ESSAY - A Medical Education

[Guest guest]

The Lancet

16 February 2002

Dr. Pisetsky

" A medical education "

For the past 3 years, I have had a medical education as valuable as it

has been unwanted. During this time, I have watched my wife struggle

with osteoarthritis and have learned many things. I have discovered

that, though a doctor, I knew nothing about this disease before my wife

had it. Even though I have been a rheumatologist for 20 years, I had no

idea how painful and devastating it could be. My wife once ran a

marathon. A stroll down the block now makes her ache for a week.

I have learned about the limitations of medical therapy too. The

so-called super aspirins were a dud for my wife. A combination of

diclofenac and the much maligned glucosamine have held the pain in

check, but even their paltry benefits are waning as my wife approaches

the time of surgery.

Since my wife's arthritis began, I have also learned about the

importance of gifts. Many people have given my wife things to make her

feel better. One of my wife's friends, for example, planted a flower

garden for her. My wife's sister sent a jar of ginger. The carpenter who

was redoing our porch gave my wife a small piece of lined yellow paper

on which he wrote " Panalgesic " , an over-the-counter preparation he swore

would do the trick. For my own part, I shower my wife with gifts. I

cook. I send her flowers. Still, whenever I go to clinic, I take a

sample pack of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or muscle relaxer

for my wife. I am convinced that, if she keeps trying the samples, we

will eventually find a miracle cure so we can avoid surgery.

Finally, I have learned about the value of time. Since the arthritis

began, we have lived day to day. I feel like I did when I first went out

with my wife. I was 22 years old and crazy about her. Every moment I

could spend with her was so important to me then. After 30 years

together, every moment is still so special, and is now even more

precious. Because of my wife's arthritis, we have exchanged a treadmill

in life for a roller coaster. I hate roller coasters, but they do have a

way of waking you up to the world.

The other night I watched my wife limp into our bedroom and crawl in bed

beside me. " Do you want me to rub your hip? " I asked. " Sure " , she said

as she rolled awkwardly on her side. My bedside lamp was on, casting a

grey-yellow circle of light. As I rubbed my wife's hip, I looked at our

wedding picture on the dresser. I realised how fleeting and precarious

our time together now seemed. I could not contain my feelings, " I'm

sad " , I said. My wife reached back and squeezed my hand. " Don't worry.

We'll be fine. I'll have surgery " , she answered calmly. " Oh " , I said

quietly. My wife laughed ironically. " It's funny " , she said. " I don't

feel old either " . I turned off the bedside lamp. As I rubbed my wife's

hip, she grew quiet and started to breathe slowly. Arthritis had

exhausted her and she lapsed easily into sleep.

I gathered her in my arms and kissed her neck. Arthritis had also

exhausted me. I hovered near sleep, filled with peace. For the moment,

the roller coaster ceased its furious ride and floated silently in black

space. With my body next to hers, I knew that my wife was right. We will

be fine. We are young. We are together. As I have learned recently, with

illness, there is beauty and blessing from life's simple gifts.

http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol359/iss9306/full/llan.359.9306.dissecting_ro\

om.19968.1

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

Absolutely inspiring. Thank you for this.

[ ] ESSAY - " A Medical Education "

>

> The Lancet

> 16 February 2002

..

>

>

http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol359/iss9306/full/llan.359.9306.dissecting_ro\

om.19968.1

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Absolutely inspiring. Thank you for this.

[ ] ESSAY - " A Medical Education "

>

> The Lancet

> 16 February 2002

..

>

>

http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol359/iss9306/full/llan.359.9306.dissecting_ro\

om.19968.1

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>

>