You’ve probably heard the statistics. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. 1 in every 3 women die of heart disease. Etc.
What these statistics don’t tell us, however, is the story of the individual.
How did it begin? What steps did she take to determine the problem? How long did it take before she found the correct diagnosis? At that point, was it too late?
It’s a long, hard road leading to the truth. It’s easy for us to accept what we hear so long as it’s coming from somebody in a lab coat. Especially when medicines are prescribed and assurances are given.
But in doing so, we are doing ourselves a tremendous disservice.
You see, for all the well intentioned, highly educated physicians out there; the one thing they all lack is time. No doubt they’d like to spend more time with you, (after all, you waited 45 minutes for them), but, alas, three minutes is all they have. Finding the correct diagnosis in three minutes is impossible.
While the pressure placed upon our physician limits his time, maybe that’s not the whole of the problem. Perhaps it’s our perception of his authority that requires more attention.
Question Authority
Just typing that makes me nervous. Its as if some guys in dark suits and sunglasses are going to crash through the walls at any minute.
You see, by nature, I didn’t question authority. I believed what I was told. I believed what I read on the Internet; what the 6:00 news guy said and what my doctor told me. Until my health concerns were dismissed.
That’s when I realized what a dope I was.
If we don’t take a moment to check for the truth of a matter, how do you know it’s the truth? Simple concept; I know. And yet, we all are guilty of it.
So, the next time your ‘spidey senses’ tell you that what you just heard from your doctor just don’t seem right, trust it. After all, it’s your heart. You have no other choice but to get this one right.
How have you questioned authority?
Rebecc Fortunato
http://rebeccasheart.wordpress.com/
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Add a Comment2 Comments
Absolutely. Nobody knows your lifestyle, eating habits, activities of daily living, and your body better than you. If we feel like our doctor doesn't know enough information about us to determine what is wrong with us it is up to us as patients to inform them as much as we can. I am what you'd call a babbling patient. I will repeat things as many times as necessary and sometimes even give too much information. Even with that I still think they sometimes miss things but I've done my best and after that I go with my gut instinct.
Physicians are not gods, they can't save everyone, nor will they be right with 100% of their patients. But to those Physicians out there who truly listen and try to find a cure-- I give much respect to.
February 7, 2010 - 1:36pmThis Comment
Thank you for sharing this story. This is so common, not only with heart disease but for any ailment. The scary thing to me is that most people take Doctor orders as factual and do not question the authority. I think time restraints and also pharmaceutical companies making so much money off of doctor orders, cause many people more strife.
The best thing though, there is a great site such as EmpowHer where you can do some research yourself and be prepared to pose some great questions. Thank you EmpowHer for the tools necessary for good health.
February 7, 2010 - 10:22amThis Comment