Inspired by V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #73: Whole

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I am a whole person, I should have said to her. Look at me. Hear me.

The doctor in her white coat stood in front of the ever present laptop typing furiously as I spoke…trying to convince her to prescribe several weeks of antibiotics as a preventative measure for Lyme Disease.

I’m not just the tick bite victim, I also should have said. Or a statistic to fit neatly into your column on “how to treat.” 

Of course, I didn’t think of these profound statements until later. When I was driving home and my controlled calm turned to anger.

I had my own statistics and studies to quote – to back up my request – but she would have none of it. She had her numbers and studies and her…reputation as the head of the medical practice. Avoiding antibiotics, even as a short term preventative was her mantra.

The tick that bit me 2 weeks ago tested positive for 2 types of Lyme. I paid $50 to have it tested. She brushed the report aside, explaining…I just assume all ticks around here have Lyme. It wasn’t on you long enough and you got the single dose of doxy right after.

But can you guarantee I won’t get it? But what if I am the exception…as I usually am?…I countered.

Back to her laptop. More typing. The power dynamic firmly in place. She stood as I sat. She paced. Clearly exasperated with my unwillingness to just agree to wait and see if I get the disease. The often chronic, disabling disease.

She knows I already have several chronic conditions…but her focus is just on this one piece of me. This one sliver of data.

There is a cure you know…she offers.

I don’t want to risk getting sick in the first place. I did say that.

After 45 minutes of debate…she extended a “compromise”…10 days of antibiotics.

I hope and pray that’s enough.

Time will tell.