What stood out to me about this story is that the parents already knew for a long time that their son was “in there” and had the ability to communicate. Doctors didn’t believe them until they used their tests and equipment (that had failed them before) to figure it out. All their previous testing hadn’t revealed this, so they believed their testing over simple evidence that the parents were able to figure out long before.
Way too many doctors (thankfully not all!) have such a god complex, and a view of any non-medical people as being ignorant about anything to do with health and physical well-being. And yet they miss so many things that the supposedly ignorant non-medical people know all along. It frustrates me to no end!
does sound a lot like Terri Schiavo’s parents, doesn’t it?
Terri seemed to have much more awareness than this patient
Lucky for this guy he doesn’t have a spouse who finds his life inconvenient
“Way too many doctors (thankfully not all!) have such a god complex, and a view of any non-medical people as being ignorant about anything to do with health and physical well-being. And yet they miss so many things that the supposedly ignorant non-medical people know all along. It frustrates me to no end!”
About a year and a half ago, my daughter became pregnant. She felt like something was wrong. I didn’t want to distress her, so I said nothing to her; but I did tell my mom, husband and best friend that I agreed with her. There was something ‘off’ about the whole pregnancy.
She went to two different doctors for help. Both of them blew her off as an over-reactive first time mom.
Then she started bleeding. I got her to the ER as fast as I could.
The doctor ordered an ultrasound. Didn’t say anything, just left the room. Two more doctors came in and worked on the ultrasound. They sent for another machine. At one point she had half a dozen doctors quietly looking at the ultrasound. This went on for more than an hour.
Finally one of the doctors had the others clear out. He then explained to us that she wasn’t carrying a baby, but a tumor. A molar pregnancy.
She suffered for three months - begging for help. Trying to convince *someone* that something was wrong. That this wasn’t a normal pregnancy. Educated idiots told her that she didn’t know what she was talking about.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve dealt with this crap. Instincts count for something.