LAW XIII

Finally, my copy of The House of God by Samuel Shem has arrived. I finished it over 3 days.

Despite being written in medico-language, which i understand, and english words that are not too bombastic, there are some concepts and nuances that i still can't grasp. I think i need to read it again, this is where my limitations in comprehending literature are exposed.

Law XIII of the House of God: THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL CARE IS TO DO AS MUCH NOTHING AS POSSIBLE

I swear there are still some consultants that do not get the hang of this concept.

It has also started me thinking about how i've been pushing the one with the genial smile and silver white hair for total knee replacements on both sides because of her arthritis. Thinking in terms of the wisdom imparted from the book, she is in fact a LOL in NAD (little old lady in no apparent distress) and i should leave her alone.

Argh... one part of me is convinced that she needs the TKR for better quality of life. The other part of me thinks that i'm just trying to ease my guilt of not being able to care for her.

Is regaining her mobility and hence her independence going to reduce her loneliness and depression or am i just barking up the wrong tree?

Who is in the best position to answer this question? The orthopaedic surgeon with a vested interest in doing the surgery? The internal physician schmuck who has told her to resign to fate and needs to defend his position on not doing anything? Generals #1, 2, 4 who don't want nothing to do with the operation?

Well looky here, i'm one of those people who find it hard to accept Law XIII. I understand and yet cannot accept without some death throes from my internal interventionist. Sigh.