real magic lies in human endurance, physical mastery, and mental strength. It is not about illusions that rely on gadgets or technology but about feats that test the body's limits and push the mind to new extremes. It is about discovering that the most extraordinary magic of all is not found in a deck of cards or a high-tech illusion, but in the raw, powerful capabilities of the human body and mind. 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt' invites viewers to witness magic in its most visceral, authentic form—through pain, perseverance, and mastery over one's own limits. It's a journey into the heart of what it means to push the impossible and discover that the true magic lies in the extraordinary feats we are capable of achieving when we refuse to give up. That said, a deck of cards in the hands of a masterful street magician is still really awesome, too. 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt' premiers on National Geographic on March 23.
