Laura J. Davis

One year ago, I began a quest to get my doctor to listen to me. I have been fighting an infection in my leg that sometimes requires I.V. antibiotics and homecare because it gets quite dangerous. As the infection continued without relief from the antibiotics, I noticed that my leg was getting bigger in the area of the infection. It was harder and  larger, making it difficult for me to bend my leg and of course walk.

Every time I went to my doctor he would look at my leg and say, "I don't see an infection, there is nothing there. Both your legs look the same." But I knew something was there, so I went to a walk-in clinic. The doctor there said, "This has to come out right away." She sent me to a surgeon. He said, "This has to come out right away." Neither one of them said what "it" was. The surgeon referred me to a plastic surgeon,who without seeing me, said, "This is not covered by OHIP and I won't take it out." Another plastic surgeon was contacted. He said the same thing, without seeing me. I went back to my doctor, who once again insisted that there was nothing there and also told me that if I ever went to a walk-in clinic again, he would dump me as a patient.

As time went on, my infected leg continued to grow large and my doctor continued to ignore my complaints, until I finally had to take my husband with me to insist that the doctor at least get an xrayof my leg or an ultrasound. After Jim's visit, I was sent for an ultrasound which confirmed what we both knew all along -  I had an infection and my doctor finally agreed to send me to another surgeon.

The surgeon was appalled that I had been suffering for so long, especially because the growth I had on my leg (which seemed to be visible to everyone but my doctor) was a tumour.  He has sent off a note to my doctor advising him that I need to see an orthepedic surgeon as soon as possible (not a plastic surgeon). That was two weeks ago. I still haven't heard from my doc. I'm beginning to wonder if I ever will. I plan to call him first thing on Monday to see how he wiggles out of this one.

I don't know why I had to go through this for so long, but God knows. He also knows when and if I will ever see a surgeon. Only He knows the outcome of what the doctors will find. Only He can see my life as it is supposed to unfold and I take great comfort in that.

This Christmas, if you are going through personal struggles of your own, remember that the God who created you is aware of them and will never leave you nor forsake you. You can count on Him to see you through difficult times. Why? Because He loves you with an everlasting love. And that brings me, as it should you, great comfort.

Have a Merry Christmas!