A Spoonful of Sugar

My step dad has been in the hospital this week with a blood infection. Mother says he is getting better now and should be released to go home tomorrow. His status this morning was not so pleasant. There had been virtually no change and the doctor he was assigned to was planning to call a specialist.

To me, this is typical of the western medical method...take an ER admitted patient, toss them in a tiny room with basic cable (upper channels for an added fee), plug in an IV or two and feed them a regimen of painkillers, antibiotics, jello and turkey sandwiches until they finally realize things aren't getting any better so they call in a specialist and/or a surgeon. Very little attention or thought is given to the patient, only their ailment - as if they have no connection to one another.

I must say that at one time I had no problem with this. I worked for a few years as an emergency vet tech when animal ultrasound was beginning to be more commonly available. I thought it was a waste. Why spend all that time and a client's money when you'll probably just end up cutting them open anyway? That's what I thought about it then, until I was in a car accident and couldn't get off the couch for a month. I was completely obsessed with discovery health and all the quirky medical shows.

As my leg healed and I saw lots of ancient medical techniques from around the world I was amazed at the ability of the body to completely heal itself if given the opportunity. My leg had been smashed and there was necrotic (dead) tissue that needed to come off. I was advised to have a plastic surgeon do a skin graft. I was only 19 and though it was best to trust the doctors, I mean they are professionals. I have regretted it ever since. I lost a big chunk of the muscles on the front of my right leg and can't really stand for an extended period of time anymore. If I could do it all over again I would elect to have maggot therapy.