Thankful for Today’s Medical Capabilities
While it could be a function of age, it seems as if recent years have been marked with operations and health issues for some of my friends and 
family members.
There have been several hip replacements, a few knee and Achilles tendon surgeries, a young neighbor living with MS, multiple Myeloma in two I know, and the list goes on.
And yet I think there is much to be thankful for. Each year progress is made in many areas that previously would have left the patient with severe life-altering results.
One of our friends had a stem cell treatment for a leg injury, and another is considering a stem cell treatment for his other Achilles tendon.
Larry had a torn rotator cuff last year. He had Arthroscopic surgery which is amazing. When the bandages were removed, all you could see were 5 little pinpricks where the surgeon went in.
But what I am most thankful for is the surgery he had this past August when he had a shunt inserted into his brain to help drain the fluid that was accumulating because of his Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
We have no idea how he got this. Some neurologists thought it may have been congenital. But however it came about, it left him with balance issues which impacted his walking and energy level.
Our neurosurgeon showed us the shunt as well as the magnet that he (Dr. Sachs) can use to adjust the flow. All he has to do is place it where the valve is and turn it. He said that improvements are always being made and these are surgeries that they now routinely perform.
For this reason alone, I am so very thankful for the advances we have in medicine and treatment today.
Yes, we have a long way to go but that will be said until the day comes when every injury, disease, or malady can be successfully treated.
Comments(43)