Even though it was cold, windy and snowing, we had 220 kids come to our door between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Halloween. The seven foot skeleton, 6 foot air filled pumpkin, the witches and ghosts howling in the trees and the appropriate Halloween sounds emanating from the CD player in the garage created just the right ambiance. The red flood lights combined with the lights from the standing pumpkins and skeletons cast the perfect eerie glow. My grandson, dressed as a ghoul, walked menacingly through the little cemetery and between the trees adding an atmosphere of suspense. My husband and I were relegated to answering the door dressed as a witch and spooky old man. We had a wonderful time entertaining the trick or theaters that came to the door.

My appointment with No Name was on November 4th. I got a copy of my September 18th lab results; namely BUN, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and they appeared to be normal. No Name told me not to be concerned with the medication he prescribed for me. I asked him if it might be possible to find out why I am experiencing these weird headaches, severe bone pain, dizziness and disorientation. His answer was a shrug of his shoulders. Some time ago, the Gypsy (our “jack of all trades” in house specialist) told No Name that a solution to my medical problems was unlikely. She recommended that No Name should treat my symptoms and not bother with further testing. I guess he has taken her advice to heart.

After an appointment with No Name, I wonder why I bothered to make the effort to see him. People are probably wondering why I don’t get off my butt and find a new doctor. Oh if it only where that easy. The only place left to try and find a new doctor is in the city which is 50 miles away. At this point in my struggle I am much too tired and sick to commit myself to a 100 mile round trip every time I need to see a doctor. I do not have the energy to leaf through the city yellow pages in the hopes of finding a physician with listening skills. What to do next? When I let myself think about my medical problems for any length of time, I feel like I am in a deep dark tunnel with no exit. The thought of what the state of my health will be like in 6 months time or 12 months time is overwhelming. I have found it is best not to let my thoughts drift in that direction.

For the record, I think it is an outrage that our medical professionals care so little about the health and well being of so many patients. It is unforgivable that they are too lazy and self absorbed to put in the time and effort required to diagnosis anything more complex than the common cold.