This week I have had an infection of some kind in my lungs. When I
finally went to the VA Medical Center the doctor looked at my chart
and took an agressive diagnosis and treatment action. She said that
with my background they couldn't leave anything to chance.

So, the chances of missing a diagnosis are much less for me than the
average patient. It's nice to feel special.

And, no, I don't feel that I am depriving anyone from getting adequate
treatment. There was only one other patient in the ER when I was there
and they spent nearly an hour removing a splinter from his finger
before they paid attention to me. I think I suffered more from empathy
while they probed him than he did. He left the splinter in his finger
for 6 weeks before coming in for treatment. Apparently, it was a
really bad infection.

My doctor was checking me over for pain in my lymph nodes. She kept
touching me and saying, "Does it hurt here?"

I always responded, "NO."

Then she asked, "Would you tell me if it did?"

And I answered, "No."

She smiled, but was satisfied because she could read my face and body
reactions which told her I was truthful this time.

Shana Tova,
Chuck