Friday, July 2, 2010

A Modern Day Samaritan

As in the previous post I mentioned that Craig my super, tough, husband had been suffering mightily over the past six weeks! One time I actually took him to the Emergency Room! He had been to the clinic a couple of times with his aliments. They ran some blood work to see if they could pin point the Auto Immune disease that he had. When the test results came back they pointed strongly in the direction of Lupus. He has been so sick and every time he'd get a new boil on his chin he'd end up with a new, and bigger battle with Lupus. Every time you have an episode your internal organs are at risk. That is what Lupus does, it doesn't recognize that your organs are good, so they are under attack and can be destroyed. So YES I was panicked!!!!!!!! We talked to our Family Doctor, a man who goes to our church. He said that he'd call and try to get Craig into a Rheumatologist, by the name of Dr. Steven Call. Well, Craig was so sick, not sleeping, eating (he lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks!), suffering with swollen hands, and feet, along with extreme muscle and joint pain, along with MRSA! He was so miserable that he ended up calling Dr. Calls office. They told him they'd move his file to the front, and try and get him in. When he came home early from work (yes he went to work!!!!) I called the office again, and talked with Bonnie. I said, "sorry but I'm going to cry", and through tears I told her what was going on with Craig. She told me that he had an appointment on the 12th of July. I begged for something sooner. Bonnie told me that if I called my family doctor, who will remain un-named that they could possibly get him in sooner! I called and asked him to call me back. His nurse called Craig and asked if there was a problem. He explained to her what was going on. She said she'd talk to the doctor and get back with him. The very next day we got a call from Bonnie at Dr. Call's office, she said that Craig could come in at 4:00 that very day, we were elated! So thankful for a doctor who cared. The next day we got to Dr. Calls office, while there Craig got a call from the family doctors receptionist, and was told that the doctor had reviewed the appointment date, and had decided that the 12th was the soonest that Craig would be able to get in! I bet she was surprised to hear that Craig was already in Dr. Calls office! Dr. Call spent an hour with Craig they took more tests and he is to go back in on the 15th to see if it is really Lupus, or something else.

While I am so surprised at the complete apathy that was shown to Craig by our family doctor. I am so thankful for Bonnie and the care and concern she had for me, a complete stranger in need! I can never in a million years let her know how thankful I am for her, and others like her, who really are modern Good Samaritans!

2 comments:

C and T & Co. said...

I just saw these posts about Craig Susan. I am so sorry he is going through this! It is miserable to be loyal to someone (family doctor) and then have them treat you worse than a stranger. I'm glad that he was able to get into the doctor. Hope he finds some relief soon! Love, T&C and Family

Susan said...

Thanks Carlie it has been really hard to watch Craig suffer and not having any way to help him. He is doing better now. Just keep him in your prayers.