When I went to the doctor for the first time with a complaint about ringing in my ears, I received a cursory hearing test. I was told that the cause was part of the aging process in many people.

After several visits with some other ailments and each time complaining about the ringing, I was referred to a specialist. I think I got the referral because I also complained about severe headaches. All told, it was about a year before the referral was made.

It took four weeks to get an appointment with a head-and-neck specialist. A complete hearing test was performed before I saw the doc. While she was not the specialist I was referred to, she did a thorough job.

After examining me, she told me that she didn't think there was anything serious. But. She wanted an MRI. I asked when and where that might be. She told me that "health care care is rationed in Canada." She thought the appointment would be in mid-October (about five months) and that I would get a call from one of the two hospitals in Victoria.

Five days later I received a letter from the Vancouver Island Health Authority telling me that the appointment would be a 6:30 pm on April 28, 2010. It would be at Royal Jubilee hospital.

Most Americans would find this intolerable. So do many Canadians. They either seek a private facility with a cost of $800 and a two-eek wait. Or, they head to the States. The cost in Seattle for a same day appointment is between $2,000 and $2,300. Been there done that (for a different complaint) before moving here.

That's my story. Let's hope the doctor is correct that the ringing in the ears / headache are not serious.

If so and hospitalization is needed, I am likely to have three roommates after who knows how long a wait, in Victoria. In Seattle, it would be a semi-private room or, maybe, even a private room. There would be no additional charge for a TV or telephone. In Victoria, you pay for both...