Yesterday I went to my country doctor, an Osteopath, and had a great woman to woman visit.

She checked out my extraction and said the blood clot is in there doing its job, my lymph node swelling had gone down, my blood pressure was back to my normal, and we had a brief but meaningful discussion of our own lives, our futures, death, and getting caught up in chasing down every little symptom. How helpful it is to remember death is a natural universal process.

Then she said, "You know you are doing better than when I saw you 9 months ago."

It was an opportunity and I took it. I said "I have started taking CBD oil."

She said, "Cool. How much?"

I said, "a grain of rice a day."

She said, "What is recommended dose?"

I said, "4 times a day," and we laughed because I always take the smallest amount possible of medicines.

She said, "I think you will like taking it twice a day."

 so I am. Hooray! A body soul mind healing doctor visit!

I gave up the fear of admitting to using a natural medicine! She said it could also help with bone pain from arthritis and scoliosis. 

So to the few people on boards who have told me to "tell your doctor what you are taking!" thanks to you too as it is a huge relief to be out of the closet. 

How it goes with me is going to help her other patients, she left me feeling good about myself and life.  

It's a blessing to have good communication with your doctor.  I don't.  I had an unexpected problem show up in one of my laboratory tests, that the doctor did not even mention at my annual examination visit last Monday.  When I got home and reviews my lab report, I called her, but she did not call me back.  This could be a serious complication.  This doctor shows absolutely no interest in my life or anything about me medically.  We have no conversation.  I will be looking for a new PCP.

Iris L.

Iris - This doctor I see reminds me of my daughter. I know I am lucky to have found her and hope she keeps her clinic open longer than most people do up here.

How will you choose a new one? Is this change on your lab report something you feel is urgent? 

I worked with older osteopaths and so far have had good luck finding one where ever I end up.

Much love

Well, I spoke too soon.  The doctor called me this evening, ~5 pm.  This medical group is large, with many offices around town and several PCPs in each office.  I had worked with a geriatrician from one of the offices, but that doctor abruptly left the practice after my first visit.  I would like to find a geriatrician.  Most of their PCPs are family doctors.

Iris L.

An osteopath is trained in observing what brings peace to the person before them, what makes that person feel cared for - and that is to me true healing. To find someone who understand my needs and laughs with me and lets me cry when I need to.

You are that kind of person with an understanding of science. Love you man.

I remember in my father's years of medical care two doctors who were compassionate. The one would always begin his rounds by asking, "How are you doing today, my friend."

Outside of parents perhaps, it is very difficult for one to teach kindness.  And the more focused and stressed a person is the less likely that person is to be kind.  The other problem is to be open-minded--not to label something as psuedoscience or dismiss positive results just because "modern" medicine has taught you otherwise.

I wish that I had read Gwen's posts.  I would have enjoyed them.  

Thank you alz+ for the high compliment.  Iris I hope that you finally find the doctor that you deserve.

One of the doctors at my medical school told us the secret to good rapport with patients is to think of the patient as a family member.  I came from a large extended family, with many cousins.  So when I had my own pediatric patients, I thought of them as the children of my cousins.  People always remarked about how nice I was to my patients.  I had to be--they were like my little cousins!

Iris L.