By mid-morning I had given a tearful family a bad diagnosis and delivered the news with as much compassion as I could. I’d fought with two insurance companies to approve therapy that had already helped my patients. A team of high dollar lawyers was determined to deny benefits to some poor guy who was hurt on the job. I gave them my usual line. “The truth is a powerful ally. I suggest you book a day at the Courthouse here and convince a jury I’m not telling the truth.” So far, no takers.
It was all so unfair I had to stop for some music therapy. The office ground to a halt. Everyone waited. I chose ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’ I played it for a little friend who was scared of those flying monkeys. I’m only one old gray-haired country doc, but at least today the child was reassured. I wanted to let her know we can overcome fear. Poor Judy Garland was so sensitive. Even as a child she knew there had to be something better. Follow the Yellow Brick Road; maybe there are still some Wizards out there.
I dedicate this song and today’s post to all my music friends. They are my music therapists. When they play on my office IPOD I can see my way to get by one more hypocritical insurance company or executive type who views a patient as part of their private market share kingdom.
My patients come to me not because I am the world’s best doctor, but because I view them as fellow human beings and not pawns in a grand commercial scheme. With the help of the Good Lord and my chosen stress reliever of music therapy no one can stop me.
Dr. B
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 