When God Speaks

Ever hear of the Hippocratic Oath? This is an oath taken by doctors stating in a nutshell that they will do no harm. Doctors heal. This ability is as close to God-like as it gets. To heal is a big responsibility and should never be taken lightly. Along with promising to not do harm comes the matter of money. It is not supposed to ever be about money, but today it seems as though it is. Don’t get me wrong. It costs money to practice medicine and cannot be offered free especially if someone has the means to pay, but there are times when the means just isn’t there. Then what? Indigent clinics, pro-bono doctors, so to speak, the free clinic, health department? These places are wonderful and much needed, but the demand and supply numbers are continents apart.

I praise those doctors that give their time away free, but let’s be honest who wants to be seen by a doctor donating free time? Usually, they are bone tired. After working a full day plus they run to the clinic to offer their services free of charge. I would wonder if they are sharp and focused and no one needs to worry about that when sick.

Getting back to the oath taken by all doctors, I want to share a story with you about a man I didn’t know that went above and beyond. When thinking of the oath doctors take to heal and do no harm, this man took it seriously and if there were a poster child/face for this oath, he would be the face of it. The most generous, true, selfless doctor I have ever encountered.

I awoke one morning and as I walked to the bathroom, I fell. Just fell. No reason, nothing in my path, but I fell to my knees. I shoved it to the back of my mind and dismissed it as a fluke. A few days later in the afternoon I fell again. My legs just buckled and down I went without warning of any kind. That one wasn’t dismissed as quickly as the first one, but shortly thereafter it happened again. My husband ask me to hold something while he nailed it to the wall. When I reached to do this my legs began to shake and down I went. There was a problem and I was terrified.

After consulting with several doctors and having 3 MRI’s done (neck, lower back, and middle back) I was told there was nothing wrong with me. I was faking this in order to obtain pain medication was one answer I got. What? Walking like someone drunk to get pain medicine was something my pride would not allow plus I had no pain and told them this, but that was the verdict I received. I didn’t know what to do. After seeing my regular doctor a couple months later he sent me to a specialist across the way from his office. By this time, I had to have help getting to and from places and a cane which did little good. When your legs buckle a cane does nothing but get in the way.

I immediately went to his office and after 10 minutes or so I was called back. Keep in mind I had no insurance at the time and money was tight. I handed my scans to the nurse and as I was walking to the room she had my scans on the board. The doctor came in a few minutes later and asked if I had someone with me. I began sobbing and my husband was called back. This man, this doctor took one peek at my scans and immediately saw the problem. He informed me that a disc in my neck was pressing against my spinal cord cutting off blood flow and was at the point of severing my cord at which time I would be paraplegic for life. I must have emergency surgery now. He was so angered that no one had caught this and 3 months had passed. I was lucky. I told him my plight with insurance and money. He looked at me and told me that was not important. For me to call St Vincents Hospital and ask for paperwork to have this surgery done free. But, he said if they hesitate for me to come to the ER the following evening at St Vincents. He would be on call and he would perform my surgery then. Money not an option. This surgery had to be done or I would be a paraplegic. One wrong move and life would change drastically for me.

I did as he instructed and had my surgery done. Screws and a cadaver bone replaces what was removed. The hospital stay was amazing. I was treated like I owned the place and Dr. Mayer was a doctor that had a presence everyone admired and heeded his instructions. Everyone praised this man’s ability in medicine, his compassion, and his knowledge of the human anatomy. He was amazing. 15 years later all is well. This man never sent me a bill, nor did the hospital. This is the meaning of the Hippocratic Oath taken and expressed. I sent him a letter with my thankfulness and gratitude which I heard he framed and put up in his office.

I will never forget this man, this amazing doctor, this person that put life above money. Thanks to all Dr. Philip Mayer’s from Cullman, Alabama or from wherever you may be. You are the real heroes!! You make this world a better place.