Take time to listen

I suppose that todays post is a lesson on listening. And yes, I learned another lesson from another patient. You see, my patient is 93 years old. She has such beautiful twinkling eyes. She is not as frail as you would expect a 93 year old but still seemed a bit depressed all the same. Her daughter came with her. But what I noticed is that the daughter did not listen. She dismissed what her mom had to say about the pain in her back and hips with the excuse...mom...its old age...you are 93. You don't need to see the Doctor about this.

My, what a statement to say to the woman that raised you. Well, I decided to listen. She explained how she feels as though her back is always in a strain and that by the time it is time to go to bed at night she is in so much tension that she cannot sleep.

I watched how my patient got on the table and realized that the only problem she really had was how she moved her body. As soon as she finally got still I put a block under her legs....her knees were bent, her legs at a 90 angle to her body. She looked at me and with a gleem in her eye stated that this was the most comfortable she has been in 40 years. Her daughter whipped her head around in disbelief. I explained ergonomics to both. I explained how to lay down properly and how to get up properly.

You know, after listening to the history of this woman and how she had been to many Doctors to find out what was wrong with her I realized that all anyone really needed to do was just listen to this patient. All she needed was to learn good body mechanics so that the muscles in her back could relax....we accomplished this in half an hour. Had anyone really listened to her 40 years ago...can you imagine what a life changing experience she would have had? This patient thanked me....gave me a hug...told me how much she appreciated that I just listened to her.

So the lesson here is simply learn to listen. When you learn to listen you can actually hear what someone is trying to say to you. You may even be surprised that when you learn to listen....others will learn to hear you.

I expect my patient to have a brilliant life from this point on. She is active, her bones are strong and she now has learned a tool that will keep her in a relaxed state. We should all think long and hard about learning to listen.

LIFE LONG LOVE

I called back my next patient. I was in a bit of a hurry. We were so incredibly busy. I did have a smile on my face, but it wasn't my genuine heart felt smile. I could feel a slight anxiety as I waited for someone to stand up when I called the name. It took what felt like an eternity, but there she was. She looked so warn out. Very frail. Very thin. By her side was a man. Probably of the same age...80ish. He too, frail, not as warn out looking but tired. He stood up first. He smiled at me....and then the most amazing thing happened.....He looked at her and said....okay...lets go you beautiful woman. She looked at him and smiled and it was as if his words put life back into her. She struggled but you could see the will and the desire to just get up and move. She did...my anxiety of time went away. It did take her some time to get to my xray room. He, steadfast by her side. And better yet...the two of them...chatting so very sweetly to each other. When we finally got into my room the man asked...can I stay with my wife.....How could I ever say no. As I xrayed her they told me their story. They met at a very young age. They've loved each other since. 63 years of loving one another. My heart was so filled. Two lovely people still madly deeply in love with each other.

I asked what the secret was. Both just looked at me with such a grin and then looked at each other....he said to me as he looked in her eyes..... JUST LEARN TO LOVE.........

So my message to you my friends.....Is just that......

Learn to love....

It starts with you and ends with you......