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» a day in the life

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Patient 1 - A 48 year old woman is very tired, has headaches and abdominal pain. She is the primary caretaker of a mentally disabled 12 year old and her son's infant baby. I do not know where that mother is. They live on the husband's salary, netting about $400/month for all the "extras." Urine and fingerstick tests test tell me she is a new diabetic. I draw blood to be tested at our regular office, and give her enough pills for one week. John (my husband) gives her a brief lecture in Spanish about diet, while I go on to the next patient. She is very grateful. "Que le vaya con Dios," she says as she leaves. (God bless you)

Patient 2 - Another diabetic that we diagnosed several months back has been going to the local hospital free clinic. They have a fancy computer set-up, he sees resident physicians and they give him printed prescriptions. But he has no way to pay for his medicines. We are seeing him again, draw his blood, and give him samples and help him fill out the forms to get medicines through the generous private programs set up by the companies. He hands us $20, and "Que le vaya con Dios" as well.

Patient 3 - A middle aged patient with inoperable congenital heart disease cannot reach his cardiologist. No one returns his call. He needs disability papers filled out. We has first diagnosed him about 6 months ago, on death's door, and gave a the local hospital a donation to help with his care. He spent some time at the Deborah Hospital (a wonderful private charity heart hospital in central NJ). We take 10 minutes to fill out the papers and send him on his way, with a big smile on his face.

Patient 4 - A Moslem college student comes with a severe sore throat. He says he was turned away from the college health center because his ailment was "not covered." (?) We diagnose tonsillitis and give him antibiotic from a stock bottle donated from a pharmaceutical company. He smiles and hands us $15.

Patient 5 - The young man with OCD, who was $50,000 in credit card debt when we first met him, comes to see us again, a year later. We had painstakingly edged him into a full time job where he is very happy. He described an addiction to pornography and tells us that he has gotten into a 12 step program at a nearby church. We treat a skin rash, give him words of encouragement, and he cheerfully gives us $20. He credits us with saving his life.

Patient 6 - A young girl who works for a local convenience store, has a sore throat. No insurance, limited funds. She seems uptight, dresses and wears her hair like a man. We treat her kindly, give her some medicine. She peels off a $20 bill and gives us a big smile and a "thank-you so much." We hope to see her again and get to know her more.

We leave after two hours on a Wednesday night-- feeling blessed and having blessed six people. Now today, I will go off to my office and earn a living. No HMO's, cash payments, but equally stimulating and pleasant. No government "help." Alieta Eck, MD