DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have spent about 50 years in education, most of them in high education as a college professor, college president and university chancellor. That, of course, doesn’t make me an expert in medical doctors’ behavior even though I do have a doctorate. However, what allows me to gain insight into the way doctors approach patients, is my long battle with life-threatening afflictions. I have had two heart attacks, cancer operation, and two by-pass surgeries — the last one a bit over a year ago.
What prompted me to write this note to you is the letter you received from another doctor challenging your right to put on paper advice as to what you felt could be done with a patient who needed an abdominal aortic aneurysm repaired. There are some points in the letter of this MD that are very disturbing.
One: The general manner that the letter is impolite, unworthy of a professional person. By the way it is worded, one gets the impression that this fellow has a superiority complex and/or he is envious that he/she is not writing your column.
Two: I have been reading your column for years now, and I have never read anything that would indicate a radical action by your readers about their health without consultation with a doctor of their choice. You simply give options.
Three: This MD seems to think that we, the common folk, have no intelligent sophistication in examining the options that you bring forward. He seems to believe that we cannot evaluate the dangers that are present in serious operations.
Four: There seems to be a hue of age discrimination in his remarks. Just because we are old — I am 80 — does not mean that we should not be able to avail ourselves to the modern methods of medicine and, furthermore, as I noted already, that we should not be allowed to have a part in the decision on a very risky operation.
A personal experience: I was hospitalized with heart problems when I was 79. It was a very fine cardiac hospital with excellent physicians. The cardiologists recommended by-pass surgery. My third day there, the leading heart surgeon walked into my room and with a brutal manner he told me, “About 99% of patients who had by-pass in 1980, when you had your first one, are dead. Because of your age and the special difficulty your case presents we will not operate.” I felt terrible and was angry. After all, I should have had a say in that decision. I asked a cardiologist to refer me to the Cleveland Clinic and forward all my records there. The clinic agreed to examine me and evaluate my condition. My wife and I journeyed there.
Following a few days of examinations, my wife and I were asked to a conference with the chief cardiologist. He asked me, “Do you want this operation because you want to live longer or because you desire to improve the quality of your life?” My answer was to improve my life’s quality. He then told me that they had serious concerns, yet he would recommend an operation if I still wanted it. I said yes. And the surgery was successful.
This is a long dissertation but this MD truly struck the wrong cord in me.
DEAR READER:
I agree with your observations about that particular letter. I am unsure if he or she was an MD, but can only hope that was not the case. This person should not be allowed to care for others with the attitude displayed.
As to your experience with the head cardiologist at the hospital, I am appalled at his behavior. You had the right to a potentially life saving operation and if he were uncomfortable with it, he did not need to do it, but he could have said as much and referred you to someone else who was willing.
I applaud your level-headedness in asking for and receiving a referral to another cardiologist. I am glad that the Cleveland Clinic was open enough to involve you in the decision about your life and risk you were willing to take. The physician there appears to be kind, compassionate and, given you are alive and well, very skilled.
Thank you for writing and expressing your well-thought out, considerate comments. I always enjoy receiving letters such as yours. Keep up the good work.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott