Tell Me Again Why I Need A Doctor…

Sometimes I wonder how the medical profession has really helped me.
Just a few examples although others exist.


1980 (December) - Just out of University and having found part-time employment in medical related research, I began experiencing severe and debilitating ‘attacks‘. Attacks so sudden and severe that at each episode (usually daily), I thought I was surely going to die. Doctors (at least 3) could not provide a diagnosis nor offer effective treatment. Various sedatives and tranquilizers were prescribed with no effect - the attacks continued. This went on for 5 years, until 1985 when I became aware of a particular prescription drug as well as a ‘source’ for it. Conducting my own experiment, I took the drug and almost immediately the attacks stopped. I approached my doctor about having the drug, a mild anti-depressant, prescribed legitimately to which he agreed. I never again experienced those ‘attacks’ which now the medical community refer to as “anxiety attacks”. Years later I find I no longer need the prescription but I lost five years of my life to a living hell in the interim. Thanks Doc…

2006 (April) - Severe back pain from what I believed was a sprained back (probably started that way). With my doctor having recently given up his practice, I had yet to find a new family physician. Went to a ‘Walk-In Clinic’ to see a doctor. No examination or tests, just received a prescription for an analgesic (pain pills) and a muscle relaxant. By the end of the month I became a paraplegic due to a Staphylococcal infection on the spinal cord. Thanks Doc…

2006 (May through December) - While in the hospital my left ear plugged up to where I was virtually deaf on that side. Pushing behind the earlobe where the eustachian tube runs all I could hear was a watery squishing sound. Three doctors over two institutions examined my ear with a otolaryngoscope declared me healthy. They found no problem although I continued to remain deaf. Months later, on my discharge from the hospital I obtained some cotton balls soaked in hydrogen peroxide and kept infusing the fluid into my ear. Within days large amounts of dark material began to ooze out of the ear canal and as it lessened, my hearing returned. Thanks Doc…

2007- present - severe burning neurogenic (nerve) pain from the injury sustained in 2006. Told by each doctor that nothing can be done to relieve this particular type of pain other than the ineffective drugs already taken. Told to live with it - nothing can be done. Thanks Doc…

Sciatic nerve pain from some muscle imbalance resulting from the same injury. Told by various doctors that nothing can be done. On describing the pain to one doctor, his response was to tell me in some detail about his own bout with sciatic nerve pain. That makes me feel better, thanks Doc…

Other than the doctor that slapped my ass when I came into this world, and perhaps the one who neurosurgeon who performed my back surgery(1) , I can’t think of how my health has been better by being in the care of these professionals.

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Remember - out ever every graduating class of new doctors, someone finished at the bottom of their class. Doctors are human too and have all the frailties that the general population has.

(1) Still wonder why I could move my toes right after surgery but not later in my recovery.

Thanks Doc...

A Few Thoughts On Injury & Recovery

Just a few thoughts on Injury & Recovery

I did not need to hear “you’ll never walk again” - drawled out in a ‘ho-hum’ manner from not one, but two doctors on two occasions. A doctor will never admit to not knowing. If too full of oneself to admit to not knowing, then at least say “the odds are against it”. Science and medicine are advancing at dizzying rates and what is impossible today may be common place tomorrow. Regardless, don’t remove the last vestige of hope and the last incentive to try and fight the condition. Doctors should always stress the positive, offering hope and encouragement. The reality of individual situations will reveal itself along the road of recovery, however small or great.

I did not need to hear “you’ll be up and about in no time” - countless friends and acquaintances regaled me with stories of their ‘uncle’ who was paralyzed from the nose to the toes but has now recovered to qualify as a contestant on ‘Dancing With The Stars’. False hope is of no help either for I begin feeling that if I’m not progressing at a sufficiently quick rate, or I fail to recover, I’m letting those same friends down.

“We don’t know, the body is amazingly resilient in healing itself, great strides are being made in medicine - keep on fighting and see where you can get to” That I’ll accept with a “Thank You”.

I thank all my friends, family and acquaintances for their prayers for my recovery. I am truly appreciative of everyone’s prayers on my behalf. That said, I don’t believe my injury occurred because of God. It’s was not God’s action, it was a bacterial action in my case - an infection.
I also believe that any recovery will be due to whatever innate ability my body has to heal itself. It will be applied science, biology, chemistry, physiology, neurology, anatomy, histology & physiotherapy mixed with whatever determination I can muster.

As for God, I personally have no right to ask for God’s divine intervention to heal me, miraculously or otherwise. If God was to intervene, there are hospitals in cities and countries that are full of innocent children who are afflicted with terrible injuries and diseases with their distraught parents suffering at their bedsides. I just don’t see God helping me as long as these children suffer. Help them…. I’ll see how far I get on my own…