I breathe like...
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
April 26, 2007 4:47pm CST
According to the doctor, based on my test results for my pulmonary function tests, I breathe like a 50-year-old person who had been smoking multiple cartons of cigarettes per day since they were ten. Why she chose to use this description, I have no idea.
The funny thing is that when the doctor says things like "If we don't find a new treatment for you I doubt you'll live to be forty" I breathe a sigh of relief. After all, I've been hearing "two or three years maybe" for my life expectancy my whole life. So til I'm forty sounds awfully good...
Except if I were forty, my son would only be 14 or so... eep! Time to rethink. Anyway, I won't be going to a specialist in another city right away like the doctor wants because of financial/transportation issues, but the doctor is "brainstorming" possible treatment options that could be done in the area.
So, what kind of interesting phrases have doctors used with you to explain test results instead of just giving you the numbers? Do you appreciate this simplification or does it make you feel the doctor thinks you're dumb?
5 people like this
2 responses
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I feel for you with this. That's a discriptive image although I don't know anyone who smokes cartons a day. Either way though that doesn't sound good. I hope you are doing all they say to make you better?
I had a doctor tell me when a report came back from X-ray on my back that she would expect to see that report on an 80 year old woman. Considering I was 35 at the time is a scary image when you think of it. It's amazing the ways they can make their points isn't it? I don't mind it when they describe it that way because to be honest I think it brings it home far better then hearing "Well you have (insert disease/condition here)". It makes it more understandable I think for most.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
28 Apr 07
I really did mean a carton a day! It's a bit of an exaggeration to say that I guess, but he did smoke at least 4 cartons or so a week, because I remember him buying that many, just for him. He was one of those people that still smoked after he had emphysema and was on oxygen and all that.
Not having insurance is really hard, I've been there before. I have insurance now, but there are a few things it doesn't always cover completely, so sometimes interesting billing strategies have to be applied. I also used a health care spending account so I can pay pre-tax for some things that my insurance doesn't cover. Good luck with your applications and everything!
Um, yeah that particular explanation does sound like bull! I can't believe a doctor would tell you that!
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
29 Apr 07
OMG 4 cartons a week? I cannot imagine smoking that much. The worst I ever got was 2 cartons and that was a lot for me. That would be 4 packs a day at 4 cartons a week (approx). That is beyond my thinking.
Thanks for the good wishes. You too. Sounds like we both need it. I didn't buy that guys description either especially after he put me on such limitations. If each football player had to be put on that and physical therapy for months at a time we wouldn't have much of a sport :)
2 people like this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
28 Apr 07
I have a lot of neck issues and it never fails, everytime I get a new x-ray done the doctor involved always says something like, "From looking at your x-rays if I didn't know better I would think I was looking at a 90 year old who was involved in a car accident." I get a good chuckle pretty much everytime.
You brought up an issue that really bothers me with most Doctors I have run across. They tend to treat me like I am stupid when often times I have studied more on my condition then they have before walking in to see them. I get a nice laugh everytime my doctor uses a big word, then changes it to something he thinks I can understand. I use fire back with a huge sentance full of the biggest and most esoteric words I can usually think of, then I'll rephrase it for him. The arrogance of doctors really irratates me. Okay so well granted they spent a good 14 years preparing, but they are not all knowing, even in their chosen field. They don't have all the answers, and I'm sorry but they don't know my body better than I do. End of rant, sorry.
2 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
28 Apr 07
Wow, that does sound pretty bad, filmbuff! It is funny when you know exactly what the doctor is going to say, that happens to me too!
I totally agree with you on how annoying it is to have doctors treat you like you are stupid. I'd far rather have them give me the information straight, and dumb it down only if I ask for a simpler explanation!
That does sound like a good way of dealing with them! I'll have to try that one!
3 people like this
