Right vs. Wrong Medical Decisions.

Sunday, July 13, 2008 – 9:40 A.M.   Yesterday, I did not write anything here. I drove myself sick with worry about who was right concerning my back pain - my doctor or my physical therapist.   I have been going to the same doctor for more than ten years. He has always seen to all of my medical needs, both big and small. He is very cautious, knowledgeable, and keeps up-to-date on medical issues.   On the other hand, I have only known my physical for a few months. I have found her to be skillful and adept when helping me. I believe she is working the best she can in helping me to overcome whatever medical problems she can.   Both my doctor and physical therapist has reached a different diagnosis as to what is causing my back pain. Which one of them am I to believe? My physical therapist says I have spandylopsis, and my doctor says I do not have it. Who is right, and who is wrong?   I could continue going to get opinions from other doctor and therapists. That could result in my seeing countless medical people until I heard a medical diagnosis that I liked, rather than what is actually so.   After “stewing” about this for most of yesterday, I finally realized that all I was accomplishing by worrying was to upset myself even more than I was to begin with. I decided, last night, to keep moving forward with my life as much as possible. If that means continuing to take pain medication as my doctor said I should, then that is what I will do. If it also means going ahead with more traction therapy, along with pool therapy, I will do that as well.   I am hopeful that one or the other of these things will help me. There is no need to keep worrying myself to death about who is right or wrong. The doctor and physical therapist should be the ones making proper decisions regarding my care. I must remember that it is up to them, and not up to me, to carry out this important task. This is their field of expertise. I must learn to put my faith in their hands.   Quotes for Success:   “They never fail who die in a great cause.”   George Gordon, Lord Byron