"With a Conscience" - "Physician heal thyself."

"I have two doctors, my left leg and my right."

- G. M. Trevelyan - English Author and Academic (1876-1962)

        I've never been a huge fan of doctors.  The doctor my mom took me too when I was a little kid had a deep voice and he looked like Herman Munster from "The Munsters."  Although I lked Herman Munster better.  It was scary.  I will wholeheartedly admit it.  Today, as I have aged, doctors have become a part of the regular routine. If you can appreciate longetivity, you have to suck it up and make your appointments.  What I have not been prepared for these days is the lack of compassion and sensitivity that I have witnessed recently.  

    What I have witnessed is the medical profession is in the business of making money.  Profitability has taken the place of patient care.  Merger after merger of primary care offices, joining under the blankets corporate business, have resulted in less than stellar patient care.  From prescription availability to actually being able to speak to a "real" human being on the phone has become a travesty.  Let's get this straight...I do not want to text for an entire week to get my prescription filled or to make an appointment. I do not want to create an id and password to see the results of an MRI. I want my doctor who ordered the labs or precedures to call me, or call me into the offce and have the results explained to me. Further, if I have a major concern and voice my concerns clearly and logically in person it is my right to do so without being denied care.. Emails do not give the appropriate care.  They can be ignored.  I do not want to be dropped as a patient with no explanation given.  Medical care is just that..."CARE."  It means that no matter what the circumstances, every patient should come first. 

    I understand that many patients come into the office expecting miracles when they haven't taken the appropriate steps for their own health care.  Frustrating and aggravating as that might be, that's why doctors and nurses took their oaths.  Lifestyle changes are mandatory for better health and longevity.  The consequences can be extremely serious if we push aside our own responsibilties for better health.  However, patient care still matters too.  

    We pay the price when we ignore what is healthy.  Doctors pay the price when they pass judgement and show their insensitivity.  It really is that cut and dry.  Health care is at the top of people's concerns.  It's expensive even when you have benefits.  This is why we need to expect the very best from both the patient and the doctors who administer care.

"With a Conscience" - "Short people got..."

 

            I didn't notice I was "petite or short" until I got into junior high.  Up until then, I was like every other kid...Who knew? What I did know was that I was an incredibly happy kid with a great deal of energry, almost to the point of having attention deficit disorder...Or so I thought later on in my life.  Then in 1977, I was 15/16 years old at the time, the singer/song writer Randy Newman came out with a song called 'Short People."  Here is a sample of the lyrics.

                                                              Short people got no reason

                                                             Short people got no reason
                                                             Short people got no reason
                                                            To live

                                                            Short people are just the same
                                                            As you and I
                                                            (A fool such as I)
                                                            All men are brothers
                                                            Until the day they die
                                                            (It's a wonderful world)

            In fairness, the song ends on a positive, empathetic note but as a kid when I first heard it, I was mortified. But, I learned to sing the song and when teased I promptly sang that song to anyone who would listen.  Most people did.  Having a sense of humor about being "little" saved me and brought me into adulthood with a much thicker skin.  Believe me, a thicker skin was needed. I love having a thicker skin these days. Being 4'9" tall, you learn that although you have limtations, (My husband bought me two step stools for the house.) I have found that those limitations are ones I own.  No one else.  No one puts limitations on anyone and if there are limitations, you simply ask for help. I learned that the hard way...The only way, even if you're 4'9" tall.  

        One more thing...My grandmother was 4'10" tall. I learned from her that you can do anything...And she did just that. There were no limitations put on her.

"With a Conscience" - "The ties that bind..."

       
        Years ago, my mom made a homemade quilt. It was one of many she created with the love and skill like you've never seen.  It's quite a work of art and because I know full well it was made with the love and precision she was known for with her quilting.  It's on our bed right now.  King size for the Kings' and the comfort we are feeling right now just having it in the bedroom is beyond my comprehension.  It is a tie that will forever bind me to my mother and to many other people who have crossed my path.  See, it cultivates gratitude.  It cultivates the love I have for a great many people.  This is why I have a huge appreciation for those who have the attention span to accomplish what I deem the impossible.  

        It's interesting how certain items keep us close to those we loved and still love. Reminders that I need to live for the "now."  Of course I need to acknowledge my wedding band and engagement ring. Trust and strength are represented with those rings. When I had my cancer scare, King gave me this gorgeous glass lotus flower.  It sits on my desk and I focus on it each morning. He knew I would heal. My sister gave me knitted socks she made for Christmas.  How I love using them.  How they comfort me.  My other sissy weaved me place mats and potholders a towels.  They protect me and make cooking so much happier. I have two t-shirts that have "Paris" written on them from my college sister, my good friend for over 40 years. A former colleague have me candles that say "Paris" on the jar and when I burn them, I keep that goal alive.  A former colleague/friend of mine gave me a bracelet when I was being cancer-treated.  It read, " She needed a hero, so she became one." These are the ties that remind me that love is present and love matters.

        It's not about "things."  It used to be in my youth but not now.  Now. all that matters are reminders that I exist and that I can love and am loved.  Tonight, when I am sleepy and nestle in my bed, I will have the comfort of a quilt that reminds me that love is all that matters. The proof is in the quilt.