The Doctor's Prescription

My mother would consult a government doctor while at my sister's place in the outskirts of Chennai. As this doctor knew mom's medical history quite well, she discouraged us from getting her operated for stones in her gall bladder at her age of 80 years. So we left it at that.

This incident happened 4 years ago in Chennai where she stays with me.

While at Chennai, my mom would visit a lady doctor's clinic very close by to check on her BP.

It was on one such visit when I did not accompany her as I was busy with packing off my sons to college that morning. She told me that she was going to check her BP this time as usual and that nothing was wrong with her.

Soon an attendant from the clinic came running and told me that the doctor wanted to see me right away. I went there to find mom seated calmly inside the doctor's room. First she said I should have accompanied my mother to the clinic and second, she was in quite a serious condition. I was surprised as I could see mom was sitting and appeared quite normal to me.

Mother had complained of mild stomach pain to her. I asked the doctor what was wrong with my mom. She drew a daigram on her prescription sheet. It was the chest and abdominal area, I could see. Then she proceeded to draw 4 dots in 4 directions inside. She told me my mom had to be admitted immediately for an emergency surgery in these 4 areas. To remove through keyhole surgeries, her gall bladder itself, some kidney stones, appendicitis and one other thing I don't recollect right now!

She suggested the Asian Hospitals at Besant Nagar to get admitted into, where the surgery could be performed either in the night itself or the next day, early morning. And asked me to deposit Rs.60,000/- at the hospital for the keyhole surgeries assuring that all will be well with her after this.
But before that she wanted us to go get a scan of the entire area at a centre at Thiruvanmiyur, a nearby area.

I rushed her to the scan centre. We both waited for the doctor's report. I asked my mom what exactly happened and she said she had no clue whatsoever. She had complained about her stomach discomfort as usual and din't know what to make of these tests, etc. The scan doctor told us that for her age of 80, these things are common ailments and it would be better to leave them untouched. In other words no immediate surgery was required.

Nevertheless, we went again to the doctor to show her those scan reports and waited silently for 'her' verdict. It was the same - emergency operation is the need of the hour and that I was being careless about my mother's health. She knew I was not getting convinced about the whole thing.

I have always consulted my eldest sister before I took such decisions for mom, so I asked for some time to talk and get back to the doctor. She got so wild and said it is an emergency and what if something happened to my mom, would I wait for my sister to come and advise me?! I din't want to be provoked as I knew from deep inside my heart that it was not an emergency and it was really unnecessary for mom to get into some complicated procedures. Near and dear ones do know when there's an emergency.

I talked to my sister after she returned back from work that evening and asked her to read out the scan report to mom's doctor for a second opinion. The verdict was don't proceed with the multiple surgeries as the scan report revealed a very mild case of her problems and din't warrant any emergency operation.

It would do neither of us any good to have an argument or a fight so I just wanted to inform the doctor that evening that my mom will not get admitted for those keyhole surgeries.

Even after 4 years, my mom just gets on with life as normally as her age can permit.
She made me feel that I was not receptive to my mom's health needs.
After a couple of months she just shut shop and the clinic remains locked to this day. Maybe she has shifted to some other place.

May all of us remain healthy and never end up in a hospital for any tests and treatment. May we have the presence of mind to seek a second opinion just to be sure even if we are covered through a medical insurance from head to toe.

Cheers!
Mahalakshmi