We live in a world where medical imaging technology and pathology tests can increasingly unravel the mysteries of disease and injury. They are the tools that help doctors diagnose and treat, and they are based on reliable science.
But what if the diagnosis remains elusive? Is it OK to accept we don’t always understand what just happened or why, particularly once the emergency or symptoms have passed?
Recently I have been faced with that dilemma, after weeks of undergoing an assortment of diagnostics – a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, barium swallow and twice-weekly bloods – all because of some very high enzymes found (by chance) in a blood test.
After much discussion with multiple doctors once the imaging gave the all-clear and the enzymes started to head south, the consensus was that no one really knew what happened or why.
We could have done more tests. But I felt 100% fine, and most of the opinion was that this probably mattered more than the high enzyme results.
It is true what one doctor told me – it’s not very satisfying to not find the answer, but we agreed that was far more preferable than finding an answer that was not good news.
If you will indulge me one more observation from my recent medical fora, I was reminded how lucky we are to have a (mostly) excellent public hospital system.
It is true what one doctor told me – it’s not very satisfying to not find the answer, but we agreed that was far more preferable than finding an answer that was not good news.
At Fiona Stanley Hospital I watched the care and respect that doctors, nurses, patient assistants and volunteers gave people
who were very unwell, disorientated, cranky, emotional, or all
of the above.
We are right to be alarmed by stories we hear of people who slip through the cracks, but many more get the care they need – and they don’t make the headlines.