You may not believe in the Law of Attraction. I do, so what I read in the paper this morning really upset me.
A woman had written to describe two conditions she had that her doctor didn’t seem to care about. I now know that many doctors simply brush off patients, especially women, with comments about getting old or imagining things. But this woman had two very mild diagnosed conditions.
One was diverticulosis, which the doctor says is common with advancing age. When there are no symptoms of distress, no treatment is necessary, but prevention of symptoms requires a diet rich in fiber. This lady had no symptoms.
The other was spinal stenosis, or a narrowing in one or more areas of the spine. Severe cases require surgery, but this lady’s condition has not worsened in the last 8 years.
His questions to the newspaper’s doctor were: “Should I go see a specialist in case I get worse?” and “What condition should I be most concerned about?”
The doctor gave him a long explanation of each condition and assured him that he did not need a specialist. His recommendations were a high-fiber diet and a moderate exercise program. He also recommended enjoying life and No worrying.
As I read, I silently applauded the woman’s doctor for not reaching for a prescription pad just to reassure the lady and make her feel like she was getting care. We read all the time about doctors doing just that, sometimes with disastrous and even fatal results.
What bothered me was this woman’s desire to be a “doctor” when she had no symptoms indicating a need. She is 80 years old. Does it reflect the fact that friends and family have fallen victim to disease and she is afraid to follow her example? Or does she indicate that she is lonely, so she wants the attention she would receive from doctors and nurses?
Perhaps instead of pills, what doctors should prescribe for people like her is social activity. Some programs provide visiting nurses for people who need help with bathing and preparing meals. Maybe there should be a program that provides care in the form of someone coming over for lunch, or playing a card game, or just sitting down and visiting. Perhaps a weekly foot massage or manicure would provide the care and attention that makes people seek a doctor even when they are not sick.
According to the law of attraction, aligning your energies with illness will bring illness to you. I think it’s scary, and I cringe every time I hear someone talk about their illness, or possible illness.
I would love to see people like this lady align their energies with the enjoyment of health and rejoice in the fact that they have no symptoms. Perhaps that recipe should be suitable for a weekly visit from someone who exudes energy and good health, and refuses to talk about illness.
It is something to think about.