YOU-The Doctor!

Mary is 42 years old, married, with four children. Mary's husband, Jack, is an avid golf player. Mary has bouts of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and back pain. In the last six years Mary has seen 32 doctors. Eleven of those doctors were doctors of internal medicine. Thirteen of those doctors were gastroenterologists, and eight of those doctors were OB/GYN's. Out of 32 doctors, eight surmised that Mary was pregnant. A pregnancy test was performed eight out of eight times, even though Mary knew, and insisted, that she was not pregnant. Eight out of eight times, Mary learned that she was not pregnant. She did not learn, however, what was causing her abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and back pain. Out of 32 doctors, 24 suggested that she see a psychologist. Each of those same 24 doctors wrote Mary a prescription for an antidepressant. Mary told each doctor, "I am not depressed. I am sick." To which 21 of the doctors replied equal versions of, "Of course you're not depressed. But antidepressants also counteract pain." (Real or imagined.)

In the course of six years, Mary has had 4 endoscopy procedures, countless x-rays and CT scans, 12 small bowel series, and 3 colonoscopies. Mary has visited the emergency room 16 times due to excruciating abdominal pain. Each time Mary has pain, vomiting, or ER visits, Mary's husband and children have to make their own meals, wash their own clothes, feed the dog, run the errands, and clean up their own messes. Mary's husband, though normally a patient man, is doubting that Mary is really sick. He has missed his last three golf tournaments due to Mary's "pain." (Real or imagined)

Mary's medical history reflects an appendectomy at age 35. Mary was fine prior to the appendectomy. Mary believes the appendectomy may have been the ground breaking event that has lead to her new pain and problems. Ten doctors have said, "That's a ridiculous theory." Eleven doctors have said, "Hmmmmmmm." Five doctors have said,"The appendix was removed, so that can't be the problem." Five doctors have said, "Mmmmmmmm?" (Equal to hmmmm, but said with raised, questioning brows, as in "you may be on to something.") One doctor said, "Why hasn't Jack been to the golf tournaments?"

You are the 33rd doctor.

Is Mary

A. Pregnant? And expecting a fifth child.
B. Depressed? And just doesn't know it.
C. Likes attention, therefore she "acts out" with crying and vomiting.
D. Wants her husband to stop playing golf.
E. Actually has an illness that doctors refuse to acknowledge.
F. Is a female who is always complaining.
G. All of the above.

Comments

i loved this!Thanks.

[Cara Fletcher]

All symptoms of Mary-the back pain,the vomiting the abdominal pain seem very confusing and it must havev been very difficult for the doctors to diagnose what's wrong with her.Hope she'll find a cure for her pain soon.