From
the Bottom of the Bucket
In the Hands of Angels
"Little Things are Big" - Yogi Berra
I am a bit late posting this month, but I have spent the last five weeks trying to get some semblance of order back into my daily living. Doctors and hospitals have been running my schedule and I just this morning finished with my rotation of medical providers. Now I am on a regular program of infusions twice per month until my cancer problem is resolved. Just as an aside, my immunotherapy appears to be working and I am guardedly optimistic.
Before I pick up where I was prior to this disruption, I want to comment on my experience with the "medical system". We, as a society, are prone to criticize the state of medical care in this country, but until you actually engage with it, you don't really appreciate what a dedicated and professional group of people populate the industry. A couple of examples.
My primary care doctor has been with me for twenty plus years. He is a down to earth scholarly (he has multiple degrees) who genuinely cares about my life. His assistant always returns our calls and I have never been in his office for more than an hour.
As he oversaw the process of the diagnosis of my cancer, I consulted with a litany of specialist both in and out of the hospital. In each case I was treated with professional, courteous care. I met many people who were inspiring.
Take "Nurse Betty" as an example. While sitting with me in a very busy pre-op room she told me that she had been in nursing for forty-eight years,, seventeen of them in ER, which is extremely demanding. Although she was recently widowed, she is easing into retirement and has big plans for the farm she owns. It was the personal touch that she added to my care that served to relax me for my pending procedure.
Then there was the specialist who had spent fourteen years in the Army as a special forces medical support doc. His philosophy was "put the patient first" and his bedside manner was reassuring, He recounted a story tat occurred when his unit came under fire and he casually moved to the bunker. When questioned why he did not run he said "surgeons never run, they walk with purpose". Now he was purposefully helping with my situation.
Of course, one of my heroes is my oncologist, whom I have known for twenty years. She treated my father, my brother and my sister in law. She is a kind and gentle person, who is all about care giving, unless she is pursuing her hobby of painting, which she is most gifted at. She cold have retired comfortably years ago, but proving good medical care for people is her passion. Lucky for me.
My neurologist inspires me every time we meet.. She gave up a lucrative position in research to work with patients, in a field that has precious few practitioners. I was one of her first patients and she continues to help me keep my Parkinson's stable, while encouraging me to live a full life.
My dermatologist demonstrated what care is about, having me meet him at his office the day my melanoma was diagnosed. He continued to be involved with the treatment plan, contacting me via text on his personal cell.
My cardiologist suffers from the same condition I do (atrial fib) - and he empathizes with my concerns about my heart. He is part of a large group, but they still manage to have me leave from my annual visit with confidence.
Finally, there is the cadre of technicians, lab workers, and patient support staff all who do their part with a smile and a word of encouragement. I am thankful that I live in a society where such caring and dedicated people devote their careers to providing such support.
I am not saying we can't improve, but before we cast a blanket of dispersions on the medical industry, give pause to consider the many individuals that give their careers to caring for those of us that need help.
Next month, I am going to share how I have adjusted my Roles and Activities in light of the external change that my health has brought on.
"Little Things are Big" - Yogi Berra
I am a bit late posting this month, but I have spent the last five weeks trying to get some semblance of order back into my daily living. Doctors and hospitals have been running my schedule and I just this morning finished with my rotation of medical providers. Now I am on a regular program of infusions twice per month until my cancer problem is resolved. Just as an aside, my immunotherapy appears to be working and I am guardedly optimistic.
Before I pick up where I was prior to this disruption, I want to comment on my experience with the "medical system". We, as a society, are prone to criticize the state of medical care in this country, but until you actually engage with it, you don't really appreciate what a dedicated and professional group of people populate the industry. A couple of examples.
My primary care doctor has been with me for twenty plus years. He is a down to earth scholarly (he has multiple degrees) who genuinely cares about my life. His assistant always returns our calls and I have never been in his office for more than an hour.
As he oversaw the process of the diagnosis of my cancer, I consulted with a litany of specialist both in and out of the hospital. In each case I was treated with professional, courteous care. I met many people who were inspiring.
Take "Nurse Betty" as an example. While sitting with me in a very busy pre-op room she told me that she had been in nursing for forty-eight years,, seventeen of them in ER, which is extremely demanding. Although she was recently widowed, she is easing into retirement and has big plans for the farm she owns. It was the personal touch that she added to my care that served to relax me for my pending procedure.
Then there was the specialist who had spent fourteen years in the Army as a special forces medical support doc. His philosophy was "put the patient first" and his bedside manner was reassuring, He recounted a story tat occurred when his unit came under fire and he casually moved to the bunker. When questioned why he did not run he said "surgeons never run, they walk with purpose". Now he was purposefully helping with my situation.
Of course, one of my heroes is my oncologist, whom I have known for twenty years. She treated my father, my brother and my sister in law. She is a kind and gentle person, who is all about care giving, unless she is pursuing her hobby of painting, which she is most gifted at. She cold have retired comfortably years ago, but proving good medical care for people is her passion. Lucky for me.
My neurologist inspires me every time we meet.. She gave up a lucrative position in research to work with patients, in a field that has precious few practitioners. I was one of her first patients and she continues to help me keep my Parkinson's stable, while encouraging me to live a full life.
My dermatologist demonstrated what care is about, having me meet him at his office the day my melanoma was diagnosed. He continued to be involved with the treatment plan, contacting me via text on his personal cell.
My cardiologist suffers from the same condition I do (atrial fib) - and he empathizes with my concerns about my heart. He is part of a large group, but they still manage to have me leave from my annual visit with confidence.
Finally, there is the cadre of technicians, lab workers, and patient support staff all who do their part with a smile and a word of encouragement. I am thankful that I live in a society where such caring and dedicated people devote their careers to providing such support.
I am not saying we can't improve, but before we cast a blanket of dispersions on the medical industry, give pause to consider the many individuals that give their careers to caring for those of us that need help.
Next month, I am going to share how I have adjusted my Roles and Activities in light of the external change that my health has brought on.
Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.
Bob
