A Really Good Doctor

[Davis Knowlton]

About two hours ago, I had one of the part-time workers on my wife's small farm come by my house. Long story short, his young wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer - biopsy came back Thursday. Free hospital in Manila did the examination and biopsy, but that's all they will do. They simply have too many cases. If they would do surgery, if required, it would be a wait of months. Chemo, if required, is not possible -----too much need, too little equipment. So this guy and his wife, who had to borrow bus fare just to go to Manila, are screwed.

On a really long shot, and doubting I would get him on Easter weekend, I called a big-time doctor/surgeon I know. He works in the two best hospitals in Manila, but devotes at least two or three days a week to public, free hospitals. Amazingly, I got him on the phone, explained the situation as I knew it, and asked him if he had any ideas about possible options.

Response: Send her in to see me Monday, early, early before I start surgery, and let me do a thorough examination and see what we're dealing with. If I confirm the diagnosis, I'll do the surgery - I can find an OR someplace. If she needs chemo as a follow-up, I'm sure I can sort it someplace. (I'm babbling thanks at this point.) No worries, pare, it's what I do. Just have her in here by 5AM Monday.

Now that is a great doctor! As long as I've known him, he works about 16 hours a day, much of it for free. Still some amazing folks around!!!

[aging one]

A great human being as well. Well done Davis and best of luck to the young lady.

[Kwang]

Nice one Davis. I hope they have found it at an early stage. Best wishes

[nidhogg]

About two hours ago, I had one of the part-time workers on my wife's small farm come by my house. Long story short, his young wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer - biopsy came back Thursday. Free hospital in Manila did the examination and biopsy, but that's all they will do. They simply have too many cases. If they would do surgery, if required, it would be a wait of months. Chemo, if required, is not possible too much need, too little equipment. So this guy and his wife, who had to borrow bus fare just to go to Manila, are screwed.

On a really long shot, and doubting I would get him on Easter weekend, I called a big-time doctor/surgeon I know. He works in the two best hospitals in Manila, but devotes at least two or three days a week to public, free hospitals. Amazingly, I got him on the phone, explained the situation as I knew it, and asked him if he had any ideas about possible options.

Response: Send her in to see me Monday, early, early before I start surgery, and let me do a thorough examination and see what we're dealing with. If I confirm the diagnosis, I'll do the surgery - I can find an OR someplace. If she needs chemo as a follow-up, I'm sure I can sort it someplace. (I'm babbling thanks at this point.) No worries, pare, it's what I do. Just have her in here by 5AM Monday.

Now that is a great doctor! As long as I've known him, he works about 16 hours a day, much of it for free. Still some amazing folks around!!!

I have known many, many doctors - while some are, without doubt arseholes, many are truely caring and giving people.

Wish the young lady in question all the best.

[Bettyboo]

Yes, agree with the OP and other posters; geat doctor here, a humanist.

I know a doctor here who walks past car crashes and accidents because of insurance worries and it's not his job... so great to see a proper doctor.

[larvidchr]

A great human being as well. Well done Davis and best of luck to the young lady.

Ditto, - good job DK

[Loy Toy]

She's lucky to have a friend like you Davis.

God on ya mate and I hope everything goes well for the young lady.

[terry57]

On ya Davis good work.

The thing, is its a really bad situation where one could possibly die if not connected with people in the know.

Way life is I suppose if one is not cashed up or holds insurance.

[Davis Knowlton]

She's lucky to have a friend like you Davis.

I've actually never met the lady, but I like her style. She just sent her husband back over here with a bag of sweet corn. Good on her.

This doc is a pretty amazing guy - I just don't know where he finds the hours in the day.

[ltnt]

Obviously he showed up at the right house on the right day and found some compassion. Thanks for utilizing your resources. Not many would do so.

Sadly, there are probably hundreds without such assistance in PI. He won the lotto!

[crocman]

Mate that is superman style on both your parts

[nidhogg]

Obviously he showed up at the right house on the right day and found some compassion. Thanks for utilizing your resources. Not many would do so.

Indeed. and Kudos to davis for making the call.

He won the lotto!

Well, except for the bit about his wife having breast cancer of course......

[DrAndy]

I have met many doctors and many of those were as helpful as this guy

a great profession

[Albert Shagnastier]

Quality work from both of you, hope all goes well.

My Dad's girlfriend just got the all clear. Hopefully in the future it will be a lot more common to have selfless qualified doctors available when such a situation occurs.

[Marmite the Dog]

I know a doctor here who walks past car crashes and accidents because of insurance worries and it's not his job... so great to see a proper doctor.

More a case of the society he lives in being fucked, sadly.

[OhOh]

This doc is a pretty amazing guy - I just don't know where he finds the hours in the day.

Not just the doc.

The locals obviously feel they can approach you, see you as someone who might be able to help and lastly you made the phone call to someone who could, and did help.

[nedwalk]

all that has been said here are my sentiments as well, its good to hear a stroy like this one every now and then, keep us informed mate on the lady;s journey..good on ya

[kingwilly]

Great stuff mate, thanks for sharing.

I hope the young lady will be ok as well, she certainly has a better chance now.

[Bogon]

Nice one Davis.
You seem like one of the good guys around here.

Sorry I didn't reply back to your PM the other day. You finished it yet?

[Davis Knowlton]

^Been a bit busy. Little over 1/2 way at this point. Enjoying it....

[Davis Knowlton]

Thanks for all the good wishes for this young lady. Breast cancer diagnosis unfortunately confirmed. My doc is going to try chemo first, and try to hold off on any surgical options for now. It looks like he has a chemo option sorted, and in one of the hospitals down here so they don't have to go back and forth to Alabang or Manila. So, it's now up to her body, and how it responds to the chemo. Thanks again to all!

[Davis Knowlton]

A sad post, but some posters had asked for periodic updates. Further testing has determined that the lady's breast cancer is very advanced and, while the doctor is going to do what he can, her chances of survival are looking very poor. Sorry I don't have a happier report.

[Ozcol]

That is so sad, but at least thanks to you she had the best chance she was ever going to get

[Davis Knowlton]

It's a sad fact that it is the very poor who always wait too long, either for fear of doctors, or lack of funds.

[Malicious]

Sad story, lack of funds made her wait too long.