one more thought re RAI and kids...a bit OT though

August 13, 2003

What happened to Terry's friend is even more tragic given that, I've

read, people put under hypnosis can recall every detail of what went

on while they were under general anesthesia.

In the early 1970s I was married to a doctor in training and saw a

huge amount of paternalism, based around the belief that we can't

heal ourselves, the doctor must do it, and so he must be superior or

how else can he practice his magic? I also saw lots of stressed out

young guys (and a few women) deluged with info and trying to deal

with it all.

At 18 I had an outpatient procedure and then went out of town, only

to begin heavy vaginal bleeding. On my call the doctor's office

reported it was normal but he hadn't mentioned it as he " didn't want

to worry me. " In addition, I later regreted having had a procedure

that impaired my fertility, something that I imagine young RAI

patients might feel as well.

At least groups like this provide an opportunity for us to educate

each other and slow the use of these practices.

B.

August 13, 2003

Terry,

This is not at all OT. Thank you for sharing this story, as sad as it is.

It rings so true, not weird. And what an unfortunate loss.

It is too bad we must be so ever vigilant when it comes to our medical

care. I say too bad, because it is not easy for us to know things that are

complex and take time to learn (not to mention the limited access to good

info, coupled with the confusion caused by inaccuracies or " agendas " ), and

sometimes we are not fortunate enough to have the time to do the research.

But we need to do the best we can. After all, we look out for ourselves in

other areas, and so the same rules apply to health care: if you are a

passive passenger, you can be taken for a ride.

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