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What's Your Opinion?


18 years ago 0 68 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
hmmmm... well then a cardiologist should be able to deny surgery to those who eat Big Macs No physio for those who mountain climb No insulin for alcoholics No aids medication for mainline drug users. the reason he/she does this is simply because he/she can. What they are really doing is letting morality get in the way of medicine. This guy didn't ask to get his leg crushed. I just wonder where the line can be drawn. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 42 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 598 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $210 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37
18 years ago 0 563 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ok, I'll toss in my 2 cents. ;p It is a well known, established fact that smoking impairs the healing process for the small blood vessels. So the doctor operates, knowing full well that it is a waste of time and money since the tissue will not heal properly. What has been gained? I believe that the doctor is being very frank and candid with the fisherman. Doctors can only do so much to help people. The patients need to realize that they have to contribute something to the process. I read a true story of a surgical intern. His speciality was reattaching body parts, fingers, toes, etc.. A carpenter came in. His thumb on his right hand (he was right handed) was cut off with a power saw. He was a smoker. The doctor told him of the risks. The patient swore up and down that he would quit smoking if he could get his thumb back. The intern had to convince the resident he was studying under. The resident finally agreed. The surgery was done and it was a success. The man finally went home. He progressed well. A couple of weeks went by and he came rushing in to see the doctor. Overnight the thumb had turned dark and was dying. The doctor asked the man if he had smoked. He hung his head. Now what do you think this doctor is going to do from now on with other smokers that he gets for patients? If a smoker who is seeking medical care is told that he/she must stop smoking or their life will be in eminent danger or the procedure they need will fail, then quit or get the hell out of the doctors office and stop wasting his time. I realize that a lot of smokers who have heart/lung problems see doctors regularly and still smoke. Transplants and surgeries are an entirely different catagory. You just won't heal if you smoke. All the doctor does is want the fisherman to quit for 6 lousy months. The guy won't quit. Tough s*it for the fisherman. End of story. :8|: [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 273 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,847 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $668.85 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B
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18 years ago 0 563 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Penitent, Oh, another good one!! Yep, all those fat a$$ people SHOULD pay for 2 seats on a plane! I've been crushed next to a few and it's disgusting! Great thought there Penitent!! (I love how topics can change in midstream here! :p ) [b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color] [color=black]Joe[/color] [size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size] [size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 274 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,856 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $671.3 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 47 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52
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18 years ago 0 2027 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
A correlating event from real life: My wife was diagnosed with a very large fibroid tumor about 4 years ago. The doctor (a surgeon) wanted to take it out right away, as in schedule surgery the next day. He gave a list of bad things that could happen if she waited, the thing becoming cancerous being high up there. She asked him about alternative treatments which, of course, he knew nothing about. We left without scheduling the surgery because my insurance would required a second opinion. The next day we recieved a letter from him "firing" us as patients because we "didn't respect his opinion" among other reasons. I looked up his record on the state's Board of Medical Examiners website and found he'd had numerous problems in the past. Got the feeling that he wanted "sheep" patients who would do as he said without question or thought. Perhaps that's the case with this doctor, too. He's covering his own rear end. In my previous posts I was assuming he was competent. That may not be the case. Shevie P.S. She lived with it fine for 3 1/2 years before having it removed by an excellent surgeon. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 267 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,349 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1014.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32
18 years ago 0 2027 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Redrosie, here's the scenario: The doctor has advised the patient that the outcome could be less than positive if the patient continues to smoke. The doctor has offered to assist with smoking cessation prior to the surgery. The patient has refused that assistance and desires the surgery while still smoking. The doctor has done all he can do to provide the patient with the best possible chance of success, but the patient has refused and wishes the treatment even though the patient's actions may jeapordize the outcome. That is informed consent. The patient does not have a legal leg to stand on (bad pun intended) if the treatment goes arwy because of the smoking. The doctor would require the patient to sign an informed consent form prior to the treatment, just to protect himself. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 266 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,321 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1010.8 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 27 [B]Seconds:[/B] 44
18 years ago 0 2027 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
This is an interesting topic, redrosie. I feel the doctor has the right to first insist that any impediment to proper healthcare be removed before continuing a course of treatment, as long as the removal process does not endanger the patient. This is especially true if the patient will have life-time benefits from the removal (i.e. smoking, weight, drinking, etc.). The doctor should give the patient every reasonable opportunity to comply with the doctor�s advice. But if the patient refuses or is unable to comply in a timely manner (or at all), then I think that falls into the realm of informed consent. At that point the doctor should comply with the patient�s wishes and proceed with the treatment. This is the same answer I would have given when I smoked. Even then I was anti-smoking, I just hadn�t figured out how to stop. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 265 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,310 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1007 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 49
18 years ago 0 1115 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I just love the SSC �discussions�. Great idea Redrosie. My mom had to have surgery for the blockage in her carotid arteries when she was 60 years old. She had smoked since her early 20s. The doctor who was most renowned for this surgery in our area refused to operate on anyone who smoked. Mom�s personal doctor had given her this information. When she went for the consultation, she checked non-smoker on the form. The surgery was set up for 3 days later. She walked out of the doctor�s office and has never smoked another cigarette. She is now 77, active in her church, belongs to a dance club and a seniors� exercise group. The fisherman has the option to go to another doctor. Personally, I believe the doctor has the right to deny treatment when he feels the patient isn�t physically stable enough for the operation. Shevie�s idea about a consent form is a good one. I just don�t know if a surgeon should be forced to perform an operation he/she isn�t comfortable performing. Not cravin', never cavin'. Hummy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/5/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 285 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,422 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1852.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 37 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37
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18 years ago 0 296 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I think those in the medical profession should treat the sick! In the UK we have the National Health Service which, as a tax payer, I contribute to. Therefore, if I need medical treatment, regardless of whether I smoke or am overweight.....I should get it! Rachel :) One year, eleven months, two weeks, 21 hours, 23 minutes and 43 seconds. 14297 cigarettes not smoked, saving �3,217.01. Life saved: 7 weeks, 15 hours, 25 minutes.
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18 years ago 0 407 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
As the past here will tell you...I never lack for wanting to give my opinion. Now, the doctor can treat who he choses. Knowing full well that infact smoking does impair the healing process, the doctor is doing this gentleman a favor by asking him to quit prior to surgery. This happened to me when I drank like a fish and the doctor told me that he would no longer treat me if I continued as he did not want to have me die from internal bleeding. I came home, reflected on his ultimatium and never took another drink. A threat ever once in a while is good for us. Especially when it is well intended as with the good doctor above. You and I are both living examples that we can quit when we have suffered enough where we are. He can too. Lindsey [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/10/2001 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1616 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 96,990 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $16160 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 333 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 44
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18 years ago 0 2534 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Treat the sick and move on or get that fat doctor to pay for TWO seats on the plane. Self-righteous Tosser! Penitent d636
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