Driven to Help
Posted 09-14-2009 at 10:58 PM by Jeff
Tags
arrhythmia
,
medical advice
Some days I wish I'd been a bit more disciplined like Jodie, and become a cardiologist (Jodie's not a cardiologist, but she IS more disciplined than I am). Over the last few months I have found myself completely intrigued by ECG tracings and the vast amount of information they can provide. Every single millimeter of that squiggly line can provide valuable information about the health status of your heart.
But sometimes I'm not sure if I go too far. I'm corresponding with a single mom from Romania right now (not sure if she lives in Romania or was born there) who's son has been having a multitude of cardiological tests to determine a diagnosis and decide on a course of treatment. One doctor says he needs ablation. Another says he's fine and doesn't need anything. In the meantime, she's watching her son slowly deteriorate, getting pale, tired all the time.
Enter me, with possibly more guts than brains, but learning to read ECGs and wanting to help. How can you not want to help a single mom with a son with medical issues? So I'm doing the very best that I can, researching what I can through my reference materials and scouring the web, providing her completely amateur medical opinions, but hoping it will help her to at least ask appropriate questions, and from those questions she can decide on the best course of treatment for her son.
I'm nervous to be doing this. But I'm also excited at the prospect of helping.
But sometimes I'm not sure if I go too far. I'm corresponding with a single mom from Romania right now (not sure if she lives in Romania or was born there) who's son has been having a multitude of cardiological tests to determine a diagnosis and decide on a course of treatment. One doctor says he needs ablation. Another says he's fine and doesn't need anything. In the meantime, she's watching her son slowly deteriorate, getting pale, tired all the time.
Enter me, with possibly more guts than brains, but learning to read ECGs and wanting to help. How can you not want to help a single mom with a son with medical issues? So I'm doing the very best that I can, researching what I can through my reference materials and scouring the web, providing her completely amateur medical opinions, but hoping it will help her to at least ask appropriate questions, and from those questions she can decide on the best course of treatment for her son.
I'm nervous to be doing this. But I'm also excited at the prospect of helping.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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I think it is awesome that you use your knowledge to help others, I am sure you have told her you are not a doctor and that she understands that, but the fact you are helping her is fantastic.Posted 10-05-2009 at 05:21 AM by Susie
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Big respect to you Jeff, i know that support and help is and will be invaluble to her and her son. Many eyes have got to be better than one set!!!Posted 10-17-2009 at 04:47 PM by Neil
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Thank you for this site...it wonderful to know you are NOT alone.Posted 11-03-2009 at 08:03 PM by tachygirl
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Not alone at all. In fact, you're among a group of smart, caring, helpful people.Posted 11-04-2009 at 09:49 AM by Jeff 
