Thinking about Health

Consider getting a second opinion. In 1957 I suffered an aggravating health problem so I went to one of the most highly respected physicians in Fort Worth. After the doctor examined me, he said I needed to come in for surgery as soon as I could take two weeks off all activity. I was in the middle of graduate studies and saw no way to miss that much school for two weeks, so I continued to endure the aggravation.

But it got worse, so I decided to take advantage of the school doctor. He was free. He was a seasoned teacher at Baylor Medical School in Dallas, who gave one day a week to the school. I went to see him. I told him what the other doctor had said. The old medical school physician examined me, and told me I did not need surgery at all. He suggested a few ways to alleviate the aggravation.

Considerate thinking. Considerate medical thinking. Since I could not easily follow the first doctor’s recommendation, I gave the matter some thought and considered getting another opinion. But then I had to consider two conflicting medical recommendations. How was I to know which was right? Both were highly regarded in their field.

One of the essential elements in considerate thinking is to use all the time you have available before a decision must be made. At least, if possible, sleep on it. Let the unconscious mind do some of your thinking. Of course there are times when decisions must be made and action taken immediately. In those cases instant consideration is given to the consequences of delay. This spurs us to a prompt decision.

I decided to take some time considering both options. Inertia set in. The recommendations of the second doctor helped, so I continued to delay decision. Of course the decision to postpone decision is a decision not to act right then. The end of the story is that, almost by default, I decided against the surgery that I had been told was needed as soon as possible.

That was fifty years ago. I’ve not had the surgery and have gotten by, most of the time, quite well.

If you have any question about a doctor’s diagnosis or recommendations, consider getting a second opinion.

Recently, a relative was having some memory problems and thought perhaps Alzheimer’s was the problem. A specialist was consulted and within five minutes, Alzheimer’s was confirmed. Further testing that morning substantiated the five minute judgment.

Thinking about this devastating diagnosis that promises such a black and bleak future, a second opinion was considered. The family physician doubted the disturbing diagnosis, and recommended a nationally acclaimed doctor who has developed the first definitive, objective test for Alzheimer’s.

After seven hours of careful testing, the national expert reversed the diagnosis. With a more than 95% certainty, the doctor assured that the problem was not serious and certainly was not Alzheimer’s. Unimaginable relief.

Think about it; always consider a second opinion.
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Many other medical matters call for considerate thinking.

• Is my condition serious enough to go to the doctor, or do I decide just to live with it or try any of a variety of home remedies and means of relief?

• Do I trust the doctor completely, or do I ask questions, perhaps hard questions?

• Do I eat a healthy diet, exercise, get proper sleep, and take other measures to maintain good health, or do I merely do as I please, trusting in the medical community to fix whatever might go wrong?

• When medicine is prescribed, do I take the brand name or consider the generic? Do I, without further thought, merely trust the doctor and take the prescribed medication, or do I consult information about possible side effects?

• If I am diagnosed with cancer, do I take radiation and chemo, both of which potentially have miserable side effects, or do I take my chances without such treatment? There are many things to consider.

• Do I want to draw up an advance directive, a living will? What do I want done if death looks imminent? Do I want heroic measures to be taken when I am no longer able to live without artificial support–measures such as resuscitation, the use of a feeding tube, or oxygen equipment that breathes for me?

These and many other health-related issues need to be thought through dialectically: On the one hand; but on the other hand; yes, but on the other hand; yes, but. . . . Sometimes we have to think like an octopus because there are several hands to consider.

Our health, well-being, and life itself depend in large measure on the quality and extent of our thinking.

I hope it is well with you today. But think also about tomorrow.