In
a physician's exam room in a universe that may be closer to home than
you would like to think:
Doctor:
Good afternoon, Mr. More, what seems to be the problem today?
Patient:
It's very odd. I have a fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, and I'm
hearing Barry White on a loop pounding against my eardrums.
Doctor:
Ah, yes, BeeGees fever; it's going around right now. I'll give you
just the thing to clear that up in no time.
Patient:
Uh, no, Dr. Robertson Justice, it's not Barry Gibb. It's Barry
White...completely different.
Doctor:
Well, nevertheless, these pills for BeeGees fever should clear it up
in no time. If you're still sick in a week, come back and I'll redo
your meds.
What
just happened here? Number One, the physician was thinking if it
walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it's a duck. Number
Two, the patient was thinking that he knew his body better than the
doctor did, and that the physician obviously wasn't paying attention
to him.
About
ten years ago, a local physician was treating scores of children with
a common respiratory complaint. He had no qualms about diagnosing a
two year-old girl with the same malady. Unfortunately, the child had
something much more serious and quickly passed away when it was
untreated.
Right
now, we're seeing several of our friends who have been treated for a
cold-like lower respiratory illness only to discover they actually
have bronchitis. You know your body better than anyone. Unless you're
a card-carrying hypochondriac, you're not making up symptoms or
turning freckles into the plague.
If
you have the money or the insurance, get a second opinion if you're
not totally satisfied with the first. It's your body, your health,
and your right to know what's wrong.
Here's
hoping everyone enjoys a healthy late fall and a robust winter...
Nurse Nan
