A Reason I Write
I got a message from a reader. Along the way, she had several tragedies in her life and was treated unfairly at times. She read “The Mandolin Case” and it gave her hope that there were people out there who still treat people fairly; doctors who do love their patients, care about their families, and try to do the right thing. She said as she read the story her understandable bitterness dissipated for a moment.
Because of my recent illness I had to slow down but I still write. That kind of feedback makes every hour of struggle worth it. To know my book made the life of one human being a little better; a person I have never met but who knows me only through my written words is a huge thrill to a writer. It is why I write.
I’m making small bits of progress on “Acquisition Syndrome.” Because of my visual impairment progress is slower than I’d hoped for but I to have it out by spring. It is still in need of serious edit, but they do like the content of the book. It shows what I hoped to show. I believe that medicine should be a healing art and not a business. Yes, I made a decent living but I always put patients first and worried about the money later. We own our home and educated our children, we will not miss any meals, so it was all good. That was enough. The modern trend of treating patients as “customers” or cash flow revenue stream is no fun. I hold out hope “Acquisition Syndrome” will show this. I wrote the book to try to pass on some life lessons I believe important and should not be lost. I hope y’all will bear with me and take a look at it when it is finally released. If you like it I hope recommend to people.
All the best and thanks for reading.
Dr. B
Tags: reasons to write
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
August 28, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Several years ago you told me you & Bill were part of a vanishing breed – those that really wanted to make a difference, to help people, to put others first and the financial part would work out. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, he DID make a difference in a very positive way, and you are still doing so – first with your medicine, then with your writing, and finally in the way you face problems & live your life! Keep up the good work – I am looking forward to reading your next book & many more to follow!
August 28, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Bless your heart Carolyn and yes, Bill was one of the good’uns. Dr. B
August 28, 2011 at 8:49 pm
You are so right on about the way patients get the ‘customer’ and ‘cash flow’ treatment these days. I remember when I was a kid and Doctors made home visits, carried around a ‘doctor bag’…and actually saw you if you went into the hospital. Isn’t that way anymore much and I think we have really lost something in that ‘change’. A lot of changes are not always for the good. And this may be one of them. As an old timer in the psychotheapy business, I have seen the same kind of thing happen. I am glad I don’t have to worry about collecting from insurance companies and ‘third party payers’ whoever they are. Now that I am semi-retired, I can just help folks who need help my own way, in my own time and at my own pace. It works pretty good that way, Doc B…and I know you understand it better than most. Thanks for all you have done to help make other people’s lives better….I know that’s true and you’ve done the work. God Bless you and the family. Elwood “Doc” Jackson
August 29, 2011 at 6:29 am
bless your heart Doc. Yeah some changes are for the best. Without modern eye surgery, chemo and Radiation therapy I’d be blind and closing in on dead, but some of the old ways are best too as far as how to be kind to our fellow human beings. I got my start making house calls with my Dad. I used to make a few too and still have the black bag! Dr. B
August 29, 2011 at 7:06 am
Read in the paper today that a top school official ask his board to cut his pay to less than what a new teacher gets. He just decided that he had three years to go until he retired, and he didn’t need to put away any more money. In this field of greed it is nice to hear about people who just want to make the world a little better. Even better when they write a book that shows there are some others out there. That is the whold point — You live forever if you pass it on. You can do it in sculpture, painting or writing or just doing a good deed.
August 29, 2011 at 7:12 am
I am so looking forward to your next book…
August 29, 2011 at 8:03 am
Billy,
I saw that too, and realized I have done the same. I am gonna make a comeback at the office but only 1/2 time and mentor/supervisor status for a new N.P when we get them hired. I told the brass “I don’t care what you pay me, (I’m not worth as much now and I know it) I just want to keep heath insurance to protect my wife and not abandon my patients.” I don’t think they have had too many offers like that from an old Doc who could just give up and quit.
I just started a big audio Home Study Doc program. I ain’t going in the ring like an unprepared old prize fighter.
Dr. B
August 29, 2011 at 8:05 am
Bless your heart Carmen. I have a lot of support in Missouri and I think it goes back to you and bluegrass first and then next a blog pal named Jel.
Dr. B
August 29, 2011 at 4:09 pm
yell Doc ya got Support from Missouri 🙂
Is Carmen from Missouri too ?
August 29, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Jel, Bless your heart. Yeah Carmen is out there somewhere sure enough. She was a very early “Mandolin Case” test reader. Dr. B