Going to the doctor recently, for that, ever so famous yearly checkup, you are stripped down to nothing and left in a gown that barely covers your right breast. The room is so freezing cold that any warmth you may have had, has slipped out the back. The doctor knocks on the door and enters the room; he looks over the chart, and finally acknowledges my presence. He tries to divert attention from the tasks and he asked, “What’s been going on?”
Feeling very self-conscious because of weight that seemed to have jumped on areas sprawled out on that little table, I tried to explain with as much dignity as I could that I had been devoting much of my time in completing my degree in health science. He asked what major I was working on and I told him, health wellness. He looked stunned and said, “Is there really a field for that?” Now, at this point, I am feeling very uncomfortable, with the nurse and him both staring at my anatomy up in stirrups like a cow going to slaughter.
Now as if I had not already felt uncomfortable, here is the doctor, I have had so much faith in, asking me one of the stupidest questions I had ever heard. “Is there really a field for that?” this seems to be playing in my mind repeatedly as I am lying there and he is finishing his work. I was so stunned. I had to ask him one more time before I left the office if I heard him right, and he confirmed I had. This very intelligent doctor brings many lives into the world daily and makes life and death decisions in some cases and I again I was stunned speechless.
Driving home afterwards, I became deeply disturbed knowing the doctor who has treated me for the last 10 years with my most personal attributes has thought nothing more of me then symptoms. He has not really been looking at me as a holistic person but as another woman who has the same body parts as the next one.
At that point, I decided, I would never treat any two people the same while in the integral medicine field. We are all holistic people with individual needs. I know now why it is important for people to grow spiritually, psychologically and physically both professionally and personally. People become stale and stagnant in what they do everyday. It is important we serve with what we do and by doing so we are surely to grow. As I continue to grow, I will always remember this story and realize how stagnant people become.
Health domain on a scale of 1-10, the scale would reflect one being the best and ten being the worst. I would rate my health a five. My Spiritual domain is a 6. My Psychological domain is a 7. In my health domain, I have a goal of exercising daily. In my Spiritual domain, my goal is to become an active member in a church. My Psychological domain my goal is to work on my self-esteem issues.
To obtain my health goal I plan to join a gym or a fitness club within the next two weeks. I will also start walking the afternoons next week. In my Spiritual domain, I plan on going to different churches to find a spiritual home and I plan to meditate daily. Psychological domain, I plan to use meditation to work on my self-esteem issues and joining a weight loss club.
I will keep track of my weight loss by the pounds that I lose. I will keep track of my spirituality by the churches I visit. I will measure my progress by keeping a journal. I will also ask my husband to help me stay on track and I plan to continue my blog with my classmates.
References
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.
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Melissa~
ReplyDeletethat was soo interesting. Now! I amgoing to start asking my doctors if they have any knowledge on holistical and Integral health and wellness. I know that was stunning for you b/c it was for me. All is well, in time Integral Healing will be a part of medical democracy...Melissa I want to personally thank you for everything you did for me..God bless you always, Angie
Melissa:
ReplyDeletesounds like you have your work cut out for you. Don't take it out on your Dr. It's all he knows. You are the one in control - of your life. and I am certain you will have a profound positive effect on those you touch professionally and personally.
Keep in touch!
I have seen several doctors that tend to overlook me as a person and just want to know what my 'problem' is. They usually only spend about 10 minutes with me and are then off to the next person. It is good to know that you recognize that many people can get sidetracked and treat us all the same instead of as an individual. I know that you will always look at everyone as unique. Good luck finishing your degree!
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