When Your Body Knows, But the Doctors Are Lost, Advocate for Yourself!

I am sick but I am hopeful because I am in no immediate danger. I will have some challenges soon, but I feel optimistic that all will be well. I recently went to urgent care because I felt faint while out shopping. The sensation was similar to what I felt 18 years ago when one of my lungs collapsed out of the blue, and I tried to convey that to the nurse practitioner on call. She diagnosed a virus and gave me antibiotics and prednisone to prevent bronchitis. After a week, I called and got an appointment with my doctor.

Two days ago, my doctor said my lungs were clear but ordered a chest X-ray, mainly because my husband was relentless in saying that something was not right. The x-ray confirmed a partial left lung collapse and fluid in the left lung, which I tried to explain to them. I am amazed that our bodies seem to have a form of “memory” and “know” a problem experienced before. I saw the results in the patient portal and am waiting to talk with the doctor.

As an older adult in my seventies and a black female, I was raised to never question doctors or “experts” who have degrees. Interestingly, my husband is the son of a doctor and was socialized to question them fiercely if necessary. He gets more from my doctors for me than I do, but he also is a white male.

I believe that we must be our own advocates and realize that doctors are humans. Today, medicine is like going to Kroger to shop for groceries, with many providers as nurse practitioners and doctor’s assistants. I think they can do well but with so many patients and given precisely 15 minutes, they don’t have time to listen to you explain that you remember feeling this way before. You know your body best, so continue to seek help until you find someone to listen. We are our best advocates!

Thank God that our bodies are resilient and marvelously made. They serve us well if we care for them, warning us that a problem needs addressing. Listen to your body, for it knows the music of your constant song. Even wrong notes from before the body remembers and seeks to get you well again so you can dance and play to the music that moves you and heals your soul.