by Coleen Hensey
Witnessing the media comments on both doctors and the healthcare system in Australia, I feel to share a recent personal experience of Western medicine in action, which was nothing short of exceptional.
I had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago but had felt that my body was becoming devitalised in spite of the medication, a synthetic type of thyroxine prescribed routinely for this condition in Australia. I was losing weight rapidly, had dark circles under my eyes, my blood pressure and sleep cycle were very erratic and I was, by turns, racy or had little energy to do anything, including activities I absolutely love. My body was clearly indicating something was awry, so I decided to look more deeply into what was happening with my health.
This proved to be a great decision on many, many levels.
I referred myself to a local endocrine specialist to discuss and address the possible causes for the change in my health. The doctor I met with listened attentively and respectfully to what I shared about my symptoms and treatment to date, asking clarifying questions and making notes throughout. In itself, this respect for me as a patient who knew my body, was very confirming. His avowed philosophy was that the patient is the one who holds the keys to both the aetiology of their illness and to their healing. I had a clear sense that this doctor knew how to exercise true patient care. Continue reading “Appreciating a western medicine practitioner and more…”