If you could have any superpower, which would you choose? A local radio show poses this question in a game called Blatant Stereotyping. From what I recall, the favorite answers are usually along the line of being invisible or able to read minds. Superpowers which seem likely to introduce more problems if you ask me. I'd never really contemplated which I'd choose because, well, it's pretend and I couldn't think of one that didn't serve up its own dilemmas. That is until the other morning.
Aside from an unfortunate stint working at 5 am talking to east coast folks about their retirement plans, I've never been a morning person. These days mornings can be downright wicked and this one had been harder than usual. I awoke in a deep fog struggling to come to the surface. The legs were already sporting buzzing and vibrating -- things that usually happen later in the day as my motor skills wind down. My mind began attempting a prediction of functioning for the day. And, I pondered whether any of this was documentation-worthy.
Whether futile or suggestive of neurotic tendencies, I document my daily symptoms and functioning. I'm still looking for clues and patterns in what my body serves up. I'd like to think that the documentation helps to point out things that were once new but have slowly slyly assimilated into my ever-evolving normal. I guess I'm secretly hoping to discover a clue that will be useful to docs. Something that might elicit more than their smile as they shrug their shoulders. Neurologists are somewhat justifiably vague folks.
So, back to that morning. I continued struggling to gain consciousness and movement for an hour or so. Providing a distraction, or possibly aiding in my goal, was my cat, Jake. Each time I awoke he was farther and farther from from me on the bed and sporting a look of disdain and contempt that only felines can dish out. What is it about us cat owners that we knowingly choose this sort of treatment over the steady loyalty and adoration of a dog? In any case, he was clear in his disapproval of my slothfulness and the delay in his feeding. But I digress.
The radio played in the background as I drove to work. I was still pondering how to document the differences in symptoms, how they'd changed from a few months ago, sensory vs. motor, and on and on went my mind until...If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?... jumped out at me from the radio. The woman chose reading others' minds. Doh! Really?! Do you really want to read your boss' mind, or worse, your significant other's mind? Please.
Then it hit me. Yeah, I know what superpower I want! How about if I could transfer my symptoms and functions (or lack thereof) to my doc for just 24 hours? She could get a realistic picture of what transpires for me, or rather inside of me, for a 24-hour period. It could be like a human-to-human plug and play USB function. Yeah, that's it! The checkups would be so much simpler. No rambling explanations. She could feel and assess for herself. My credibility factor would likely be raised significantly. Yeah, this is it! Hmm, but how would this work if all of her patients were doing this? She couldn't function. And, of all the docs I've met in the last few years, I really would not wish that on her. Wait, the other patients wouldn't have this superpower. So, that would be ok. Oh wait a minute. It's just pretend. I wouldn't have it either.
I am not a cat owner right now, but was at one time, so I can relate. Dittos for how wicked AM's can be. Love how the fantasy ends. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your idea about your blog, that is how I roll too, just see where it takes me, kind of same way I live. My blog has been very entertaining for me and helps work through story ideas and styles. NOW, hmmm...I would want super strength. Yes, able to help so many others and certainly my own MS. NOW, hmmm, why DO we get cats? I've had both, prefer dogs, except cats are easier to clean up after since if they could they would prefer to do it all on there own. To have the purr of the unattainable is so alluring, and when we get that, oh it feels so good. (PS--there are more than a few Drs. I would like to transfer my MS to, just for a day. Hiss!)
ReplyDeleteCentenniel - good to see you here! Glad you liked my musings from the other morning.
ReplyDeleteDiane - yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing how this morphs -- BT, MS, cats, spawning salmon in the local creek. And, yes, there are docs that I'd like to transfer all my symptoms to from my worst day for at least 24 hours -- but that's a post of its own! I enjoy your blog.
Heh, I'd like to give everything that goes on to my NS, too :) Maybe then he'd stop dismissing headaches with "WE ALL GET THEM, DON'T WE??"
ReplyDeleteGood luck, I hope it all works out for you :)
Hmmm, 24-Hour Symptoms Transfer. Very interesting. Now that's health care reform!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletejust read an interesting letter in my alumni magazine from an arbitrator who said he only met success when he got people to "walk in each other's shoes." It seems to me that your proposal is very much in keeping with that.
ReplyDeletePea: Aren't some of the comments from docs leveling? They really indicate them not getting the magnitude of function affected.
ReplyDeleteJinx: BELLY LAUGH! Reading that was a true LOL moment!
Peace: I was really trying to "walk in other's shoes" today when I kept encountering quite disagreeable people in medical offices. Not sure that I succeeded though!