Dr. Thompson's Blog

Problems when Single Seniors Want to Live with Family Members or Try It

I remember the day when my older, widowed brother visited and said he thought he would like to live with me. We had always been good friends, even though he was considerably older than I was. I was startled and realized I had to say "no". My brother had been an excellent hospital administrator, but after a terrible experience in World War II for which he received no medical help, he  had become a recluse socially with little interest in anything but his two dogs, and watching television. He also slept strange hours and was often up until one or two am. I gently said I was afraid it would not work and after we discussed the problem, he agreed. I was greatly relieved. Since then I have heard some really heart breaking tales of older individuals who sold their homes and moved in with a son or daughter and their partner or family. Two daughter-in-laws come to mind:  they have been emotionally abusive to their husband's mother or father. One woman even took her father-in-law to a hospital emergency room in a wheel chair and left him with a note saying she could no longer care for him.  I think the woman was ultimately prosecuted. 

As seniors are living longer and longer, I think they need to make plans for what they will do in their declining years. Group homes are fine for some, but others would hate it. Money can also be a problem. I don't think it is fair to expect a son or daughter to be your caretaker or to move in with them and their partner or family. I remember my father-in law saying two parents can take care of six children, but six children usually will not take care of two parents.  He was a wise man. So if possible, I think all seniors need to make plans to keep busy and active and lead their own lives for as long as they can and not be too dependent on their children or other family members.

The Consequences of the Alabama Abortion Ban

I shudder when I think of pregnant teenagers, the women too poor to  have another child and a woman who has been raped and become pregnant. To me children are very special, but to think of any child being raised in a foster home, being unwanted or abused makes my blood curl. The pro-life people think they are doing something wonderful to be sure a child will be born. But what about a child who is unwanted, the child of a teenage single  girl who has no maturity or ability to care for a child? I have seen patients like all of these. The pregnant teenage girls I cared for when I was in private pediatric practice where not even grown up themselves. Their parents would have kicked them out if they had known they were pregnant. What would  the girls have done then? Would they have become homeless, become prostitutes, or married a rich older man and been miserable.  It is fine for the pro-life people to stand on their principles. No one loves children more than I do. But these pro-life people don't seem to know or understand the consequences of a child who is unwanted, the mother who can't support another child or a woman who  has been raped and unable to  care for a baby. I wish the pro-life people could talk with some of these individuals.

As Trump is determined to get rid of the Affordable Health Care Act, reduce  funding for Medicaid, food stamps, and every other form of social support, these woman and teenagers  will have an even harder time if they are forced to have a baby they cannot care for. 

Tragic Problems with Some Medical Devices

An article in the New York Times on 5/5/19 was frightening. The title was " 80,000 Deaths. 2 Million Injuries. It's Time for Reckoning on Medical Devices." There have been multiple lawsuits, particularly about pelvic mesh. It said that "most of these medical devices were approved for market with nearly no clinical data." It also said that "most medical devices are poorly vetted before their release into the marketplace and poorly monitored after the fact." I guess the medical devices lobbyists  have been very busy and successful! Fortunately, the F.D.A pulled the vaginal mesh products from the market last month. The article went on to say that some metal hips, defibrillators and artificial heart valves have caused problems. Other pieces of equipment used in operating rooms  have also caused problems. It makes you  want to stay far away from doctors and hospitals. Money has become so important in the U.S.and morals seem to be lacking more and more. That leaves all of us as patients at risk. I think you have to careful research physicians and hospitals. There are still some wonderful doctors, but having had a recent experience with a doctor I would call a technician and not a doctor, I have become even more cautious. Fortunately, I survived his atrocious surgical care and will ever see him again. Sadly, good doctors often recommend a  colleague or partner and have no idea how he or she practices. 

Despite all the lawsuits against them, the medical device industry  earns about 400 billion dollars annually. I find that amazing and tragic. They seem to care more about making money than saving lives and helping patients.