Let me tell you, it is some work to get a suture needle through the tissue at the base of the ear.

I’m convinced that zebras appear more frequently than many, perhaps most, medical professionals conclude. There is a reason medicine is called an art, not a science and that doctors “engage in the practice of medicine” rather than the “performance of established perfection.” Given the number of variables involved it could be no other way.

And, your experience demonstrates the importance of being deeply involved in one’s own care and not taking “maybe” for an answer.

I was in IT for 35 years and very early came to greatly appreciate what I termed the “troll in the basement,” that lone person who had expansive knowledge and understanding of that particular function on that particular system, or the not commonly known quirks on the component I was specifying in a design, well above and beyond what was in the documentation or what others knew, who could comprehensively explain not just the “how” but also the “why.” My bacon was saved numerous times by searching for that person, no matter how difficult it might be, asking the right questions and heeding their recommendation.

Medical treatment is no different. I worry sometimes about those who don’t have the research, analytical and comprehension resources (or the time) necessary to keep digging for the correct answer and, for whatever reasons, are required to accept what is presented. Medicine, like IT, aeronautics or other very technical fields, is insular and resistant to outside influence, especially from Those Who Are Not Members Of The Cult. That barrier can be broken through, as you demonstrate, but often it’s Real Work and sometimes more work that can be successfully accomplished.

Risk takers/innovators often want to be their own bosses,
(and may not have a research interest or a teaching vocation–be more of a
“get ‘er done” kind of person. And do it my way!)

Anyway, the story is right. The Doctor acted immediately and with tremendous skill. YAY!

Jobe was a rare person and a great doctor.

I wrote about him previously in some detail in this post.

Not really in this case. Both doctors were supposedly experts. They agreed on the diagnosis and what needed to be done. The Boston doctor conveyed the idea that he wouldn’t be able to do it, however.

Mark was told the guy was the greatest sports orthopedic surgeon in the world, Dr. Frank Jobe. He saved my brother from years of misery with his quick actions and not caring that he was just visiting the practice field.

Mark was injured in the Spring, and he actually played rugby that Fall. (And it was world-class rugby—National Championships, rugby tours of Great Britain and Australia, etc.)

Jobe was wonderful. He was taking a big chance to help that afternoon.

I was excited to see his name here.