Let’s Play the “Ology” Game
How many ologists have you seen?
Looking back over my past medical history, reminds me of a board game. In the center is the “Primary Care Physician” and then, swimming separately like continents in a vast, dark sea are all the specialists I’ve visited.
Neurologist. Psychologist. Gynecologist(s). Rheumatologist. Gastroenterologist(s). Pulmonologist. Not to mention several surgeons.
How many ologists have you seen?
A New “Path”
Last Thursday, I met with Dr. Sarah Lobisco. As a Naturopathic Doctor, she combines traditional and alternative medicine. I came to see her with completed medical history forms she had given me before the visit and we sat and spoke. Unlike all my previous doctor visits, where one particular concern is dissected and examined, Dr. Sarah saw me as a whole unit. Like a jeweler, she strung all the pearls of me together to form a necklace of me. Instead of my different systems and organs being different planets, they formed a universe that danced among the stars in synchronicity.
Prior to this, I have seen alternative practitioners, who also saw me as a whole, but their philosophies stem from a non traditional perspective. What amazed me about Dr. Sarah, is how she combined different points of view including traditional medicine.
At the end of our consultation, Dr. Sarah made several suggestions that I’m implementing. My hope is to heal the ongoing tummy concerns that I’ve had for most of my life.
The Excitement: Continued
Then, on Wednesday evening, I went to see Dr. Sarah speak at the Saratoga Springs Public Library as part of a SIMEN program. She put together an excellent talk including video of other equally interesting practitioners, including a child prodigy who spoke with unbridled passion about the future of medicine and solving diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.
The well-attended program – there had to be more than 100 people there! — explained the nature of Naturopathic Medicine, integrative medicine and other complementary alternative medicine, or CAM. It was genuinely amazing to hear and feel the response of the people around me who, like me, want better care. I think that we, as a nation are waking up and realizing that we don’t want another prescription, we don’t want a bandage, and we don’t want a diagnosis built upon getting insurance coverage for services. We want to heal. We want to be well.
Inspired
Today, I went to the supermarket on a mission. Unlike my usual visit to the Bermuda Triangle more commonly known as the supermarket, this visit had punch. I had a job to do: find organic, buy vegetables, buy meals that are easy to make. Too often, I resort to soup or breakfast cereal at the end of a long day when I’m tired and don’t feel like washing another utensil.
Lo and behold, was I heartened when the rows of “organic vegetables” beckoned. I partook: yellow, red and orange peppers, cucumbers, mixed field greens, and carrots were my choices du jour. Meats were a little more difficult, though I found that the chicken tenders were clearly marked “no hormones.”
So, guess what I had for early dinner? The big salad: greens, peppers, cukes, carrots, seeds, croutons, craisins, 3 bean salad, and some nice natural Italian dressing. Yum yum!
Stay tuned!
