My Body, My Responsibility

* New posts will only be at WordsInHighDef.com as of June 1.

"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon." ~Doug Larson

Physicians and other health care professionals are a necessary and tremendously valuable resource. The average Jane isn't educated to distinguish pink eye from allergies or skin cancer from a hairy mole. We need those people. However, we also need to be our own advocates and do a bit of research about worrisome conditions. Those attending to our care are not infallible or omniscient. They are limited to treat and diagnose based upon A. The info we give them, B. What they observe and C. Their personal experience and training.

My mother-in-law had skin cancer removed from the back of her leg many years ago. There was a graft successfully in place for a long time but in the past couple years it's been opening up. She had a surgical repair a year ago but it never quite healed, despite expert wound care. The plastic surgeon told her they needed to repeat the surgery. When my MIL asked about the value of hyperbaric chamber treatments he was very dismissive but said she could give it a try if she wanted to. She researched, scheduled and underwent a series of treatments. Everyone agreed that it might expedite healing in the upcoming procedure. The day of surgery came and when the doc saw her (before the IV was in place!), he announced that the wound was completely healed and there was no need for surgery. He was surprised and pleased, admitting doctors don't always know best.

My husband had intensely sharp pains in his leg and after a couple days went to a physical therapist. He was evaluated and sent on to an MD. The doctor examined his leg, poking and prodding. He asked good questions to rule out serious conditions and decided that a round of prednisone would be the best place to start. He wanted to decrease inflammation then recheck. None too excited about this medication, my husband stopped by a chiropractor's office. He was given an evaluation and treatment. The pain has not returned and steroids were not involved in his recovery.

I had numbness in my leg and after trying a few things the doc sent me to physical therapy but also wanted me to undergo a painful nerve study. The therapist respectfully disagreed, asking me to give his treatment time before taking that next step. It's been weeks but the numbness is slowly receding and I'm getting correction for a back problem I had just learned to live with.

When my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer, she researched every option and settled on a plan that incorporated traditional and natural treatments, not blindly following the advice of one person but insisting they work together for the best of both worlds. She remains cancer-free.

These are just a few personal examples of why we shouldn't simply follow orders like sheep. While I know that researching conditions on the internet can "give us just enough info to make us dangerous" I also know that I'd rather know the right questions to ask. When painful, expensive or risky treatment is prescribed, a second opinion is always wise. This is your body. You own it and God expects good stewardship. Qualified health care professionals appreciate it too.

Has there been a time you've not followed a doctor's advice? (This isn't doctor bashing time, this is self-responsibility and awareness stories...love ya docs!) Comment at WordsInHighDef.com
Diane Markins

Not (Quite) a Hero

"Hero" is a word that's over-used. Anyone who helps someone else seems to own that title these days. I disagree with such a broad use of the word. The dictionary definition of hero is, "A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially at the risk of personal safety." I think most people would agree that those serving in the military, law enforcement or fire fighters unquestionably fall into this category. The lady who tutors a kid free of charge or the teenager who baby sits without pay for a single mom are generous but not heroes.

While there are a good number of heroes out there, not all of us are called to or capable of risking life and limb to save another. What every one of us is called to and capable of doing is being a responsible citizen. These seem to be in short supply. Personal responsibility is a disappearing trait as more and more people expect their living expenses, education and health care bills to be covered by the government. Even in school, children are allowed to make extensive excuses as to their lack of assignment completions. If a crime is witnessed, people often don't want to "get involved."

Given this pervasive attitude of apathy and entitlement I was moved to write about a young man who simply acted as a good citizen. He didn't risk bodily injury or directly perform a life-saving act, so I'll not call him a hero.

He is my 24-year-old neighbor, Daniel. On June 5^th while in Alaska I got a phone call from him. "Is Brad (my husband) around?" he asked. I told him where we both were and he explained that he'd noticed a suspicious stranger lingering around our yard and talking on a cell phone. The man was paying close attention to my husband's truck. I confirmed that he wasn't anyone we knew and Daniel walked over to investigate then called police and tracked the man and his partner casing another truck in the neighborhood. Crime prevented!

Later that same day Daniel, who is a radio runner for tech services at the Phoenix Fire Department, heard an Amber Alert on his radio. He began to investigate and based on a bit of deductive reasoning located the suspected kidnapper and called police. She was later apprehended, baby unharmed.

I still won't call him a hero. He went out of his way, inconvenienced himself and sacrificed some time but he didn't risk his life. Still, most people wouldn't have gone to the trouble to do as much as he did.

Daniel is hoping to become a firefighter. Extinguishing a blaze, rescuing a victim or performing CPR are all difficult tasks, but they can be taught. Integrity, responsibility and character are core values. Good citizenship, a strong sense of responsibility; these are stepping stones to "hero"...you can't earn that title without possessing the first two along the way.

I hope the fire departments are paying attention and recruit Daniel. I'm sure they can teach him every skill he needs to know. He's already got the core values to be the kind of hero they're looking for.

Most of us could use a little polish on our efforts toward citizenship. Have you gone out of your way lately to prevent a crime, picked up an obstacle in the road or called for assistance for a stranded motorist as you passed by? Share and tell why or why not and any missed opportunities.

*Happy Father's Day! Don't forget to tell your dad how much he means to you. Is/was your dad a hero in your mind?

**See this piece in newspaper column.