Speaking of Therapists

Not long ago, I wrote to  you about the possibility of getting help from a professional counselor if you get 'stuck' in life...

Something happened to me this week that reminded me of this and I want to share it with you. It's not about counseling per say, but it does involve one of my other doctors, who's been treating me for awhile now, trying diligently to help get to the bottom of a muscle biopsy I recently had. He's even sent my slides out to some pretty impressive places to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. I mean this doctor has gone above and beyond for  me. I'm very grateful to him. Plus, I really like this guy as a person.

This week's appointment was unlike any other. See, very unexpectedly, he asked me how I fill my days now that I'm not as physically able to exercise and work~~like I used to be. And just as unexpectedly, a surge of tears hit my eyes and I had to swallow hard! (I was thinking, 'What's up with this? I haven't cried in a long time! Why now??') I was frustrated. But I said, "Wait.. I'm going to cry," and held up my finger.

So he waited...

"I keep my mind occupied."

He nodded.

"With writing?"

 (It's like he already knew)

So I nodded.

"And do you read a lot also?"

I kept nodding, thankful for unspoken language.

He nodded back. He was so serious.

Why am I telling you this little story?

Because he's never asked before. In the 2 years he's been treating me, those questions never crossed his lips. So why this time? I can't say for sure, but I think the fact that he had a cast on his leg and was using a scooter to get around had something to do with it...
...because the next words he uttered were, "It's only been a few weeks for me, and I can't stand just
sitting on the couch anymore." Hmmmmmmm.....Yes, I understand.

Ah! Empathy, that crowned jewel of mental health.

All of this led to a more meaningful discussion that I was more than happy to have with him. He is smart and caring. And honestly, my heart goes out to him. His prognosis is excellent. He's expected to recover fully and re-gain the use of his leg. It will require time and patience, of course. I told him I'd be praying for a fast and complete recovery for him because it's tough to be sidelined from your own life when you're used to going full-speed ahead! And his injury came as a result of doing something he loves...something that I also used to love; running. (Maybe that's what pushed the waterworks button) As we all know, the unexpected can come and change us in an instance when we least expect it.

He didn't offer any words of comfort or encouragement for me, which is ok--I suppose he's thinking it's his job to treat the physical me, which he does very, very well... Just because he's a doctor doesn't mean he has the gift of encouragement after all. (No one has all the gifts God can dole out!)
Maybe doctors don't think it's their place and they leave encouragement to people like family members and therapists to treat the emotional me and hopefully clergy to treat the spiritual me. I do have those people in my life, fortunately. I'm also blessed to have many friends who support me. Besides, lots of people, doctors included, find it hard to say the right things even when their patients lives are being dramatically re-routed. And he is an excellent doctor, so that's support enough. But I know this. He's living his life from my perspective for maybe the first time in his life. And that could serve him well as a doctor and a human being going forward if he allows it to. What do you think?
Blessings xx