Time for a break from the usual. I will return with more signers next week.
The following recent event happened a month ago in mid July. This is a discussion on the state of medical treatments for an average Joe, who likely represents thousands of patients nationwide each day. In this specific case it is about a close friend and brother in Christ, so it is personal.
For the record, our family’s approach toward the use of the medical industry has evolved into a belief that they are guilty until proven innocent in their motives. As a result we verify first, trust maybe after a great amount of consultation and prayer.
With the rebuild of the medical industry well underway through the Trump administration, it seemed appropriate to do an authored post about this very recent real life experience of our good friend, who has been sharing some of his story on fakebook. The idea for telling this story at all started with my reading this X post from Secretary Robert Kennedy that was shared by TheseTruths on here a few weeks ago.
Then there is this recent article,
https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-unseen-cost-of-organ-transplants
The Back Story
For this true story I will call our friend “Bud”. Some may figure out he was a source for a BIMD story in that Bud is the same one who is long term friends and a former co-worker with country music superstar Morgan Wallen’s dad. Bud is in his early 50’s, married to the love of his life for 20+ years (his third marriage/her second); has three adult children from his first two marriages along with a step daughter from his wife, most of whom have spouses; has nine grandchildren; and has a growing six employee construction business with three family members working in it. He is nearly the same age as my step daughter, who went to high school with him although they did not know each other well.
I became acquainted with Bud a dozen years or so ago when he was referred to me by a neighbor as a good handyman. At the time Bud had been employed long term in the construction industry as a working supervisor in his speciality. However, he had learned a great deal about all aspects of residential and small commercial construction through the years. He also learned more from his father, who had built his own home as well as worked part time for other builders. Bud has been gifted the ability to figure things out and do them the right way when handling home construction, remodeling and repairs. With his after hours handyman workload picking up, he was faced with a decision, should he continue on his own full time or stay in a decent job that had no upside while continuing to moonlight as a handyman.
Over the next year he did work for us and many others around the area. We got better acquainted and learned each other’s life stories, shared our common faith, got to know each other’s families and friends, and so on. He justified my trust enough that we could leave town on a Fall Frolic or other trip and I could give him jobs to do in our absence and never have the first concern about it. He never had to be concerned about getting paid, beating him down on price, or ignoring his recommendations. We treat each other respectfully and fair, but more importantly, we have developed a bond of friendship well beyond the work. We love them and they love us as family.
One day he stopped by our house because he knew my business and banking background. He asked my opinion if he should go full time into his own business, that he felt led to do so and his wife supported whatever decision he made. Her job was good, stable and could provide health insurance. I told him that if the Lord was putting it on his heart, he had no choice. I confirmed that I had never met a more conscientious builder/home repair guy in all my years of lending into the industry as well as with my own, more limited residential home building and ownership experience. I reaffirmed he had the expertise and work ethic to be successful if he had access to good customers that needed his services at fair prices. We talked it through some more and he called me a week later to say he had pulled the trigger. His mid-life crisis at around age 40 was to start a business. 😀
From that point over the next decade his workload and business grew. He and his company are a rarity in an industry populated by a number of crooks, posers, and wannabes.
All of which leads to this current point in time and the related medical industry story.
Medical Emergency
Bud has been experiencing pains in his gut at infrequent, random times for a couple of years. For background purposes; diverticulitis runs in his family, so he attributed the pain to that. He would go to a GI doc, have blood tests and be scoped – nothing. Last month the pain knocked him for a loop and he headed to the nearest hospital ER fast due to the extreme pain. Bud’s wife works in an administrative office in a competing hospital, but there was not enough time to get there.
For those who are wondering, Bud took just the first jab, did not get the second and had nothing after that. He grew uneasy by what was going on. He has also been a half pack a day cigarette smoker. the periodic gut pains had been going on randomly for ten years, just not as acute.
