82 – The Choice Before Me
I have taken some time to reflect on the choice confronting me.
I personally have a hesitancy to go ahead with a second operation. A new surgery effectively means starting all over again.
I’ve learned that this would probably involve a bone graft, and I find that it's essentially up to chance how successful that aspect of the surgery might be. Although doctors tend to shy away from informing you of the projected rate of success of a particular operation, when I put the trauma surgeon on the spot he confided that my chances of non-complications might be around 60%. That’s not that far away from a 50 – 50 chance.
You may have gathered that I am a bit fanatical when it comes to doctors. Sure, I know that these men who have examined me and offered their counsel are medical professionals, but I also know that they are just men trying their best. To make this decidion, I feel I need to get God’s counsel on this matter.
I also know full well this is a decision not to be taken lightly. Reflecting on what the doctors have said, I could end up having trouble walking or be crippled.
On the other hand, if my mashed potato bone isn’t strong enough to hold the pins of an external fixator, then why would it be strong enough to support an internal metal brace?
From my limited experience, it seems that doctors here in the States tend to lean heavily toward surgery, to fix the problem quick. Whereas in other countries where I’ve lived, there seems to be a greater belief in allowing time for things to heal.
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I personally have a hesitancy to go ahead with a second operation. A new surgery effectively means starting all over again.
I’ve learned that this would probably involve a bone graft, and I find that it's essentially up to chance how successful that aspect of the surgery might be. Although doctors tend to shy away from informing you of the projected rate of success of a particular operation, when I put the trauma surgeon on the spot he confided that my chances of non-complications might be around 60%. That’s not that far away from a 50 – 50 chance.
You may have gathered that I am a bit fanatical when it comes to doctors. Sure, I know that these men who have examined me and offered their counsel are medical professionals, but I also know that they are just men trying their best. To make this decidion, I feel I need to get God’s counsel on this matter.
I also know full well this is a decision not to be taken lightly. Reflecting on what the doctors have said, I could end up having trouble walking or be crippled.
On the other hand, if my mashed potato bone isn’t strong enough to hold the pins of an external fixator, then why would it be strong enough to support an internal metal brace?
From my limited experience, it seems that doctors here in the States tend to lean heavily toward surgery, to fix the problem quick. Whereas in other countries where I’ve lived, there seems to be a greater belief in allowing time for things to heal.
next chapter
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