Being one who has always enjoyed a good doctor joke as well as the more common lawyer jokes, I found myself playing a minor role in two instances concerning the medical trade, and specifically the cardiological specialty...In recounting these anecdotes, I will not name the individuals as both are rebuilding their lives, and I owe a personal debt of gratitude to each for their services...
The first was a referral from another doctor, and proved his worth to me on a personal level twice; the first as he skillfully diagnosed and repaired a faulty blood vessel, which to this day is still functioning unobstructed 15 years later...He also recommended the correct medication to reverse a cholesterol condition which, if left unattended, could have eventually undone his surgical work...
At another later time, my mother, who was in her eighties, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with stroke-like symptoms which she could not clearly communicate to the response team...While waiting in a side room until a doctor could be made free for examination, my cardiologist passed by on his way elsewhere, did a double-take when he saw me, and entered the room addressing me by my first name...
I briefly explained why my mother was there, and after a few seconds of examination, he began barking orders to nurses who cleared the room, and within ten minutes had Mom on the operating table where he installed a life saving pacemaker...I still do not know whether a surgeon of lesser reputation could have gotten that kind of instant response to his commands, but I do know that today, at the age of 97, my Mom's heart still astounds her doctors when she submits to her periodic checks to renew her prescriptions...
Unfortunately this fine surgeon, who could make snap decisions which saved countless lives, was not as astute in his own personal choices...His ever increasing workload created demands on his time which led to his abuse of certain drugs allowing him to remain awake and alert enough to continue his practice...His family life had also suffered, and a young lady of his acquaintance also began sharing his drug life...
Tragically she died from an overdose of drugs, for her possession of which he assumed responsibility...To his credit, even though one life was lost and many others shattered, he accepted all accountability for his actions, even though it cost him his career, and his means of making a living...After his license to practice was removed, he successfully sought treatment for his addiction and eventually wrote a book, detailing the events as they happened, as a warning to others who could fall victim to the same trap...
Today he continues to tell of his experiences to anyone who might benefit, and his license has been reinstated, but in an administrative capacity only...Continuing my magic touch, I next found another cardiologist who was equally inept when choosing his personal associates...
He first came to me as my customer in my store, buying collectible guns which he found interesting, and he even joined our shooting league...As I learned what he did for a living, and at that time needing a replacement physician for my heart, I started seeing him for regular check-ups...He was very personable, and although his gargantuan size might have made one question his ability to maintain the heart health of others, I never had reason to doubt his professional treatment of me...
But like his predecessor, his behavior in personal and business choices was not always wise...After not hearing from him for a few days which was unusual, a law enforcement friend told me his home had been raided, and he had been taken into custody...Having a few connections here and there, I was directed toward a look-see at the CSI photos which showed black-jacketed investigators with a veritable alphabet soup of gold lettering on their backs...Agencies were noted from our local sheriff's department to state agencies and various federal authorities including BATFE, FBI, DEA and ICE...
As it turned out, the main charges stemmed from a scheme to defraud Medicare for some non-existent wheelchairs and motorized scooters concocted between him and a "business partner"...But from my information, enough evidence was seized inside his home to warrant further investigation into sufficiently numerous other charges to keep him busy even without his medical license...
Knowing some of his family history, I can only imagine how his great-grandfather and namesake, who is favorably remembered making medical history of his own, might react if the news were known to him...A little investigation on my part in later years showed him practicing medicine again in another state, but I expect Texas has seen the last of him...
Since then, I have not enlisted the services of another cardiologist for fear of rounding out the traditional and historical trio of ill happenstances, but as of this writing, my heart still seems to be pumping on a regular basis, and I will give credit to the good work done by those two discussed above which is seldom credited to those who are remembered more for their notoriety...Thank you, gentlemen...
As fraught with drama as those two anecdotes might appear, they pale when compared to the choice made by a particular politician of the previous century...In a nation populated by a people who became infamous for their own abominable choice in leadership, that leader became dependent upon a medical professional, and even more reliant on the concoctions prescribed by the so-called healer...
The demands of office became so burdening to Adolf Hitler as he rushed to complete his genetic reconstruction of the world's population, that his own health became tenuous...Already a hypochondriac, Hitler's megalomania, combined with his paranoiac fear of losing control to others, allowed him to push himself into taking on more responsibility than he could reasonably account for...Staying awake long hours supervising his world annihilation plans, he began to exhibit signs of real disorders combined with his imaginary ones...
At this point, Hitler became the patient of the disgusting and swinish Dr. Theodor Morell, whose medical interests were always directed more to the improvement of his own position and wealth, rather than the health of any of his patients...He kept the Nazi leader ambulatory and functional by treating only the symptoms of his complaints, rather than the root causes with methamphetamine injections on an almost daily basis, as well as cocaine laden eyedrops to clear his vision...
Morell kept a steady flow of drugs pumping through Hitler's veins, and is said to have participated in the immense profits from the supply of Pervitin, a form of crystal meth, issued to Wehrmacht members to fuel their long battlefield advances...However, Morell was less forthcoming about his family's own Jewish origins than other doctors of Hitler's past such as Dr. Edward Bloch, who extended the life and comfort of Hitler's mother as she was stricken with terminal cancer...
Some critics have labeled the inclusion of the study of Herr Hitler's ailments in the analysis of his position of power, having and using the capacity of life or death over people at his own will, as irrelevant in a scientific discussion...Most historians include such evidence in any research concerning the events of the mid-20th century, saying if it affected the judgment of those in power, it's pertinence is obvious...My own conclusion is that Hitler was a man whose actions were always guided by hatred which he justified as a virtue, and an understanding of him and the times he lived in and influenced are germane to the prevention of reoccurrence...
Meanwhile my own existence was prolonged by the happy choice of an endocrinologist who has proven his worth to me in times of both good fortune, and more challenging times...When insurance was available to cover the costs of his services and his recommendations for medicines, my health was stabilized...When economics forced changes, he accepted lower payments, and found more cost-effective medicaments, all the while maintaining his interest in my improving health...
Like those who have preceded me in bygone times with their own attending physicians, only history will judge whether my doctors' efforts benefited mankind, or were a disservice to society by prolonging my life...
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