Things started off well; he was seen quickly, admitted, scans/tests run, provided a room, etc. The nursing staff and on staff resident doc examined and gave him a pain med. They told him an assigned surgeon had read the scans and part of his colon was dead. They also saw another spot of concern at the lower end of his colon. The resection surgery would mean he would have to wear a bag for at least 6 months. He is a hands on builder who also does the electrical and plumbing roles himself, so there would be added financial and scheduling burdens from adding subcontractors for this replacement work as a result. Not good – Bud was worried.
They told him he would need a colonoscopy the following morning, then the surgeon (former military doc) would operate the day after that. Bud said if the man would not come to his room and talk to him personally first that he would not be cutting on him. They told him the surgeon was great, but never saw any patient before surgery. Bud’s wife verified that statement was true with her co-workers at the other hospital. Bud told his wife to have him moved to her hospital and find another doc for a second opinion. The current hospital agreed to release him. Then Bud and wife found out how much they would have to pay out of pocket to both hospitals if they did so. They could not afford it and were stuck.
It was at this point that he texted me from his hospital room to update. He said they were working on alternatives. I told him we were praying for him and that my father had exactly the same problem 60 years ago. His surgeon did a similar procedure without using a bag after giving him antibiotics for a serious infection first. My father recovered quickly after the surgery and lived another 40 years without issue. It lifted Bud’s spirits to learn this.
Bud’s daughter is in nursing in a city a couple hours away. She told them to do nothing that evening; to wait for her to get back with them. She had surgical nurse friends that might know a good alternative. So they bedded down for the night. The colonoscopy guy came in early the next morning and told him it was time to do the procedure. Bud said no it wasn’t, the nursing staff never prepped him for it. The guy was then pizzed at the nursing staff. They told him they thought Bud was leaving and going somewhere else. So they start prepping him only to mess it all up. Prep fluids and fecal matter start flowing out everywhere on Bud, the bed, the floor, etc. 😂 They then had to clean him and the room up. After all of that he was taken to be scoped.
Soon after he was brought back to his room a different surgeon (Doc #2) walked into his room. Doc #2 told him that a friend of Bud’s daughter had contacted his office and asked him to give a second opinion. He asked Bud if that was OK and he responded that he was relieved and appreciative. Doc #2 told him he had reviewed the scans, blood tests and exam notes – he indeed appeared to have a partially dead colon. He was relieved to learn from Doc #2 that all scans and tests showed he was negative for cancer, since idgit doc did not let him know anything. Doc #2 did a quick examination. Bud asked him about the spot they wanted to check with the colonoscopy. He responded that it was just a small amount of fecal matter that showed up in the scans. Bud asked what would happen after the surgery that was scheduled the next day. Doc #2 asked, “What surgery?” Then proceeded to explain there would not be surgery for several months unless his condition worsened if he chose to use his services.
Bud was puzzled at this point. Doc #2 told him he would first prescribe a series of antibiotics to clear the infection that set up in his colon that was causing the pain. Once it was cleared up he would do more scans and know more about its condition before doing any surgery. Bud asked why the idgit surgeon did not diagnose the infection so that antibiotics could be used first? Doc #2 rolled his eyes, but refused to speculate. Bud asked him if he would have to wear a bag after the surgery. Doc #2 said nope, he would remove the dead section and close. He predicted if all went well he would have a recovery time in the hospital of about four days afterwards. Bud decided to press his luck and told Doc #2 that he had a long planned vacation to FL before this happened that was supposed to start in two days. Doc #2 said to go, take the meds, and do no heavy lifting. The couple’s four grandkids who were going with them received the good news and were elated.
Bud called to give me an update after the exam. He thanked us for the prayers. I asked him if they fire hosed him and the room down after the colonoscopy prep. He had a good laugh, so I knew the pain meds were working well.
Sometimes the difference 24 hours can make is mind boggling. God is so good. All we have to do is to learn to wait and pay attention.
I talked with Bud again a few days afterwards as he was laying under a canopy at the hotel pool. His wife drove them down, he was feeling much better, the antibiotics seemed to be helping. His pain was minimal. It had dawned on him fully that the Lord still has plans for him springing from this crisis in his life.
