Cell 2 Soul: The Humane Health Care Blog

A Love Letter To My Primary

by Judith Bruder email

As you well know, Doctor, I’m both a medical buff and a hypochondriac, which often crowds up our office visits. But you’re unfailingly patient and kind, and do your best to listen with compassion and grace. Because you do that with every patient, you often are running late. I used to spend that time with a book, but lately I’ve begun watching the restless crowd coming and going in the waiting room, a lot like sitting in a busy hotel lobby. And I think.

To read Ms. Bruder's full letter: Download Judith Bruder to Her Primary Doctor

 

This was first published in the Northhampton Conz Street Chronicle, July, 2018

Comment:  Victor Montori, M.D., in his book, The Patient Revolution, describes Ms. Bruder's sentiment from a physician's perspective: "When love informs patient care, there is no room for the mercantile. Documentation and payer-incentivized care bring in money. Laughing and crying and sharing with our patients do not. Efficient office visits too often ignore the patient.

 

 

Two Poems by Jane Seskin

OFFICE VISIT

At the Doctor’s
they’re quick to put you
in a brightly lit room
without a clock, close the door
so you think you’re next,
but honestly, you’re not.

I’m always cold sitting
on the paper-covered exam table,
wearing the short-sleeved gown,
magazine left outside,
shut away from the hallway action
where the staff is merrily chatting.

For years I’ve sat quietly,
patiently, nervously. Isolated.
But now, now I’m in mode of
older smart ass and I-won’t-follow-
your-rules, so I push open the door
… and yes, at long last I am seen.

GRIEF-WORK

I wrote my Mother
a love letter
on a yellow legal pad
a year after her death.

I described workshops taught,
poems published, trips taken,
friends seen, men dated
and at the end

recounted
the incredible loss I felt,
from her absence
in my life.

Then I burned the four pages
in the bathroom sink,
spooned the ashes
into three baggies,

got on a plane to Florida
and scattered the words of love
behind the condo
where she lived with my Dad,

in the park
of the assisted living complex
where she died
in her sleep,

and down the very middle
of her well-kept grave
where I watered the ashes
with my tears.

 

Bio: Jane Seskin is a clinical social worker and the author of Witness To Resilience: Stories of Intimate Violence. You can follow her on Twitter: @jsauthorshrink

Helpless on Hold

by Jane Seskin

Trying to make a doctor’s appointment
with a group practice,
13 minutes of nonstop
recorded repetition
(3-4 times each sentence).

“Your call is very important to us
and we look forward to speaking with you.
We know your time is valuable
and assistance is just a moment away.
We apologize for the delay.
We’re experiencing
a high call volume.
A representative
will assist you momentarily.”
And this nugget of intimidation:
“If you choose to hang up,
you’ll lose your place in line.”

They say the call
may be recorded.
Oh yes, oh please, oh yes!

********************************

Jane Seskin is a clinical social worker and the author of Witness To Resilience: Stories of Intimate Violence. Her experiences calling a doctor's office led to this fine piece that appeared In the NY Times, May 23, 2016.  Jane is a C2S reader, and her piece is published with her approval.