Posted by Bob on October 22, 1999, at 13:24:59
In reply to Re: SAW NEUROLOGIST TODAY>>BIG JOKE, posted by AMY II on October 22, 1999, at 12:53:32
I don't think it's a big joke, Amy. I'd sure feel disappointed if I was in your position, I'll admit -- you want and you deserve some immediate action. But from what you've said about your interaction with him, I think that you should have some hope for this. A lot of doctors get defensive about patient self-help groups, and the internet is only exacerbating the fears of doctors like these. He might not have shown it, but I think his reaction does say that he's taking (and us) more seriously. Before your visit, he didn't know you and he certainly doesn't know us, but you said he thinks there's more going on than anxiety -- who of your doctors has given you that much credit? I think he's being appropriately cautious right now, even though you want some relief this instant and his caution can be maddening.
When my father had his first stroke, he had a hemorrhage in an area of his brain that controls emotions. He became extremely paranoid about his health after that -- he'd want to go to the doctor every other day, convinced he was going to die, very despondent about it all. I kept telling him that this was all faulty information the injured part of his brain was giving him, I even tried to get him to see a therapist (HAH! as if) to help him through it. But without any sort of intervention, it just sort of faded and his normal demeanor returned. His second stroke was, in many ways, even more devastating. He had been a teacher and reading meant a lot to him. His second stroke erased his ability to read. While it was tough for me to see him like this as his son, as a psychologist of learning it was really fascinating. We have four basic language skills -- speaking and writing, listening and thinking. He could do three of the four. He still had his elementary teacher's perfect penmanship, but give him ten minutes to forget what he had written and he wouldn't be able to read his own writing! But he had an occupational therapist work with him, starting with the simplest things, and in six months he was reading technical journal articles. Like your neurologist said, the brain is incredibly plastic, even for someone as old as my dad (mid-60s) at the time of his strokes. Parts of his brain basically died -- the bloodflow was cut off to them -- but his brain rewired itself and he regained his prior level of functioning.
But it took some time and an incredible reserve of patience and strength. For the last six months, you've demonstrated that you have those qualities, too. Give him a fair shot -- it sounds like he believes you, but he doesn't want to rush things before getting to know your condition better. And not rushing things when it comes to fixing your brain sounds like a wise decision right now.
Hang in there
Bob
poster:Bob
thread:13368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991016/msgs/13657.html