Weird “”... but True
- “Well, I can tell you what this isn't. Go home and bathe in disinfectant.”
- First family doctor on first seeing Degos lesions.
- “You have no idea how exciting this is for us!!”
- Consultant Dermatologist.
- “Please get undressed and then we will show you to several hundred specialists. No need to feel nervous. You can have a cup of tea.”
- On being displayed at the Royal Society of Medicine, London.
- “We have no more conventional treatments to offer you. In any case, anything you may need from now on can be offered locally. Good Luck!”
- Specialist in capital city.
- “I am warning you: using the internet will bring you nothing of use. Leave it to the doctors. We are the experts.”
- First family doctor, on seeing printouts of info on Degos.
- “Ciclosporin? That is only ever used for transplant patients. I never heard of such a thing.”
- Same family doctor, on hearing that specialist dermatologist had prescribed the drug to suppress my immune system and so (maybe) stop the lesions appearing.
- “What do you want me to tell you that I haven't already said? I won't repeat myself, because it's boring. You are on your own.”
- Same FP, on being asked if there was anyone to whom I could turn for advice or support.
- “Go and ask your important friends up in London. I am just a humble GP with a seaside practice. Look where he has got to (referring to specialist he was at school with) and look where I am.”
- Same family doctor.
- “Herbal WHAT? I don't know anything about herbs except - what's that - er - St John's Wort, that's very bad. It's all witchcraft in any case.”
- Specialist dermatologist in London.
- “I'd just like Dr X to have a look at you. Amazing, isn't it, Dr X? Take a good look - you won't see anything like this again!”
- Said ad nauseam by doctors.
- “Degos disease? Mmmmm, yes, I see.”
- Doctor who has never heard of it.
- “Degos disease? Well, tell me all about it - after all, you're the expert! You know more than any of the doctors!”
- Doctor hoping to get out of having to research the disease for himself.
- “Oh, and do you have any references, internet sites? Maybe printouts?”
- Ditto.
Page last modified on 29 July, 2005
