When seeking professional care, it would be wise to think carefully regarding any procedure that could possibly go south if not performed properly or carefully. I mention this as information and warning for anyone offered treatment for anything which they are not comfortable having completed to be cautious in their action. It would then be extremely wise for them to get a second opinion from another qualified practitioner to verify or exclude the need for the treatment or procedure. The scenario below is an example of a situation that can occur.

An individual visited a professional practitioner for a scheduled appointment planning to change the procedure on arrival, rather than cancelling it all together. Upon arrival he made it known about feeling uncomfortable with the suggested treatment and requested that it not be completed; instead asking that other needs be addressed. The request was denied and the practitioner insisted that following through with the planned procedure was necessary lest it cause serious issues. Under undue insistence and pressure, this patient acquiesced and deferred to the professional advice and allowed the treatment to proceed. That turned out to be the sorriest decision of his life.

As it turns out this erroneous decision almost cost him his life. He had developed a very serious, life-threatening situation requiring a late-night trip to an Emergency Room, mistaken in thinking that he would be treated with a steroid and antibiotic and released; but this ER visit actually turned into a helicopter ride to a larger hospital with admission to ICU and emergency surgery, which had it not been done, would have most likely caused an early demise.

Since the initial treatment was not a life-or-death situation, and there had been no pain or debilitation, a more forceful refusal should have been made instead of being placed in an alarmingly dangerous situation.

Be wise to survive!

“There is only one cardinal rule: One must always listen to the patient.” ~ Neurosurgeon and author Dr. Oliver Sacks

MEL BENJAMIN

Watsontown

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom