Sad Day

[Dr Yiot]

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Today was ruff, I just heard that the neurosurgeon I shadowed and who wrote me a letter of recomendation, at 50 years old just had to stop working because he was recently diagnosed with parkinsons. I can't believe this, he is the nicest guy in the world and really helped me out. He even opened my eyes to osteopathic medicine and suggested I apply even though he was an MD. I am just in shock. Maybe you guys in the Pre-Osteo could throw out a quick prayer. He has 4 kids.

Seriously, if parkinsons disease was a real person, I would punch him or her in the FACE.

 

[99redballoons]

I'd kick him in his naughty bits, then I would not worry cause your doctor friend can get disability. Then he can look for a job teaching medical school. That is actually how I plan on retiring from surgery.

 

[UBCvan]

poor guy...after all those years of under grad, medicine, residency (esp. neurosurg) he didn't get much time to practice.!!

 

[Torr]

poor guy...after all those years of under grad, medicine, residency (esp. neurosurg) he didn't get much time to practice.!!

I agree. Couldn't imagine having to stop practicing at 50.

Sad news.

Today brought me bad news as well. Just found out my boss, who has become a close friend, has cancer. When someone close gets diagnosed with something like this just makes you think...

 

[Colbare]

That's sad, a doc I work with in internal med was diagnosed about a year ago and is still working. He stays really active playing tennis and indoor soccer which helps him tremendously. It's tough to see him take longer and longer with his patients. He's generally at least an hour behind all the time. I don't think he'll work a whole lot longer which sucks because he's one of only 2/5 I work with who really cares about people. I think he's in his later 50's and also has 4 kids :/

That's really all of a sudden with him. Do you think he's had it awhile and just wasn't diagnosed?

 

[tkim]

I'd kick him in his naughty bits, then I would not worry cause your doctor friend can get disability. Then he can look for a job teaching medical school. That is actually how I plan on retiring from surgery.

You don't kow much about disability then.

 

[99redballoons]

You don't kow much about disability then.

lol, I know plenty about disability. He will receive funds according to the amount of money he has made on average. That will be plenty in order to live.

 

[ruiner]

I agree. Couldn't imagine having to stop practicing at 50.

Sad news.

Today brought me bad news as well. Just found out my boss, who has become a close friend, has cancer. When someone close gets diagnosed with something like this just makes you think...

Not to take away but what exactly "makes you think?"

 

[JaggerPlate]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't know if it helps, but I know two physicians in similar situations:

1. My old neighbor was a Internist who ran a general adult practice and ended up with some sort of neurological issue (he never really explained it to us fully) and suffers from hand numbness. Because of this, he can't practice, but, like someone else said, he receives (apparently) a significant amount from disability.

2. I know another doc who was actually diagnosed with parkinson's at a young(ish) age as well, and he stopped clinical practice and went into administration. He's doing really well.

Hopefully, a scenario similar to one of these will work out for your doc. I wish him all the best.

 

[tkim]

lol, I know plenty about disability. He will receive funds according to the amount of money he has made on average. That will be plenty in order to live.

This assumes he has adequate coverage in his own specialty. As for plenty in order to live - you have no idea what this guy's debt load is. Do you?

 

[MightyMoose]

This assumes he has adequate coverage in his own specialty. As for plenty in order to live - you have no idea what this guy's debt load is. Do you?

+1



OP, sorry to hear about your friend/letter writer (as well as others in this thread who know others in this situation). I have often worried about this very issue... I had a doc in a few UG courses who was going back to school to get a teaching certificate. He was an anesthesiologist who found out he had Parkinson's in his early 40's and had to stop practicing. He's a great guy and it was really sad to see. Especially considering the course of the disease... Things aren't going to get any easier for him.

 

[NurWollen]

Reminds me of a neurologist my mom once treated who had to stop practicing because of Huntington's disease. So sad.

 

[Kgizzle]

Sorry to hear this man, PD sucks cause its progressive. I wish him all the best of luck

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I'm very sorry =(. PD is a bitch, but every year they're developing more effective treatments which can help mitigate the effects significantly, such as the method known as deep brain stimulation. While this probably still means that he's not going to be able to do surgery.. he can still always go into highly specialized research or teach and probably live a good life.

 

[Torr]

Not to take away but what exactly "makes you think?"

It was along the lines of having someone so close diagnosed with severe illnesses makes you think about your own health and mortality. It was very unexpected.

 

[onakasuita11]

Dr Yiot- Is this doctor you speak of in New Jersey? My mom is a nurse on the neuroscience unit at a hospital and told me a few weeks ago about this guy because he's constantly on her floor. I'm guessing it's the same person because of the age and number of kids.

It's so sad and I couldn't believe it. What a poor way to have to stop practicing.

 

[Dr Yiot]

That's sad, a doc I work with in internal med was diagnosed about a year ago and is still working. He stays really active playing tennis and indoor soccer which helps him tremendously. It's tough to see him take longer and longer with his patients. He's generally at least an hour behind all the time. I don't think he'll work a whole lot longer which sucks because he's one of only 2/5 I work with who really cares about people. I think he's in his later 50's and also has 4 kids :/

That's really all of a sudden with him. Do you think he's had it awhile and just wasn't diagnosed?

I don't think so man. He seemed fine when I saw

I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't know if it helps, but I know two physicians in similar situations:

1. My old neighbor was a Internist who ran a general adult practice and ended up with some sort of neurological issue (he never really explained it to us fully) and suffers from hand numbness. Because of this, he can't practice, but, like someone else said, he receives (apparently) a significant amount from disability.

2. I know another doc who was actually diagnosed with parkinson's at a young(ish) age as well, and he stopped clinical practice and went into administration. He's doing really well.

Hopefully, a scenario similar to one of these will work out for your doc. I wish him all the best.

Well what's difficult is he really cared about people and his patients. He is the most kind hearted guy I've met. Just watching him interact with his patients, their families and the staff of the hospitol, you could tell he was really loved. Hopefully he can end up like some of the physicians uve mentioned.

+1



OP, sorry to hear about your friend/letter writer (as well as others in this thread who know others in this situation). I have often worried about this very issue... I had a doc in a few UG courses who was going back to school to get a teaching certificate. He was an anesthesiologist who found out he had Parkinson's in his early 40's and had to stop practicing. He's a great guy and it was really sad to see. Especially considering the course of the disease... Things aren't going to get any easier for him.

True, I could see him teaching.
Thanks for all of your responses and support everyone. Means a lot. I hope we cure this disease soon. It makes me want to go into neuroscience research that's for sure

 

[Sinfest]

Horrible news. Sorry to hear that buddy 🙁