Elaine Holt - The Doctor Next Door

Praise for

The Doctor Next Door

This book is a refreshing compilation of stories about the true meaning of why many physicians choose to become doctors. Dr. Holt epitomizes compassion and bedside manner and emphasizes the importance of refocusing medicine away from science and back to the art of caring and being a doctor.

ANDREW JACONO, MD, FACS

In an era of impressive, but impersonal technology, Dr. Holt reminds us what is at the core of true healing: the patient/physician relationship. With inquiry, insight, and a dash of aplomb; her stories refresh the readers spirit, and give us hope that despite the augers, the human touch will remain the heart and soul of healing.

CHEF MICHAEL FENSTER, MD; The Food Shaman

It is true talent when a writer can take something as technical as medical science and make it engaging and inspirational for the reader. Dr. Holt brings that talent to life in The Doctor Next Door which she makes clear in her opening words that, 'real medicine isnt about science. Its about people and their stories...' And, she does that so well on every page whether she is sharing a vignette about a patient, their family, or even other medical staff.

DAVID MEZZAPELLE, Author of the bestselling Contagious Optimism book series

The Doctor Next Door

by Elaine Holt, M.D.

Copyright 2018 Elaine Holt, M.D.

ISBN 978-1-63393-576-1

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the author.

Author Photo 2017 Anya Day, AnyaFoto LLC. All rights reserved.

Published by

210 60th Street

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

800-435-4811

www.koehlerbooks.com

For Alexandra and Isabelle

NOTE TO THE READER

I hope that you will enjoy these patient encounters as much as I did, and I hope that you will learn from them the same way that I have tried to. I have changed all patient names and identifying characteristics to preserve confidentiality. All of the dialogue included in this book has been reconstructed by me through my memory of the events so it is unlikely to represent verbatim conversations.

I have, however, tried to stay true to the shared feelings and dynamics of the relationships revealed and have done my best to invite you into some memorable experiences. At times I have merged encounters that in fact may have occurred years apart and have taken some creative liberties in the interest of storytelling. Please know that, above all, I am grateful to the patients who have shared and who continue to share their lives with me and it is through them that I have grown wiser.

INTRODUCTION

Most doctors go into medicine with good intentions. They want to help people. I was no different. However, I had no idea that Id end up getting as much from my patients as Id be giving to them. You see, real medicine isnt about science. Its about people and their stories.

The Doctor Next Door is a collection of stories based on my decades of Internal Medicine practice. It celebrates the doctor-patient relationship, personal relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit. My hope is that these extraordinary stories of ordinary people will inspire you, as theyve inspired me.

As a solo practitioner swimming against the tide of corporatized medicine, I believe in the intimacy of the doctor-patient bond and Ive based my career on its enduring strength.

Now, you might be wondering who I am. My patients refer to me as a modern day throwback to the small-town doctor.

I was raised in a family who believed in keeping elderly relatives at home as their health, minds, and bodies declined. As a result, when it came time to assess what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had only to reflect on what Id already becomea caregiver. I had been a feeder to an aging grandparent, preparing meals and spoon-feeding for as long as I can remember. Fortunately, I didnt have a naysaying guidance counselor or meddling parent telling me that my choice didnt make sense.

After completing my residency training in Internal Medicine in New York City, I embarked on my career as a private practice physician and have spent the last seventeen years as a custodian of patients and their stories.

A while back I found out that one of my patients, a priest, had just accepted a position at a new parish. Not knowing whether this was a promotion of sorts in his line of work, I said, Father, congratulations on the new parish... Its quite a career accomplishment.

He replied, Oh, I dont really think of it as a career. Its more like a calling, you understand.

Reflecting on my own choices, I answered, I think I do.

CHAPTER ONE

THERES NOTHING YOU
CANT RECOVER FROM...

I was sitting with a friend

In a drugstore parking lot

We were waiting for another

In this designated spot.

Each of us discouraged

About the station of our life

Himconcern about his future

Mea relationship in strife.

When he, a wise and thoughtful soul

said I have advice. Ill give you some.

Dont be afraid of what will be

Theres nothing you cant recover from.

This thought was said with nonchalance

Long conceived by him as fact.

A concept not yet known to me

Insight into this I lacked.

Dont stay in stale relationships

Cause youre afraid of what wont be

Know that after the initial hurt

A stronger you youll see.

If your job is unfulfilling

And your outlook has grown bleak

Theres nothing you cant recover from.

A new job you should seek

I reflect back on that time

A lightbulb moment then was flashed

Theres nothing you cant recover from.

All future fears at once were dashed.

***

I was working in a group practice at the time in which each doctor functioned on his or her personal island. Each physician had his/her own receptionist or scheduler and a nurse representative. Of course, it would have been more cost-effective to share the staff and stagger schedules, but the group was about as cohesive as a pack of wild dogs. To prevent our inevitable in-fighting, we created multiple distinct offices in one. There were so many staffers, we wordlessly walked down hallways turning sideways when passing one another to avoid any accidental physical contact. But, ironically, in the interest of cost-containment, we rented a small office space with narrow corridors and a single bathroom. Go figure.

Believe it or not, we existed for years like this and were able to somewhat seamlessly service the local community and suppress our pathologies long enough to sign out clinical concerns at the end of the shift. This aseptic sign-out was as close as we came to speaking. I know how absurd this must sound, but doctors can be strong-willed characters addicted to having a say just for the sake of it. You dont make it through the rigors of medical school and residency by being the shy, retiring type.

So, distinct, colorful personalities of different generations, genders, and cultures tried to unite in too small an office space for the sake of treating the local community. Tensions ran high.