God’s Provision
Bud’s father came to the Christian faith later in life at around age 40. He had lived rough up to that point. He was a former hard living Vietnam vet and factory worker. When he accepted Christ he changed dramatically and made a positive impact on the lives of his wife and children. This eventually led to him becoming a pastor in a small church in a poverty stricken community in his time off from his factory job. The church flourished and became a light to the community. Lives were changed. He retired recently at age 70. He is one of the finest men I have ever met.
During his father’s first visit that evening with Bud in the hospital he pointed out that God did not want him to go to the other hospital or it would have been an open door with the right surgeon provided and nothing would be getting in his way. He urged Bud to be patient and wait on God to provide what was best. The next day it all changed for the better.
I initially brought this story because of the ridiculous handing of the medical diagnosis and treatment of my friend. He was at a very vulnerable point and the medical system was set up against him. Had Bud and his wife not stood their ground he may have been butchered or given a death sentence by this grievous error. Had his daughter not solicited help for a second opinion from a reputable, competent surgeon they may have given in and had it done when all he needed immediately was antibiotics and rest. He should have been given options on treatment and surgery. The idgit surgeon had to know it was an option to try to heal the infection before any surgery, but refused to speak with the patient and was going to cut him open anyway. The untreated infection could have easily caused the surgery to be a failure. It also could have led to more of his colon being removed than was necessary as well. This would have affected Bud’s quality of life. Idgit’s actions were malpractice with what could be considered as malicious intent in my opinion
I shudder to think about what COULD have been if they had not delayed the decision and sought a second opinion under God’s guidance. There was potential for a tragic loss to loved ones, employees, customers, church and community.
In truth, at some point Bud could have been reduced to an organ donor by simply going to a hospital to be healed of something that has commonly been treated successfully in the manner that Doc #2 is using just as my own father’s situation was handled sixty years ago. Which makes me wonder about how many other people go through experiences similar to these throughout the nation on a daily basis.
As I finish this story, I need to relay a more recent conversation with Bud. He went to a scheduled appointment with Doc #2. After exam and tests he determined that the infection is being handled well. It is now time to start the pre-surgery preparation, which will be in early October as compared to the Idgit’s desires. It will be robotic with a laparoscopic incision to reduce chances for infection and improve healing time. Idgit planned traditional surgery with the bag. I doubt he would have even been capable of doing what Doc #2 is planning, who is obviously much more qualified. Bud also learned Idgit was planing to leave on a two week vacation the next day after the scheduled surgery. Hard to believe, but true.
Once again the lesson is to wait on the Lord.
In preparation Doc #2 wants Bud to do a one mile fitness walk every day to build his core stronger and ready for the surgery. The couple live on top of a hill and the road has a steep incline, so building his core should not be a problem. His wife is also using it as an opportunity to improve her health as they walk together in the evenings. A revised diet has started with no red meat, no desserts, more water, less caffeine, soft foods, etc. The third thing was addressed with him eye to eye – Doc #2 ordered him to quit smoking if he wanted to live. He wants all of the nicotine and stuff out of his system over the next two months to improve his chances for a full recovery. Bud is on board with it and began immediately.
Doc #2 plans to have him out of the hospital in four days post surgery as predicted previously. He will be under a no lifting restriction for three months to keep the bag away. Needless to say, Bud has no problem with complying and has employees who can handle the heavy lifting.
He is in an introspective, more joyful state of mind now. He is thinking things through and waiting on the Lord to give him clarity about how to proceed with his life from here. Selfishly and from the cheap seats, I would tell him to keep doing what he is doing. He just needs to take more time to decompress and enjoy the blessings in his life. So many people need the presence of this man until the Lord calls him home.
If you get a spare moment, please pray for Bud’s healing. Then take time to let others you care about know what they mean to you. If you need a medical provider, keep your eyes and options open. As we see in this story; there are sincere, competent professionals you can trust. There are also money hungry losers with no concern for you. Take nothing at face value, ask questions, consult with others you trust, and spend time with the Lord to gain clarity. Do not allow yourself to be set up to be a potential organ donor.
Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.
Be blessed and go make something good happen!
