Knee prognosis?

Ok...I went to the doc, the doc sent me to radiology for an XRAY(insurance requirement), now I have to go AGAIN to radiology for an MRI, which will most likely let the original doc know what is going on with my knee, AND which hopefully he knew all along. Does it take all of this to get a decent diagnosis? This measly little exercise has taken a week...some of it is my fault, some of it NOT. When I say, "taken this long" I am wondering by the time all is said and done, what the MRI will show, who will get the results, how long it will take to get in to see my doc, and then how long for the specialist, then for CHRIST SAKES, how many $15 co pays will it take to get some relief?? My insurance is already $200 per month with the school paying another $600 to BCBSTX. I wonder...If I didn't have insurance, what kind of treatment would have come my way. I will tell you, because I have been in pain and without insurance. I would go to the emergency room at the county hospital and wait for hours for a doctor to see me. I would not get a doctor, I would more than likely get an NP (Nurse Practioner) who would treat me like a destitute(because I didn't have an insurance card) old lady with arthritic old legs. They would give me a prescription for an NSAD that would rip my stomach to shreds, then tell me to lose weight and "good luck, you are 30 years too late to fix this problem!" I have been there and do not want to return. I have to wonder what happens to others who do not have the resources that have, by the grace of God, come my way.

At any rate, tomorrow, the MRI. The future? Who knows at this point. As I sit here, a cold front approaching, I remain optimistic until I try to walk! and I am only going to bed.